Sports Leaders UK Committed To 2012 Games Legacy Pledge
On 9 December 2010 Sports Leaders UK celebrated excellent progress towards its 2012 Games Legacy Pledge and recognised inspirational Sports Leaders at a special awards ceremony at the House of Lords. The event, which was attended by more than 100 dignitaries, MPs, and influential people, celebrated the success of the pledge one year on, and enabled tutors and Sports Leaders to highlight the impact and value of Sports Leaders UK qualifications in schools and communities across the UK. Paralympian and Sports Leaders UK Patron, Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE announced the winner of the Sports Leaders UK Volunteer of the Year 2010 Award at the event. 18 year old, Kevin Higgins from Dundee was selected from more than 70 nominees for his commitment to volunteering. He has put in more than 200 hours in the last two years with community football groups, summer camps and at Midnight League Football competitions, despite now working a 40 hour week as an apprentice electrician. There were two runners up, whose awards were presented by Sports Leaders UK’s Scottish Ambassador, Laura Pollock and Milton Keynes Ambassador, Kimberlee Aldred. These awards went to Jessica Burns, who unfortunately couldn’t be there to receive her award, and Jason Farr. 14 Sports Leaders were shortlisted for the awards, each recognised for going the ‘extra-mile’ and for their contribution to sport in their school/college or local community. These awards went to James Adams, Anthony Larby, Harry Organ, Alexander Thompson, Sarah Naylor, Jane Barclay, Barbara White, Michael Hadley, Scott Bennett, Lauren Dolbear, and William Chaplin. Chief Executive of Sports Leaders UK, Linda Plowright said: “The House of Lords event was a huge success, and enabled Sports Leaders UK to thank all those that have made a contribution to sports leadership and grassroots sport across the UK. “I’d like to congratulate all of the Sports Leaders nominated for the Sports Leaders UK Volunteer of the Year Award, and thank them for their commitment to sports leadership and volunteering. It is a vital part of the development and growth of every community, and Sports Leaders UK recognises the fantastic work that these volunteers take part in.” Notes to editors Sports Leaders UK is a charity delivering sports leadership awards and qualifications to more than 200,000 people a year, through 4,000 schools, colleges, local authorities, prisons and young offender units. It acts as an Awarding Body providing nationally recognised qualifications, and has a Foundation to deliver free or subsidised courses in areas of greatest need. Sports Leaders UK Anne Compton, Public Relations T: 01908 689212 E: media@sportsleaders.org