The shortlist for the London Sport Awards 2025, supported by the City of London Corporation, has been announced today, celebrating the unsung heroes who are improving the lives of Londoners through sport and physical activity.
The shortlist for the ninth edition of the Awards features 29 nominees across ten categories, showcasing an inspiring range of community volunteers, grassroots teams, health and fitness clubs, elite sports organisations, businesses, and charities.
With almost 400 nominations received, finalists were shortlisted by a panel of expert judges, including representatives from Sport England, Paralympics GB, London Youth Games, London Marathon Events, Sid Lee, the City of London Corporation, and past London Sport Awards winners.
Thanks to the generous support of the City of London Corporation, the London Sport Awards ceremony will return to celebrate the inspirational stories of the finalists at the historic Guildhall on 27 March 2025.
Dimitri Coutya, Paralympian wheelchair fencer, who won two golds, a silver and a bronze medal at Paris 2024, joined London Sport Awards judging panel. Dimitri said: “The individuals and organisations nominated have made a remarkable impact in helping underserved Londoners get active and stay active.
“In a city where inequality and inactivity remain significant challenges, it’s truly inspiring to witness the resilience and community spirit that London continues to embody. Every nominee on this list should feel immensely proud of their role in transforming lives through sport and physical activity.”
The shortlist for the Business Contribution Award, in association with City of London Corporation, includes Alan Day Motor Group, who have partnered with Sarries RFC for over a decade, transforming the lives of young people with disabilities through the power of rugby. Alan Day Motor Group have generously funded the programme for the last eleven years and this long-standing partnership has enabled Saracens Foundation to consistently provide such an impactful project for the local community. The programme provides young people with a regular opportunity to be physically active, build friendships and develop their social skills. At the same time, parents and carers can enjoy the peace and comfort of a designated respite space at StoneX Stadium allowing them to also build relationships and feel part of a community who share similar experiences.
Mike Dobson, Senior Development Manager, Saracens Foundation, said: “At Saracens Foundation we are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with Alan Day Motor Group and are so grateful for their continued support of the Sarries RFC project. The fact that the impact this programme has on our community has been recognized by the London Sport Awards is truly fantastic and means the world to everyone involved.”
Wheels4Me London has been shortlisted for the Uniting London Award. The programme is a ground-breaking scheme offering free cycle loans for Londoners whose needs aren’t met by most standard bicycle hire schemes. This scheme is run in collaboration with Wheels for Wellbeing, Peddle My Wheels and Sustrans and funded by the Motability Foundation.
The project enables more disabled people to take advantage of the wellbeing and physical health benefits of cycling by increasing access to non-standard cycles across London, providing tailored advice and working towards creating fully inclusive cycle hire options.
Tom Staniford, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees at Wheels for Wellbeing, said: “Wheels for Wellbeing are delighted to have been shortlisted in the prestigious London Sports Awards.
“Cycling is a unique form of physical activity in that, with the right support and equipment, everybody can do it and also enjoy the additional transport, leisure, social, and health benefits. Although our training and consultancy works takes us nationally, and even internationally, our origins and the beating heart of our organisation remain in London and in providing accessible sessions and rides, enabling Londoners to experience the joy of cycling – whatever their age, impairment and/or health condition.”
Chelsea FC Foundation’s (CFCF) ‘Bridging the Blues’ (BTB) programme is shortlisted for the Health and Wellbeing Award. The evidence-based initiative unites the health, physical activity, and sport sectors to improve physical and mental health outcomes across London. In partnership with Imperial College NHS Trust, CFCF have developed an innovative programme which includes Stroke, Pulmonary, Cardiac and Cancer Rehab. The main aim is to reduce healthcare inequalities, whilst improving access to physical activity and healthy lifestyle support for patients with recent discharge/diagnosis. With hospitals located in Hammersmith and Westminster, Imperial Trust serves communities in some of the most deprived areas of London. Last year, BTB benefitted 147 patients’ health and wellbeing across north-west London, with over 1110 attendances. Importantly, all sessions are free for the user.
Anne-Marie Smith Health and Wellbeing Manager at Chelsea FC said: “We are delighted to be recognised with this nomination. Bridging the Blues is an innovative programme aimed at reducing healthcare inequalities for patients in some of the most deprived areas of London.
“Initially focusing on supporting those recovering from a Stroke, the programme has expanded this year to include Pulmonary, Cardiac and Cancer Rehab. Through shared experience, lifestyle support, physical activity and education it provides vital assistance to Londoners in their recovery from these life-changing conditions.
“We are grateful to Imperial, Royal Marsden and Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trusts, the Premier League Charitable Fund and Hospital Saturday Fund for their continued support of Bridging the Blues.”
For more details about the London Sport Awards, visit: https://londonsport.org/our-events/london-sport-awards-2025
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further comment or interview opportunities, please contact: [email protected]
Full Shortlist – London Sport Awards 2025:
Digital and Tech Award
Equip Sport
TeamSportz
Swing Fitness
Community Impact Award
Arts Trust Productions
KEEN London
Mottingham Big Local Refocused
Active Design Award
Enable
Access Sport
Natasha Hartke / Kennington Oval Reimagined
Uniting London Award in association with Sid Lee
Ekota Academy Ltd
Wheels4Me London
The Black Prince Trust
Enhancing Sporting Workforce Award
Youth Sport Trust / London Lead Inclusion Schools
London Basketball Association
Sport at the Heart
Sports Fun 4 All
Business Contribution Award in association with City of London Corporation
Alan Day Motor Group
Clarion Housing
Art Invest
Supporting Young Londoner Award
Vision RCL
Theatre Peckham
Beyond the Bias
Health and Wellbeing Award
Hackney Council – Fit 4 Health Exercise after Stroke Scheme
The Black Prince Trust
Chelsea FC Foundation – ‘Bridging the Blues’ project
Volunteer of the Year Award
Maryam Chowdhury
Zain Rahman
Matthew Wing
List of judges:
Jillian Moore, London Sport Trustee and Chair of the London Sport Awards judging committee
Alex Eagle, The Running Charity & London Sport Trustee
Andy Dalby-Welsh, London Youth Games
Denean Rowe, Town and Country Planning Association
Dilwara Khatun, Muslimah Sports Association
Dimitri Coutya, Paralympics GB
Edward Lord OBE, City of London Corporation
Gareth Hall, Sid Lee
James Banks, London Funders
Jeanette Bain-Burnett, Sport England
Martin Machray, NHS England
Michelle Weltman, London Marathon Events
Pauline Daniyan, London Youth
Safia Noor, Greater London Authority
About City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to creating a vibrant, sustainable, and thriving London within a globally successful UK.
For more information, visit www.cityoflondon.gov
