Sporting Chance Awards held for first time by Lord's Taverners

The inaugural Sporting Chance Awards, launched by the UK's leading youth cricket and disability sports charity, took place on Friday 11 September at Mansion House, London.

Hosted by BBC presenter and sports journalist Manish Bhasin, the awards celebrated the achievement of young people in disability and mainstream sports. The launch ceremony also recognised the individuals, clubs and programmes which enable young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities to enjoy a sporting chance across the UK.

The Lord's Taverners President, Sir Michael Parkinson was joined by Paralympic champion, David Clark and Giles Long MBE to honour the young people and volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their sport in 2015.

The" Access Tennis Programme" which runs across the East Midlands won the programme of the year for its inspirational work in encouraging and developing players of all ages to take up tennis and support them to reach their full potential. The programme encourages players to participate in Tennis Foundation events across the country and participate in Special Olympic events. The scheme has been running for 13 years and players have gone on to represent the East Midland at the Special Olympic National Games, where they were the most successful tennis region at the last national games in Bath, and Great Britain where players have participated at the World Games and European tennis Championship returning with medals.

However alongside the high level sporting performance the scheme gives players improved health and wellbeing and a chance to meet every Saturday at West Bridgford Tennis club to train and for parents and carers to meet.

Leicester-shire and Rutland GO GOLD athlete Matthew Chilvers represented the Access Tennis Programme at the event and was delighted receive the award on behalf of the programme participants.

Matthew said "Special thanks must go to Lesley Whitehead who established the scheme and has done so much to make it grow, encouraging players to achieve things they never thought possible. The scheme is now being run by her son and daughter Matt and Mel Whithead and without them we would not have the opportunity to play tennis and improve our game. They give up their Saturday evenings to help us become better players and every member of the group appreciates the time and effort they put in to make the programme so very special".

This year, the winners of the Sporting Chance award categories were as follows:

o Junior of the Year: Georgia Shearman
o Sports Club of the Year: Minster Lovell CC
o Programme of the Year: The Access Tennis Programme
o Greatest Personal Development: Ben Parsons
o Service to Sport: Stephen Greatorex
o Jean Ratcliff Lifetime Contribution: David Hooper, Grandad of Lord's Taverners ambassador Alfie Hewitt