The Jack Petchey Achievement Award recognises outstanding achievements by young people ages 11-25 across London and Essex. Award winners are young people who have gone above and beyond to achieve – perhaps when others thought they might fail.

The awards are not solely about a player’s talent in the game. They may be used to recognise a personal triumph for someone who has faced a challenge, a young person who has pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone or it may be an opportunity to recognise the outstanding efforts of a team player.

A young person is nominated by their peers within the club to help us build a community where we recognise the achievements of our teammates.

Each award winner receives a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack himself. They will also choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit the club.

So far the Jack Petchy award has helped us to buy iPads for coach analysis, recording equipment for matches, ladders and agility kit, and has gone towards helping us to create fantastic award evenings and team bonding activities.