BCSA winners - 2012/13

end of season

Manneh Elliott

The overall 2012-13 Barclays Community Sports Award has been won by Manneh Elliott, a volunteer basketball coach of the Toxteth Tigers basketball team in Liverpool, for his contribution to grassroots sport in his community where he has dedicated over 40 years to developing young peoples’ sporting and life skills.

Manneh has devoted his life to coaching, most recently in his role as U12’s volunteer basketball coach for Toxteth Tigers, who play at Fernhill Sports Centre in Bootle. Manneh also coaches basketball in schools in the local area as well as running week-long basketball clinics during the school holidays.

Education and personal development are central to Manneh’s coaching philosophy and during his career as a volunteer he has helped several players achieve basketball scholarships to colleges in the USA. His role at the club extends beyond being a coach and he is committed to encouraging development on and off the court, acting as a role model to the young people he coaches.

Upon receiving the award, Manneh commented: “I was overwhelmed to hear I was the winner of the February monthly award, so to have won the overall Barclays Community Sports Award is unbelievable. It’s such a great honour to have our club recognised in this way, and the prize money from the Awards will help to secure the further development of the Toxteth Tigers – I can’t wait to tell the kids!”

David Wheldon, Barclays Managing Director of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship said: “Manneh has made an outstanding contribution to the development of young people on Merseyside. He has earned the respect and appreciation of many in the local community, and with this award we hope his work will become known to a much wider audience. We want to recognise community champions all over the UK and I hope Manneh’s voluntary efforts, and those of all the other monthly winners, will inspire other people to get involved in community sport."

Gareth Southgate, head of the judging panel said: “Manneh Elliot is a truly deserving winner of the Barclays Community Sports Award. His commitment to coaching and to developing young people’s skills is to be greatly admired and he is an example of the fantastic volunteers up and down the country who are making a real difference to grassroots sport.”

As the Barclays Community Sports Award winner, Manneh wins £5,000 for his club and a winner’s trophy, which was presented to him by Gareth Southgate at the Barclays Community Sports Awards lunch that was attended by all of the 2012/13 monthly winners at the Haymarket Hotel in London, on Friday 3rd May.

april

Chris Kennedy

The Barclays Community Sports Award for April 2013 has been awarded to Chris Kennedy, for the devotion he has shown to making football accessible to deprived families in the village of Thornhill, West Yorkshire. The monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to community sport that are being made by individuals across the UK and Chris will now go forward to the season long awards to be held on May 3rd at the Haymarket Hotel in London.

Chris has dedicated over a decade to community football and founded Thornhill United in 2007.  Since then he has worked tirelessly to build it into a community club, supporting over 20 volunteers through their coaching qualifications, and this summer 12 volunteers will complete their emergency first aid course.

From scratch he has helped develop Thornhill United into a club that provides almost 200 children and 50 young adults the opportunity to play football for free. He made the decision to remove player’s fees from club membership after struggling to turn away numerous talented players in a deprived part of Yorkshire. On top of the football, he has dedicated hours of his free time to fundraising initiatives, from annual galas to supermarket bag packs.

Speaking about the award, Chris commented: “To be awarded the Barclays Community Sports Award is an amazing honour, and I’m really grateful for the recognition.”

“Being able to provide a platform to get kids, who may not ordinarily be able to afford to play, the opportunity to get involved in football is so rewarding. The prize money will really go a long way to ensuring we can continue to offer a free club. This is our greatest achievement and one we’re proud to maintain.”

Gareth Southgate, head of the judging panel said: “Chris clearly supports the true values of grassroots sport. Football should be an activity for all children to enjoy and his commitment to delivering sport across the community should be admired. For Thornhill United to have attracted as many players as they have in such a short space of time is testament to the hard work Chris has put into the club.”

March

Eddie Mulligan

The Barclays Community Sports Award for March 2013 has been awarded to Eddie Mulligan for his commitment to grassroots football in Northern Ireland. The monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to community sport that are being made by individuals across the UK. Eddie will now go forward to the season long awards to be held on 3 May at the Haymarket Hotel in London.

In 2002 Eddie co-founded Glendowan FC, in Colin, West Belfast. The club currently has 160 players and 32 volunteers and it gives children aged from five to 15 the opportunity to play football and attain life skills through sports participation. Eddie dedicates at least four nights a week to the club, managing the under 15s team and training the youth academy, and this May he will also be taking 23 players to Denmark to take part in a tournament.

Eddie has worked tirelessly to position Glendowan FC as a recognised and respected organisation. The club also supports players through coaching qualifications and five more members are hoping to complete their FA Level 1 coaching qualification this summer.

Speaking about the award, Eddie commented: “Receiving the Barclays Community Sports Award was such a surprise, and I’m extremely grateful. Seeing the club start from nothing and to have watched it develop and keep growing is fantastic. If the kids are into football, they’re out of trouble.”

“We’re a community club, and we’re only as good as the people involved. At the end of the day it’s their club, not mine, and we’ve got such a great team here. It’s not just about the football though, we teach the players respect; to respect each other and to respect where we live.”

David Wheldon, Barclays Managing Director of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship said:  “Eddie has made an outstanding contribution to the development of young people in the area. He has earned the respect and appreciation of many in the local community, and with this award we hope his work will become known to a much wider audience. We want to recognise community champions all over the UK and I hope Eddie's voluntary efforts will inspire other people to get involved in community sport."

Gareth Southgate, head of the judging panel said: “Eddie has seen football as a great opportunity to communicate with a hard to reach age group and his dedication to supporting young people through the sport is truly commendable. I hope people will take the time to nominate deserving candidates like Eddie for the Barclays Community Sports Awards.”

February

Manneh Elliott

The Barclays Community Sports Award for February 2013 has been awarded to Manneh Elliott, for his contribution to basketball and his dedication to youth development. The monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to grassroots sport that are being made by individuals up and down the country. Manneh will now go forward to the season long awards to be held on May 3 at the Haymarket Hotel in London.

Manneh is a volunteer basketball coach for Toxteth Tigers Basketball Programme, who play at Fernhill Sports Centre in Bootle. The club is represented in the local and national leagues with 10 teams, ranging from U12s to U18s, and Manneh coaches the U12s development group three times a week.

His role at the club extends beyond being a coach and he is committed to encouraging their development on and off the court, acting as a role model to the young people he coaches within the culturally diverse community where the club is based.

Manneh also coaches basketball in schools in the local area as well as running week-long basketball clinics during the school holidays. Education and personal development are central to Manneh’s coaching philosophy and over the past 40 years of coaching he has helped several players achieve basketball scholarships to colleges in the USA. 

Speaking about the award, Manneh commented: “To be recognised and rewarded for doing what I enjoy is such an honour. To me it’s not just about the winning, it’s the engagement we get from the children and watching them grow as people and players. Here at Toxteth Tigers we aim to increase the number of young people involved in sport - empowering them and their community.”

Gareth Southgate, head of the judging panel said: “It is inspiring to see someone who has dedicated so much of their time to sports development and Manneh is a role model in this field. His enthusiasm and tireless energy, and his longstanding commitment to Toxteth Tigers Basketball Programme is to be greatly admired.”

David Wheldon, Barclays Managing Director of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship said:  “Manneh has devoted himself through basketball to the young people of Toxteth. He has earned the respect and appreciation of many in the local community, and with this award we hope his work will become known to a much wider audience. We also want to recognise community champions all over the country and I hope others will take the opportunity to nominate their local heroes for the Barclays Community Sports Awards.”

January

Naz Khan

The Barclays Community Sports Award for January 2013 has been awarded to Naz Khan, for his contribution to cricket and the passion he has shown for helping young people through sport. The monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to grassroots sport that are being made by individuals up and down the country.

Naz, a successful businessman from Mosely, Birmingham, started the Attock Cricket Club in 1989, to help young people. Since then, the club has grown to 120 members, 30 volunteers and runs seven days a week during the cricket season. Naz has also extended the programme to multi-sport summer camps, with around 150 young people participating each year.

Naz’s dedication to the Attock Cricket Club has meant that it’s now a place for members to practice the sport on a daily basis, compete at county level and achieve coaching badges. As well as this, Naz places an importance on the club bringing the community together, and regularly holds family fun days in the local area.

Speaking about the award, Naz commented: "I'm thrilled to have won the Barclays Community Sports Award. I’m extremely proud of all of the volunteers that dedicate their time to the running of the club, and I’m thankful to our members who continue to push themselves at each coaching session.

“For us, it’s about bringing the community together and providing an activity that young people enjoy and can succeed in. We want to keep teenagers off the streets and get them playing sport and achieving their goals. As a result, I want to use a portion of the prize money on paying for some members to achieve their coaching badges, as well as creating a hardship fund for the members who can’t necessarily afford the £3 a week membership fees.”

Gareth Southgate, lead judge said: “Naz’s passion for improving people’s lives through a community sports club is really inspiring. As well as having a successful career, it’s fantastic to see someone dedicating so much time to others.

“Naz has worked hard to create a successful sports club, and there are many other community champions up and down the country who deserve recognition. I hope people will take the time to nominate deserving candidates like Naz for the Barclays Community Sports Awards.”

december

David Amiet

The Barclays Community Sports Award for December 2012 has been awarded to David Amiet, for his contribution to football over three decades and the dedication he has shown towards educating young people through sport. These monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to grassroots sport that are being made by individuals up and down the country.

David, a fire fighter in East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, developed the project ‘Coaching for a Safer Community’ (C4SC), which combines football with fire and road safety messaging and runs in schools across Sussex. Since 2006, David has worked with over 80,000 young people and has helped 63 coaches achieve various levels of FA Coaching badges. David has also extended the programme to disability groups, including wheelchair and blind football.

David founded C4SC after football became the topic of a lifesaving conversation between himself and a young person seriously injured in a car accident, during his career as a fire fighter. The programme has gone from strength to strength and now has the support of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 

Alongside C4SC, David is a Academy goalkeeper coach, working with children aged 8-16 on a weekly basis. He also dedicates time each week to Lewes Bridge View JFC, where he trains and manages the U16’s football team, and has successfully eight of the players gain a place at the new Lewes Football Academy.

Speaking about the award, David comments: "I'm delighted to be presented with the Barclays Community Sports Award. It feels great to have the work we do on the ‘Coaching for a Safer Community’ programme recognised.

It's all about getting young people playing, but staying safe. The most important part of what we're doing is saving lives and it makes it all the more rewarding knowing that that we've made a difference.”

Gareth Southgate, lead judge on the Barclays Community Sports Awards Panel, on presenting the award commented: “David’s dedication is really inspiring. He has recognised the impact football can have on young peoples’ lives and has used the sport as a platform to communicate important messages in a fun and engaging way. 

David has also made an exceptional contribution to both football and the community, by supporting many young people through their coaching qualifications. It’s important to recognise those doing so much for their communities, so I would urge people to nominate deserving candidates for the Barclays Community Sports Awards.”

November

Katee Hui

The Barclays Community Sports Award for November 2012 has been awarded to Katee Hui, for her passion and commitment towards the Hackney Laces community football team for girls. These monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to grassroots sport that are being made by individuals up and down the country.

Katee, originally from Canada and a London resident for the past six years, recognised a need for a girls’ community football team in her local area of Hackney, London that would allow teenagers to come together and share their passion for the sport. A year later and Hackney Laces now has over 50 members and established U12, U14, U16 womens sides.

As well as helping the girls on the pitch, Katee and her three other female volunteer coaches offer support and guidance to members of the club with homework, GCSE tutoring, college interviews and hold fundraiser days at the local Dalston supermarket to raise funds for pitch hire and insurance costs.

Katee comments: "I’m thrilled to accept the Barclays Community Sports Award and I’m sure the girls will be really pleased that our team has been recognised. I first set out wanting to create an environment where girls in the community could play football, but now it has become so much more than that and we’re like a big family. The prize money will be put to great use and will help Hackney Laces guarantee pitch space as well as help some of the team members complete coaching qualifications.”

Gareth Southgate, lead judge on the Barclays Community Sports Awards Panel, on presenting the award commented: “Katee is a great example of the work that many volunteers do across the UK in grassroots sports. It’s brilliant that Katee has been recognised for her work in women’s football by encouraging young girls to get involved in the sport, which is helping nurture a new generation of talent in women’s football. It’s important to recognise those doing so much for their communities, so I would urge people to nominate deserving candidates up and down the country for the Barclays Community Sports Awards."

october

Dawn Whitmore-Kirby

The Barclays Community Sports Award for October has been awarded to Dawn Whitmore-Kirby, for her 32 years service to disabled horse riding.

As a fellow of the RDA and senior coach at Wenlo Riding for the Disabled Association, Dawn and the 28 other volunteers work with people of all ages and abilities on a daily basis. Dawn uses the facilities at The Meadow School of Riding in Leicestershire to train riders, dedicating over 30 hours a week to disabled pupils.

Dawn took her first lesson, training special needs riders, aged just 16 and has led her students in the sport to qualify for the RDA National Championships every year she has been involved. Her commitment to disabled riding has been previously recognised by winning the Long Service Award from the RDA in 2005. Dawn also has a long-standing relationship with the East Midlands Special Olympics Equestrian team serving as head coach for 21 years.

Dawn comments: "I’m delighted to accept the Barclays Community Sports Award and happy that my work with disabled horse riding has been recognised. I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to help disabled riders and seeing them achieve their goals has been a great reward in itself. The prize money will be put to great use and will help our small riding school gain more experienced coaches, which will ultimately help our riders.”

Gareth Southgate, a judge on the Barclays Community Sports Award panel, commented: “Volunteers like Dawn keep grassroots sport thriving, and it’s fantastic to hear about her work with disabled horse riding over the past three decades. It’s great that Dawn is being recognised and I would encourage people to nominate deserving candidates up and down the country for the Barclays Community Sports Awards.” 

september

Stephen Pullen MBE

The Barclays Community Sports Award for September has been awarded to Stephen Pullen MBE, co-founder and volunteer Head Coach at Urmston Judo Club in Manchester, for his 50 years service to British judo. 

As Head Coach at Urmston Judo Club, Stephen and his fellow volunteer coaches train people of all ages and abilities on a daily basis. Stephen is credited with being one of the founders of visually impaired judo in the UK and his main objective for the Urmston Judo Club is to integrate able-bodied and disabled judo.

As well as this, Stephen has played a fundamental role in national judo, whereby he leads the Special Needs Section of the British Judo Association, has helped coach the British Paralympic Judo Team and, more recently, has been involved with the Brazilian, Thai and various Oceanic nations’ judo teams at the London 2012 Paralympics. He was awarded the Coaching Award in 1995 from the National Coach Foundation and was presented with the Churchill Fellowship Award 1989 by Her Majesty the Queen.

Upon receiving the award, Stephen commented: "The award has been a great surprise and I’m delighted to accept it. My life is dedicated to bringing judo to everyone, no matter what age or ability. I’m currently raising funds for a purpose built Judo Centre of Excellence in Greater Manchester so this prize will really help. It’s fantastic that our work to integrate able-bodied and disabled Judo is being highlighted.”