There’s no doubt the last 18 months have been challenging for individuals, families, clubs and communities navigating lockdown. We’ve had to cope with isolation, worrying about our loved ones, working differently, interacting with each other differently and limitations on being able to participate in the activities we enjoy due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Importantly, the pandemic has really served to highlight the essential role that taking regular exercise can have in looking after our physical and mental wellbeing, which is why this year our #PassOnYourPassion award campaigns are a celebration of coaches, clubs and unsung heroes in the community who have continued to inspire others to get active despite the challenges of the pandemic.

During the summer we put a call out for you to nominate individuals who have gone above and beyond to provide sport and physical activity opportunities in your local area.

We were thrilled to recognise amazing people from four different organisations for their outstanding efforts in helping people to be more active. It was an honour to celebrate them for the great work they’re doing in encouraging participation, largely at a grassroots and community level.

The unsung heroes to receive awards were Zoe Chandler and her Weights & Cakes Barbell Club in Sunderland, Graham Low, a personal trainer and owner of East Coast Fitness in Seaham, the Junior Coaching Team at Newcastle Vikings Handball Club and Martin Hylton and Carlos Martinez at Gateway Studio, who have worked together to deliver a dance programme to young people in the Gateshead and Newcastle area during lockdown.

In just a few short weeks Rise will be announcing a further six #PassOnYourPassion award winners.

Amy Scott, Empowering People Development Manager at Rise, explains: “Our #PassOnYourPassion campaign is a fantastic way of recognising someone who has made a real difference. Everyone at Rise wants to share the amazing work our coaches, instructors, schools, youth workers, carers and key workers are doing to help keep communities across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear active through these uncertain times.

“The recipients were chosen because they really stood out as being outstanding in the world of sport and physical activity, especially during lockdown and as the lockdown restrictions eased. They have each continued to go above and beyond to meet the needs of their participants, offering not just opportunities for them to be physically active, but also by providing additional support. Each nominee is extremely valued for the service they offer to their communities and they really understand and want to help the participants they work with.”

Here’s what some of the nominations had to say:

Weights & Cakes Barbell Club:

“Zoe promotes weightlifting and fitness and wants to grow the club. I first heard about the club via an article on social media promoting weightlifting and encouraging people who would normally feel a bit intimidated by gyms to attend and at the same time promoting wellbeing and mental health. Zoe is a great coach, I know she motivates my son to do his best at all times and encourages team work for all participants. Zoe deserves a Pass on Your Passion Award.”

East Coast Fitness

“Graham continued to offer a full range of boot camps and personal training remotely through the lockdowns. In addition, he ran sessions on mind-set to support his clients’ mental health free of charge. He checked in on clients who did not log into virtual sessions to ensure that they were coping during the lockdowns.”

Newcastle Vikings Handball Club

“The junior coaching team of Newcastle Vikings have four incredible coaches: MJ, Katerina, Maria, and Adam. Through these last challenging 18 months they have all stepped up and continued coaching our young players be it via ZOOM or in the sports hall or on the beach every week. They have come up with alternative, fun exercises and new ways for the young players to engage with each other while restrictions have been in place.”

Gateway Studio

“Throughout the lockdowns Martin and Carlos have accessed their international networks to deliver weekly dance classes to young people at risk of feeling isolated in their own communities. Each week the group of young people have been taught by different professional dance artists from around the globe. These international dancers perform with some of the greatest companies in the world and due to funding from Rise have been able to buy much needed technology to make these classes happen.”

Don’t forget to keep an eye on our social media feeds and here, on the Rise website, for more information on our next round of #PassOnYourPassion 2021 Award Winners.

Let’s celebrate the people in our communities who go the extra mile for others to participate in sport.