TO COMMEMORATE the life of former BBC sports broadcaster and a founding judge of these awards, Helen Rollason, who died of cancer eight years ago, this Award was established in her memory to recognise inspirational endeavour within sport – and there are few who epitomise that more than this year’s deserving recipient, Joanna Gardiner.

This 23-year-old is studying for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education in PE at the University of Brighton, with the ambition of one day becoming a PE Teacher, but it is her diligent and unpaid activities away from the campus that separate her from your normal student.

For the past three years Gardiner has been involved as a volunteer with the pioneering Football For Peace project, based in northern Israel, the concept of which is incredibly simple: to encourage the integration of Jewish and Arabs boys and girls, aged between 10-15, through the sport of football. And, since becoming involved, Gardiner has established herself as a significant member of this team.

“I have learned so much," Gardiner said. "I have learned that Israel is not a country that is it properly portrayed [in the media]. They are very humble and appreciative of our project. Football is a language that so many people understand. It is a tool that can be used for benefit and bringing out the values we teach.”

Not only does she unselfishly spend part of her free time coaching youngsters in one of the most politically sensitive areas in the world, running a tournament for 50 girls playing in mixed-religious teams in March prior to Israel’s Euro 2008 qualifying match with England, she also teaches potential adult coaches from different parts of Europe, travelling to Northern Ireland and Germany, hoping to spread the ethos of peace and co-existence through football in particularly divided communities. She also spends her time working in projects in the UK that help and support refugee and immigrant children.

A keen footballer, who once played for Arsenal Ladies and carried the flag for Britain in Rome this summer at the European University women’s football championships, Gardiner is a resourceful, energetic, vibrant and passionate person who inspires all of her University colleagues and has all the necessary attributes required for an exceptional career as a PE teacher. A reminder that with people like Gardiner the future of our country is in safe hands.

“She is a real example to her peer group as well as to many young women and girls involved in sport, “ Gary Stidder, senior lecturer in PE at the University of Brighton, said. “She has always set and maintained very high professional standards and has been a real example for others in her field to follow."

Presented by: Sarah Brown, wife of the Prime Minister

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