patrons

Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP

Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) has proved an outstanding success over the past six years, engaging the community in basketball. It is now the biggest basketball club in London. Its impressive achievements on the court reflect great credit on the dedication and commitment of the coaches and players. With basketball a major focus at the Olympic Park at Stratford next summer, and NASSA’s ambitious new partnership with University of East London, even more young people will want to get involved.

I am absolutely delighted to be associated as patron with NASSA, because of the benefits to the community of the projects and programmes it is delivering, and its commitment to the young people of Newham.

Highlights for me of the past year have included NASSA’s ‘Carry a Basketball not a blade’ tournament with the Metropolitan Police, a fantastic initiative to reduce knife crime; and the 2nd Annual Achievement Awards at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate the achievements of NASSA and the skill and dedication of the players.

It has never been more important to engage young people in sport, and young people’s interest in sport has never been greater than it will be in the coming year. I look forward to NASSA making a big contribution.

Honorary Patron of Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA)

Rt Hon Steven Timms MP also wrote an article on NASSA called ‘Going for Gold’

Monsignor John Armitage

There is a growing anticipation regarding the forthcoming Olympics next year and even in spite of recent events on the streets of London we can recognise that sport has an enormous impact on the lives of young people. 

NASSA long before Newham became an Olympic Borough embodied the very best of the vision of committed adults providing an opportunity for young people to engage in their community through sporting activities.

If there is a legacy for 2012 some of it certainly will be buildings but the greatest will be the commitment of ordinary people like Natasha and Coach Chris who with their dedicated team of helpers have introduced so many young people to the challenges of sport.

Once again I am delighted to congratulate them on this year and hope that the impact of the Olympics in our Borough of Newham will strengthen this great work long after the games are over.