Ashley Facey Thompson, who at only 16 has been picked to represent Great Britain in table tennis at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, has won the Canary Wharf Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Facey Thompson, who attends Morpeth School in Bethnal Green, was presented with the trophy at the Canary Wharf Sports Awards ceremony at the East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf. Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, West Ham United’s Joey O’Brien, MPs and celebrity builder Tommy Walsh were among the East London dignitaries in attendance on the evening to encourage the assembly of talented East End youngsters to reach their sporting potential.
Facey Thompson is the number one ranked disabled table tennis player in the country, having represented the Great Britain senior men’s team since he was 14. Last year he won two gold medals and one silver medial at the National Disability Table Tennis Championships and led the Great Britain team to gold at both the Italian and German Opens.
Facey Thompson hails from Tower Hamlets and is coached by Grant Solder. Morpeth School is famous for producing many of the very best table tennis players in the country, of which Facey Thompson is the cream of the latest crop.
The list of winners on the evening included:
Sports Personality of the Year: Ashley Facey Thompson, Table Tennis
Junior Team of the Year: Westward Boys Football Club Under 13 B Team, who won both the London and Essex County Cups in 2011, in addition to the Waltham Forest League
Senior Team of the Year: Ralph Humphrey and Bob Milligan from the Poplar Blackwall and District Rowing Club, who have been unbeaten in all international and domestic masters rowing competitions in 2011, winning the World Masters title in Poland, the Britain Masters and the Henley Masters Veterans titles
Group Achievement Award: Newark Youth London, a pan Tower Hamlets youth and sports club which recruited 200 new members in 2011, and set up multiple new women’s exercise groups, football teams and after school clubs.
John Garwood, Group Company Secretary at Canary Wharf Group plc, said:
“If people have drive and focus, then remarkable things can happen, and this year’s winners are testament to that. There is no doubt East London has some of the world’s best sporting talent which will be on display at London 2012; however it is important to inspire and nurture the next generation.” he said.
The eleventh annual Canary Wharf Sports Awards were organised by Canary Wharf Group, which for over 20 years has invested in sport to foster social and economic development in the local area. The awards encourage sporting excellence and participation around East London.