News • Sport

Local cricket coach up for London Sports Award

5 December 2022
3 Min Read

Mikey Thompson is among 26 finalists for the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award
By Fran di Fazio

A local cricket coach has been nominated for a London-wide sports award.

Mikey Thompson – nicknamed “King of Haringey” for his lifelong effort to promote grass- roots cricket – has been shortlisted for the ‘Volunteer of the Year’award at the London Sport Awards.

The London Sport Awards celebrates local “unsung heroes” contributing to the development of their communities through sport and physical activity.

Mikey – who has been volunteering in schools across the borough for over 30 years – said he was surprised and grateful for the nomination: “It showed me that someone is recognising the work I’m doing for boys and girls in Haringey.”

A full-time cricket coach at Middlesex County Cricket Club, Mikey delivers cricket sessions in Haringey schools during term time. He has also volunteered as a coach overseas, including in Eritrea and Cuba.

Mikey said: “Sport helps people. Communities can play against each other, but at the same time they can share love, peace, and happiness.”

The cricket coach’s main goal is to inspire young people.“I’ve gone back to schools where I used to work 30 years ago, and I’ve seen kids I used to coach who are now PE teachers. Because of the work I did with them, they wanted to give back as well.

“Cricket is a game full of discipline, and you can interact a lot with each other,” Mikey explained. “We use cricket as a vehicle to make sure that everyone coming to the sessions understands the rules and the qualities of the sport, and knows that they can make friends with each other.”

A record 350 individuals and organisations were nominated across ten categories for this year’s awards, with the finalists chosen by an expert panel of judges.

The Volunteer of the Year shortlist also features Ziana Butt, a netball player and advocate for Asian women’s inclusion in the sport, and Steve King, founder of Sutton United FC’s disability programme.

The Haringey branch of Swim England has been nominated for the ‘Supporting Young Londoners’ award, for their work to promote swimming and aquatics.

The chair of London Sport, Jillian Moore, who also chairs the Sport Awards judging panel, said: “With so many Londoners facing the challenges of inequality and inactivity, it is incredibly inspiring to see how the unique spirit of London can still thrive. Each and every nominee on this list should hold their head high as they continue to play their part in improving the lives of Londoners through sport and physical activity.”

The awards ceremony will take place on 23rd March 2023 at the City of London Corporation’s historic Guildhall. The event will celebrate the finalists’ inspiring stories with films produced by students from Ravensbourne University London.

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