Young people, leaders, role models and partners came together to celebrate our inaugural Levelling the Playing Field London Regional Awards on Wednesday 1 March at Decathlon in Canada Water.
Our London awards, organised with our strategic partners London Sport, were the first of four regional award events (South Yorkshire, West Midlands and Gwent are still to come). After the awards presentation, all attendees took part in yoga, virtual golf, BlazePod and tennis on the Decathlon store's rooftop court!
The regional winners go through to our 2023 national Levelling the Playing Field awards in July.
The awards brought together young people and leaders from the brilliant organisations in our network across the capital who use sport and physical activity to engage ethnically diverse children and achieve positive change.
All our partners work tirelessly to support and improve the wellbeing and life chances of their young people, with Levelling the Playing Field bringing them together to share good practice, train frontline staff and help all partners evidence their impact in order to scale up and advance future policy, practice and investment.
Our independent judging panel had a tough task to choose the winners of five awards from the list of deserving nominees. The winners were:
London Young Person of the Year: Josie Furness, London Thunder Basketball Club
Josie started in London Thunder's Levelling the Playing Field community sessions and has shown dedication and perseverance to become a key figure in generating more female participation at the club. She is now part of Basketball England's regional talent pathway. "She has been a shining light to getting other girls involved and a great example to kids at that level," said head coach Dejan Paunovic.
Role Model of the Year: Reahana Gordon, Fight 4 Change
Growing up, Reahana could see the front door of the Fight 4 Change gym from her bedroom window. Boxing and the 'safe place' and people she discovered there have become a massive part of her life. She is now a qualified coach and mentor, supporting young people from her own community. "To be able to give back to these young people and be a role model to them - let alone winning an award for it - is just unbelievable," she said.
Young Cohort of the Year: Street Soccer London
Brothers Yassin, Bechir and Hamza from Tunisia, Cledio, Eglesio and Uka from Albania (also brothers) and Mo are part of a cohort of asylum seekers. They have thrived in Street Soccer London's safe and friendly environment since being referred by local services. They speak very little English but have found each other through the language of football. They have played in tournaments, been taken to watch Crystal Palace matches, have been connected to education opportunities and, says coordinator Jack Badu, "they have brought a fantastic vibe to existing participants, staff, boot room and enrichment activities."
Partnership of the Year: Palace for Life Foundation and Street Soccer London
Two of our specialist partners joined forces to provide local children with extra opportunities: sharing staff, entering local tournaments, working in schools, taking local players to Crystal Palace matches and running girls-only sessions. "The more that football clubs can work with community groups like us who have a really good understanding of young people in our area, the deeper their impact can be," said Street Soccer London's Jack Badu (picture above with Palace for Life Foundation's Angel O'Dwyer).
Specialist Partner of the Year: Urban Yogis
Our panel awarded Urban Yogis 'Specialist Partner of the Year' in recognition of their incredible impact working with young people in the community, as well as in schools and prisons, using yoga as a vehicle to improve physical and mental health. Team manager Scott Arnott (pictured with London Sport Trustee Sally Benatar) said: "This is a massive recognition for the work the entire Urban Yogis team has done. We are really thrilled."
For a full gallery of images from the awards, see our Facebook page.