Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) recognises its heroes

Royal Docks based charity Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) has recognised young people, coaches, volunteers, parents and funding partners who have contributed to the organisation’s success over the past 12 months.

The charity, which supports young people with their mental health, safety and personal development while giving them the opportunity to play basketball and gain sports coaching and officiating qualifications, celebrated its own heroes at the NASSA Recognition Awards 2024.

Hosted by the Novotel London ExCeL, the event was an opportunity to celebrate achievements and to thank all those who have contributed over the past year, including longstanding Royal Docks anchor organisations. Tate & Lyle Sugars, ExCeL London and London City Airport have supported NASSA for many years, providing funding for their school-based basketball and mentoring sessions with Tate & Lyle also providing free office space at their Thames Refinery building.

Since NASSA’s early beginnings in 2006, the charity has become one of the most successful and socially conscious basketball clubs in the country. It boasts a long and impressive list of accolades, demonstrating their impact both on and off the court. Their Carry A Basketball Not A Blade (CABNAB) campaign reaches thousands of young people annually through basketball coaching and educational workshops, facilitated in partnership with the Metropolitan Police. The initiative, which aims to alert young people to the dangers of knife crime, recently received funding from Newham’s People Powered Places programme, and supported by the Royal Docks Team, to run regular weekly sessions in schools and youth clubs across the Royal Docks.

Speaking at the celebration event, NASSA Founder and Chief Executive Natasha Hart MBE said: “Words are not enough to recognise the contributions that all of the winners have made to NASSA over the past year. The young people, parents, volunteers and the NASSA coaches all play such a vital role in NASSA’s success. Without its wonderful people, NASSA simply wouldn’t exist and we wouldn’t be able to support hundreds of local disadvantaged young people every year through our mentoring programmes.

Our long-term partners are just as valued by NASSA. It is not just the funding they commit to NASSA every year, but their passion and dedication to the communities they serve.”

Visit NASSA’s website here.