The everyday heroes who keep London's grassroots sports scene thriving and accessible were celebrated at the 2026 London Sport Awards, held at the iconic Guildhall. The prestigious regional awards welcomed high-profile guests including Olympian and TV personality Montell Douglas, who hosted the proceedings, British bobsledder Greg Cackett, LSA CEO Emily Robinson, and Edward Lord, lead member for Sport at the City of London Corporation.
A highlight of the event, now in its tenth year, was a Q&A session with Douglas, only the second British woman to compete at both Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and Cackett, a three-time Winter Olympian and World Championship silver medallist who represented Team GB at Milano-Cortina 2026. Guests learned about the 36-year-old's brilliant sporting career and his life outside sport.
Supported by the City of London Corporation, the 2026 London Sport Awards honoured inspiring individuals, projects, and organisations across ten categories, from volunteers and community clubs to businesses and tech innovators, helping Londoners lead healthier, more active lives. From hundreds of nominations, an expert panel shortlisted 26 nominees across the ten awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by London Sport's Board of Trustees chair Jillian Moore, went to David Crilly for over 30 years of service transforming youth sport in South London. He has mentored over 500 young people, supported the first female-only FA Level 2 course in London, secured over £120,000 in grants, and worked to break down social and cultural barriers.
Sports Fun 4 All won the Enhancing The Sporting Workforce Award in association with Opinium, while Fulham Reach Boat Club claimed the Environmental Sustainability Award, presented by Cackett. The Community Impact Award in association with Upshot was won by Barnet Walking Football Club. Charlie Beatt of the London Fire Brigade won the Supporting Young Londoners Award, presented by content creator Jamie Shawyer (LDN Movements), for running the Brigade's free community boxing programme.
The charity theMovement had double success, winning both the Safer Sport Award and the Health and Wellbeing Award, for removing barriers to exercise for women who have experienced severe trauma including homelessness and domestic abuse. During the break, guests enjoyed an excellent food and drinks reception while sharing stories.
Douglas, known as Fire on the BBC show Gladiators, hosted an engaging game of 'Heads or Tails', where the audience chose answers to questions. The winner received four tickets to the Gladiators Live Tour, and second prize was two VIP tickets to the Super League Basketball Play-off Finals at the O2.
Hackney council won the Active Environment Award, presented by Douglas's fellow Gladiator Quang Luong (Viper) alongside NLA director Niki Kernohan. The Volunteer of the Year Award in association with Sport England went to Sammy Taubman of Finsbury Park, who for over 15 years has used sport to coach people from all backgrounds, providing mentorship, discipline, and confidence-building. The Elfrida Society collected the Inclusive London Award in association with The Clink Events for breaking down barriers to physical activity for adults and young people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions.
London Sport CEO Emily Robinson said: 'The London Sport Awards is a fabulous showcase that brings to life all the different groups, volunteers, and grassroots sports organisations in the city of London that are doing amazing things. We want people to feel really encouraged that their hard work is being recognised as different sports and well-being activities are incredibly important to the lives of Londoners.'
Douglas added: 'Helping Londoners be healthier, happier, and live longer lives, that is what this is all about. It's so nice to see the faces behind those projects and programmes, so you can see the impact.'
