Jordan Sinnott honoured in South Africa
The tragic death of former St. Mary’s student, Jordan Sinnott last January touched the heart of the nation and indeed beyond. Jordan had always been a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and this week two specially commissioned awards in his memory were presented by the charity for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Nombulelo Biyela and Mzwandile Zondi
The Bambisanani Partnership Sportswoman of the Year Award in Memory of Jordan Sinnott was won by Nombulelo Biyela
The Bambisanani Partnership Sportsman of the Year Award in Memory of Jordan Sinnott was won by Mzwandile Zondi
This is the first time that any awards have ever been presented at the school and there was much excitement as the two winners were announced at a special ceremony. The recipients were both surprised and delighted:
““I am very happy and feel very much honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award in memory of Jordan Sinnott. I am the first person ever in our school to lift such an award and I would like to thank our Principal Mr Vilakazi and my educators for nominating me. I would like to thank again the Bambisanani Partnership for their kindness and support to our school and also to Jordan’s family who are in our prayers.” ”
““I am so very excited to be a first recipient of this award in memory of Jordan Sinnott in the United Kingdom. Although this was the toughest year due to Covid 19 my teachers have managed to recognise my talent. I would like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate it. I would like also to send my special thanks to the Bambisanani Partnership and to the Sinnott family for all this. May Jordan’s soul rest in peace. Thank you Bambisanani Partnership.””
The Principal of Vumanhlamvu School, Mr William Vilakazi had actually met Jordan when he visited St. Mary’s in 2011. “Yes, I remembered meeting Jordan as soon as I saw the photograph – I remember his smile and how respectful he was. I also saw him play football – what a talent! It is a great honour to have these very special awards in memory of Jordan installed at our school which serves a very remote and deprived community. These awards will raise spirits and motivate our learners in sports and in the classroom – healthy minds need healthy bodies. The interest in the awards is amazing and I can foresee tough competition in sports in the year ahead at Vumanhlamvu. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Jordan’s family and friends; Jordan will become part of life at Vumanhlamvu School.
St. Mary’s Menston Students and Staff
From left to right:
Aisling Hendron, Sabrina Spilker, Millie Carroll, Oscar Helliwell, Archie Bange, Dion Barber, Joe Newman, Matt Harvey, David Geldart, Julia Findlay, Charlotte Wood and Catherine Chattoe.
Following Jordan’s death the phenomenal ‘Sinnott 25’ football shirt campaign not only received shirts from every football league club in the country it went on to receive over 850 sports shirts from more than 30 countries from around the world! More than 100 of these shirts will be going out to South Africa when Bambisanani volunteers from St. Mary’s visit next summer (Covid permitting).
The Bambisanani Partnership Sportsman of the Year Award in Memory of Jordan Sinnott
David Geldart from the partnership had worked very closely with Jordan at St. Mary’s as he prepared to become a professional footballer and had remained in contact when he had left school. David said: “Jordan was an amazing young man; a massive character with a heart of gold. Despite his phenomenal talent he was always modest and unassuming. He loved the Bambisanani Partnership and was a great supporter. The awards in South Africa will encourage learners, year on year, to be the best that they can be. With an award also to be introduced at St. Mary’s School a wonderful legacy has been established that will ensure that Jordan will always be remembered and that he will continually inspire others. Taking his shirts out to South Africa will be amazing; Zulu children absolutely love football and I can see a ‘Sinnott 25’ shirt becoming a particularly prized possession! Massive congratulations to Nombulelo and Mzwandile; we are all very proud of you. This is all very positive and just the kind of thing that Jordan would love.”
WATCH: "A little true miracle" - Former @htafc @ChesterfieldFC @FCHTOnline footballer Jordan Sinnott never got to meet his daughter Maisie, but his fiancee Kelly and mum Mel will ensure she'll grow up knowing all about her dad - @chrisdawkesITV reports pic.twitter.com/Riy17DMhfd
— ITV News Calendar (@itvcalendar) October 9, 2020
