10 winners presented with awards at London’s Guildhall
Awards recognise the unsung heroes of London who are improving lives through sport and physical activity
Familiar faces from world of sport and TV gathered to celebrate the best of community and grassroots sport in London
LONDON, UK | The winners of the 2025 London Sport Awards, supported by the City of London Corporation, were announced last night at a glittering event at the Guildhall, attended by sports stars including Olympians and ‘Gladiators’ Montell Douglas a.k.a Fire and Toby Olubi a.k.a. Phantom, WBC women’s lightweight world champion, Caroline Dubois, Team GB para-athlete, Vanessa Wallace, British light-heavyweight boxer, Anthony Yarde and a number of London Lions basketballers.
The ninth edition of the awards celebrated volunteers, organisations, charities and individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of Londoners through sport and physical activity. The awards recognised those who are improving access to physical activity to support Londoners to lead healthier more active lives.
London Sport’s newly appointed Ambassador Montell Douglas, multi-sports double Olympian and star of BBC’s ‘Gladiators’, attended the ceremony, presenting the Volunteer of the Year Award, in association with Sport England, to Maryam Chowdhury. 26-year-old Maryam is the founder of Beyond the Bias, a social mobility organisation upskilling 11-25-year-olds from working-class backgrounds with qualifications, opportunities, resources, hobbies and jobs. Diagnosed with depression at 18, Maryam experienced firsthand the profound connection between physical activity and mental health. Now, she integrates physical activities with mental health practices and talking therapies.
Maryam Chowdhury, Beyond the Bias, said: “When you’re a part of a community organsiation, you’re always on the ‘go, go, go, go’, so you never have time to stop, reflect and appreciate your achievements. It’s incredible to get an award and celebrate our achievements so far.
“There’s so much achievement and passion in this community, and we’re here to celebrate it all.”
Emily Robinson, Chief Executive of London Sport, said: “The London Sport Awards celebrate the incredible individuals and organisations breaking down barriers to help Londoners lead healthier, more active lives. From local initiatives to city-wide programmes, their efforts are transforming communities through the power of sport and physical activity.
“This year, with our More Ball Games campaign, we’ve been calling for more access to spaces for people to be active. The dedication of our nominees and winners proves just how vital these opportunities are. I’d like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists for their inspiring work in making sport and physical activity more inclusive and accessible and extend a special congratulations to our winners – your passion and impact are helping to create a city where everyone has the chance to play, move, and thrive.”
The London Sport Awards is supported by the City of London Corporation, who once again generously hosted the event at the iconic Guildhall.
Chris Hayward, City of London Corporation policy chairman, said: “These awards celebrate the major contribution of London’s businesses to promoting sport in the community.
“Sport is vital for the UK’s economic success and global influence and plays a crucial role in enhancing community, physical and mental health.
“Supporting events like this is a key part of our sport strategy and ensures even more people can access the benefits of sport.
“Through the services we offer across London, including our open spaces and schools, we will continue to advance this important national priority.”
Full list of winners – London Sport Awards 2025
Business Contribution Award in association with the City of London Corporation
Alan Day Motor Group (Camden)
For over a decade, Alan Day Motor Group has supported the Sarries RFC programme, enabling young people with disabilities to engage in sport, develop social skills, and access job opportunities, while also providing volunteers, equipment, and a supportive community.
Digital and Tech Innovation Award in association with Fit-tech
Equip Sport (Merton)
Equip Sport and Merton’s app-based sports locker system provides on-demand access to free or low-cost equipment, promoting sustainability and inclusivity, engaging 1,100+ players in 2,875 sessions since August 2024, and transforming public spaces into accessible activity hubs.
Supporting Young Londoners Award in association with Opinium
Vision RCL (Redbridge)
The Redbridge Mega Mix programme has engaged over 9,400 young Londoners, offering affordable, inclusive activities that blend sport, education, and culture, with 67-74% of participants from BAME communities and 95% learning something new, fostering community spirit and lifelong physical activity.
British sprinter and Olympic bobsledder, and star of BBC’s ‘Gladiators’, Toby Olubi, joined sponsors and judges on-stage to present Vision RCL with their award.
Enhancing the Sporting Workforce Award in association with The Clink Events
Youth Sport Trust and London Lead Inclusion Schools (Islington)
The Youth Sport Trust and London Lead Inclusion Schools network have enhanced inclusive PE for SEND students, training 500+ educators and engaging 583 schools, benefiting 1,571 students. Highlights include the “Move Now” festival at Lee Valley Velo Park, involving 142 students, fostering understanding, and expanding access to physical activity.
Community Impact Award in association with Saatchi & Saatchi
Arts Trust Productions (Greenwich)
The Silent Disco Skate Jam Programme transforms physical activity in Thamesmead (SE28) by combining roller skating with a silent disco, creating an inclusive space for well-being and community connection, engaging nearly 2,000 participants, reducing social isolation, fostering leadership, and contributing to a 25% drop in youth-related crime, with 90% rating it “excellent.”
Active Design Award
Enable (Lewisham)
Enable transformed a Lewisham retail unit into a free wellbeing hub, hosting 500+ activity sessions for underrepresented groups, engaging 1,000+ participants, and offering workshops, work experience, and volunteer roles, creating a vital community resource for health and connection.
WBC women’s lightweight world champion, Caroline Dubois. joined sponsors and judges on-stage to present Ekota Academy with their award.
Health & Wellbeing Award in association with NHS England – London
Fit 4 Health Exercise after Stroke Scheme, Hackney Council (Hackney)
Fit 4 Health in Hackney supports stroke survivors’ rehabilitation through exercise, improving recovery and quality of life. From September 2023 to October 2024, 81 clients benefited, with most reporting increased energy, strength, confidence, and reduced healthcare visits.
British light-heavyweight boxer, Anthony Yarde, joined sponsors and judges on-stage to present Ekota Academy with their award.
Volunteer of the Year Award in association with Sport England
Maryam Chowdhury (Tower Hamlets)
Maryam, founder of Beyond the Bias, advocates for combining physical activity with mental health support, reaching 400+ young people with 12,000 meals, 500 hours of free activities, and 200 hours of therapy. Her inclusive programmes for minority groups and the Sports Apprenticeship Programme, which has a 75% employment success rate, have led to improved physical and mental health for participants.
Multi-sports double Olympian and star of BBC’s ‘Gladiators’, Montell Douglas, joined sponsors and judges on-stage to present Maryam with her award.
Uniting London Award in association with Sid Lee
Ekota Academy (Barking and Dagenham)
Ekota, a community-focused organisation in East London, has engaged 1,250+ people through 1,488.5 hours of activities, promoting inclusivity by breaking barriers to sports participation, training female coaches, supporting older adults, and celebrating diversity through community projects.
Team GB para-athlete, Vanessa Wallace, joined sponsors and judges on-stage to present Ekota Academy with their award.
Lifetime Achievement Award in association with BBC Radio London
Monica Burton (Brent)
Monica Burton, 88, from Harrow, has spent decades volunteering to improve older adults’ physical and mental health through yoga. After completing Yoga Teacher Training in 1982, she ran successful remedial classes, expanded yoga into Brent Council’s day centres, and worked with individuals with additional needs. Monica also helped organise public yoga events, collaborated to establish yoga as a recognised physical activity, and developed the ‘Yoga for the Third Age’ module in 2005, leading to Gentle Years Yoga, now considered for NHS adoption. Her work has transformed many lives, earning her a British Empire Medal in 2022, and she continues to teach today.
Stars of the London Lions joined judges on-stage to present Monica Burton with her award.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About London Sport
London Sport is a charity that exists to help ensure more Londoners live happier, healthier lives through access to sport and physical activity.
Supported by Sport England and the Mayor of London, London Sport collaborates with those that share our vision, running and supporting projects that help children, young people and the least active adults to embed sport and physical activity into their lives.
For more information on London Sport, visit www.londonsport.org
About City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK.
www.cityoflondon.gov
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