Volunteers are the lifeblood of grassroots sport. For so many people, regular activity simply wouldn’t be possible without the work of volunteers – the army of coaches, administrators, officials, fundraisers and supporters that mobilises every single week across the capital.
Today, on International Volunteers Day, we decided to look back at the successes of two great volunteers who used their knowledge, passion and skills for the benefit of grassroots sports. By volunteering, they’ve allowed hundreds of people to benefit from physical activity across the Boroughs.
Henry T Palton Gaspard was recognised as Volunteer of the Year Award at the London Sport Awards 2016. When asked to remember the moment when he was announced as winner, he said: “I could not believe that I had won the Volunteering award recognising my many years of volunteering with Black Arrows Badminton club in the development of Badminton in London, especially when there were so many other deserving winners.”
Nominate for Volunteer of the Year
Henry encouraged everyone to nominate the volunteers that make a difference in the grassroots sport sector in London: “It’s an opportunity to celebrate their valuable work, to say thank you to our thousands of unsung heroes, to network with the other organisations and individuals present, and to be part of a fantastic celebration evening of sport.”
The winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award from 2015 – Tyrone George, praised the work of volunteers across UK: “Grassroots sport is really important, it’s the start of many major sport people’s careers. It’s also a great way to keep people active and interested in sports.”
Tyrone’s spoke highly about the importance of London Sport Awards, saying: “The event was great. It was really an opportunity to meet and talk to different people from the sports industry and a great celebration of all things great about sport.”
