2015 Mercers' Company Awards
26 February 2015
Tuesday 24th was our annual Mercers' presentation. Every year London Youth’s Getting Ready sports programme, through kind support of the Mercers’ Company, recognises the achievements of three young volunteers for their contributions to developing sport in youth clubs.
There are three cash prices, 1st Prize – £750, 2nd Prize – £500 and 3rd Prize – £250. The Charter 600 Charity of the Mercers’ Company, like London Youth, believe in the importance of encouraging and enabling young people to participate in and develop a life long love of sport. The winners were selected by a panel of judges based on the criteria of involving and developing young people as community sport leaders.
Sophie Manzi from Streatham Youth & Community Trust who is 19 received the first placed award. She was nominated By Mark Wood who said “Sophie bought all the skills she had learnt back into the club and passed them on to our junior members. It’s not just the girls Sophie inspires; it’s also the male members, the staff team and myself.”
In second place, was Azhar Mohammed from Salaam Peace who is 16. He was nominated by Sabir Bham who said “Azi deserves recognition for his devotion to impacting his local area at such a young age. More importantly he has a vision, he is pro-active, unique and has an ability which makes him stand out.”
In third place was Dajé Duncan from St. Matthew’s Project who is 17. He was nominated By Lee Dema who said “Dajé has earned the respect of one of the most challenging group of boys we’ve known, he is also one of the most reliable young people we’ve ever known, not only does he help out with his own team but often stays on and runs the line for another age group.”
All of the award winners have developed themselves as community sport leaders and are rightly regarded as strong role models. The impact they have made is testament to the difference that can be achieved when empowering young people with the necessary skills and confidence.
To hear what our three winners and Suzie Bridges, Chairman of the Charter 600 Charity Committee had to say, listen to their interviews below.
For further information about London Youth’s Sports Development Programme, please contact:
Zoe Mellis (Head of Sports Development) John Jones (Sport Development Officer)
zoe.mellis@londonyouth.org.uk john.jones@londonyouth.org.uk
020 7549 8811 07736619595
