Award and Honour for Junior Shark at Home of Yorkshire Cricket

(John being presented with his award by Nick Mitchell)

The Yorkshire cricket ground at Headingley was the venue chosen to make a prestigious award to Junior Shark John Stewart U18. John, who is preparing for yet another campaign with the England team in Cherbough this Easter Weekend, was chosen for the honour of being the inaugural recipient of the Keith Mitchell Memorial Award.

Keith Mitchell OBE died in January after devoting his adult life to promoting and developing basketball at all levels in this country and ensuring that the home countries were properly represented internationally. An award by SportsAid was endowed in his memory. Presenting the award to John at the memorial celebration was Keith Mitchell’s son, Nick. The award which includes a SportsAid bursary was given to the Junior Shark and Silverdale school student, both for his past endeavours, his character, and his future potential within the game. As John’s England U16 Head Coach commented before the event, “John's desire and commitment would have impressed Keith.”

In front of over 70 of the great and the good of basketball and sport past and present, John chose to respond to the award, to mark his thanks and his own recognition of Keith Mitchell. He touched many hearts as he did so.

“It is a single and huge honour being the first sports person to receive the Keith Mitchell Memorial Award.
 
My England and Sheffield coaches all knew Keith and tell of his massive drive within the game. Keith knew that basketball was as much about developing character, self discipline and social skills as playing ball.

Basketball is a sport where respect, enthusiasm and friendship are equal to challenge, skills and competitive spirit. Keith’s energy and the example he set to others has benefitted countless people within the game and those that follow the sport. With so many others, I owe so much to Keith. Thank you all, and Keith, for the Award.”

The thoughts of John as young basketballer, demonstrating the qualities of the man that was being celebrated, provided added poignancy to the day’s event to make it even more special. As the organiser of the celebration remarked later, “It was a daunting prospect for him having to address that audience, but he got it just right – both in the words that he said and the way that he said them.”

After the ceremony England U16 Head Coach Simon Fisher added a further comment, “One of the traits I like about John is his way to express himself, at the right place at the right time. These characters are shown in this speech, and in many ways he was the perfect choice for the award - and he proved why.

In an uplifting event that celebrated so much that is good in sport in this country, it was clear that so much work is done away the sports pitches and playing courts, swimming pools and tracks. It was equally good to see someone so young playing his part in recognising this and being an excellent ambassador for his club and young athletes generally.

(24th March 2010)