The Youth Sport Trust joined seven other charities for the second Sport Gives Back Awards held at Cadogan Hall in London last week. The brainchild of former international athlete and Track Academy founder Connie Henry, the awards recognise the role grassroots sport can play in addressing social challenges and the awards winners were nominated by their respective charities to thank them for their work in their communities.

Jill Newbolt was presented with the Building Brighter Future’s Award by Youth Sport Trust National School Sport Champion Sir Mo Farah and former world javelin champion Fatima Whitbread MBE.

Presenting the award, Fatima said:

“We are delighted to recognise the contribution of Jill Newbolt to the world of inclusive sports education. Her unwavering passion, inspiring leadership, boundless compassion, and exceptional ability to connect have revolutionised the lives of countless young people, their families, and her colleagues.”

Jill has worked with the Youth Sport Trust for over 12 years through the Lead Inclusion School programme which has, to date, helped 28,000 practitioners to improve the quality of PE and school sport provision for around 150,000 pupils. Throughout that time, she has been a remarkable force of change in the world of inclusive sports education.

The Sport Gives Back ceremony will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday, March 24 and we’ll be sharing more about Jill’s story and the amazing impact she has had on the lives of children and young people leading up to the broadcast.

Other sporting stars in the room on the night included Dame Kelly Holmes, Frank Lampard and Ellie Simmonds, who presented awards to individuals and organisations across the country. The evening was co-hosted by Jeanette Kwakye and Josh Denzel and entertainment came from Britain’s Got Talent finalist, comedian Daliso Chaponda.

Sponsored by The Co-operative Bank, the awards saw a total of eight charities presenting prizes to worthy winners from their communities.

• Dallaglio RugbyWorks chose Dan Ley as the winner of its Transforming Lives: Empowering Excluded Youth award. Having been expelled from school on numerous occasions as a teenager, he turned his life around and now mentors young people in south Wales through the medium of rugby. Dan’s award was presented by charity founder Lawrence Dallaglio.
• Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s Community Partnership Impact Award went to Team Sheffield. This group of athlete mentors works alongside Westfield Health and 12 schools to work with young people facing personal challenges, helping them achieve their aspirations. Dame Kelly herself was on hand to present the award on behalf of her charity.
• Greenhouse Sports honoured Sarah Bonnell School in east London with its Team for Life Award. Located in one of the most deprived areas of the capital, the school has worked with the charity on a tennis programme since the pandemic; this has increased the confidence, teamwork and resilience of its pupils. The award was presented by Paralympian gold medallist Ellie Simmonds and international netball star Ama Agbeze.
• Lord’s Taverners’ Inspire Award went to Connor Hyde. Connor has overcome his own challenges with cerebral palsy and epilepsy to work with the charity’s Somerset Super 1s disability cricket project. He now runs some of the sessions, coaches at his local cricket club, and is a personal trainer. Connor received his award from international cricketer Chris Woakes.
• Sported honoured Joe Donnelly with its Community Sport Social Impact Award. Based in Northern Ireland, Joe set up a mental health charity in memory of a friend he lost to suicide. Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues uses sport as a conduit to make mental health fun and engaging via sessions with clubs, schools and youth groups. Joe’s award was presented by football legend Frank Lampard and his wife, TV presenter Christine.
• SportWorks’ Community Group of the Year award went to The Elfrida Society in Islington, north London. The group, which has been at the heart of its community for over 100 years, has a long history of supporting people with learning disabilities and autism. Its sporting activities include tennis, studio fitness and football. The award was presented by TV sports presenters Ed Chamberlin and Jill Douglas.

The Sport Gives Back ceremony will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday, March 24.