Highlights from the Out For Sport Awards 2026

Meet the Out For Sport Award winners 2026

More than 150 players, coaches and volunteers from across London and the South East came together to celebrate 11 winners. They were chosen from 51 nominations by a judging panel of previous award winners and journalist Jon Holmes of Sports Media LGBT+.

The night’s most emotional moment came when Leigh Armstrong, who has given 43 years to ACE Players Tennis Croydon, received the Ivan Bussens Lifetime Achievement Award. “We’re volunteers,” he told the room. “We don’t get paid because we’re worthless, it’s because we’re priceless.”

Leigh’s award capped a remarkable night for his club. ACE Players, the UK’s longest-running LGBTQ+ tennis group, was also named Club of the Year in its 50th year.

First races and fresh starts

London Otters Rowing Club also went home with two trophies. Its Novice Squad won Rising Team of the Year after fielding the club’s first-ever all-novice Women’s Eight, and for most of the crew it was their first race. The club was also named Inclusive Club of the Year for a new hardship fund and a reasonable adjustments policy for disabled rowers.

Gayzelles Sporting Club, which has grown from four runners into a seven-sport club in Woolwich and Abbey Wood, was named Emerging Club of the Year, the same summer it marched at Pride in London for the first time.

Champions and record-breakers

The Kings Cross Steelers’ Men’s 1st XV were crowned Team of the Year after becoming Bingham Cup world champions in Brisbane. Sam Woodcock of Ishigaki Ju-jitsu won Sporting Achievement of the Year for earning his black belt, carrying on through his grading despite dislocated toes. And Emma Keen was named Newcomer of the Year after stepping up as Chair of Out to Swim London and breaking an IGLA record in the 800m freestyle.

Clubs that show up for each other

Camden Shorinji Kempo became the first-ever winner of our new Club Partnership of the Year award, after opening its doors to Imperial Shorinji Kempo when the club lost its lead instructor. Simon Shipman of North London Lob-sters Tennis was named Volunteer of the Year after organising the club’s first competition team, then going as captain rather than taking a place himself. And London Royals Hockey Club won Game Changer of the Year for championing the message that hockey is for everyone.

Winners and finalists

Club of the Year: ACE Players Tennis Croydon
Finalists: Brazukas Universe, Kings Cross Steelers RFC

Emerging Club of the Year: Gayzelles Sporting Club
Finalist: All-Out Padel

Inclusive Club of the Year: London Otters Rowing Club
Finalists: London Leftfooters FC, The London Stags RFC

Club Partnership of the Year: Camden Shorinji Kempo
Finalists: London Otters Rowing Club, North London Lob-sters Tennis

Team of the Year: Kings Cross Steelers RFC Men’s 1st XV
Finalists: Ishigaki Ju Jitsu Gay Games competitors, London Otters Rowing Club Senior Squad

Rising Team of the Year: London Otters Rowing Club Novice Squad
Finalists: Camden Shorinji Kempo Embu team, North London Lob-sters Tennis Pride in Tennis Cup team

Newcomer of the Year: Emma Keen, Out to Swim
Finalists: Maria Trindade (North London Lob-sters Tennis), Ben Yolland (The London Stags RFC)

Sporting Achievement of the Year: Sam Woodcock, Ishigaki Ju-jitsu
Finalists: Jono Elvin (Kings Cross Steelers RFC), Kieran Slator (London Royals Hockey Club)

Volunteer of the Year: Simon Shipman, North London Lob-sters Tennis
Finalists: Jordan Chan (Invicta Icons Cricket), Richard Walton (Out to Swim)

Game Changer of the Year: London Royals Hockey Club
Finalist: Tim Regan (UK Equality Dance Council)

Ivan Bussens Lifetime Achievement: Leigh Armstrong, ACE Players Tennis Croydon
Finalists: Richard Freeman (Kings Cross Steelers RFC), Ben Gifford (Out to Swim)

Congratulations to all our winners, and to every finalist. Thank you to our judges, our volunteers, the team at Ballie Ballerson, and AFL London, whose fundraising helped make the night possible.

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