After three days of hectic interviews, highly competitive golf and racing with the Academy members, a game of football with local children should have been a relaxing way to start the day of the awards – It wasn’t! But then what do you expect when professional sportsmen and women take part, namely Daley Thompson, Butch James, Hugo Porta and Nawal El Moutawakel. Watching the launch of a new Laureus project right here in Abu Dhabi really showcased the work the academy does week in, week out.
Kevin Spacey hosting the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi
Departure from Mathieson Youth Centre, Milton Keynes followed by cycle to Trax project in Oxford.
What a memorable day. We had our largest peloton (18 riders) which included 2 outstanding sportsmen from past and present – Steve Waugh (Laureus Academy member) and Butch James (Friend & Ambassador). Both are top guys and I’m grateful to them for supporting us on the fifth stage of the ride.
The route from Oxford to Newbury took us through some awesome scenery and over a few mean hills. There is quite a range of standard among the riders but everyone has been supporting eachother and working as a team to get the pack over the top of the tough climbs. As someone who competed alone back in the day, it’s a good learning experience to watch team sportsmen like Steve Waugh, Butch James and Hugo Porta show their leadership skills on the ride. This really fits in nicely with the theme of the campaign and I was proud to take them to the Nacro project at the Riverside Youth and Community Centre near Newbury.
I’m getting quite tired now but every time we arrive at a project, it gives me a real boost and revs me up for the next day of riding. Tomorrow will be a long day – leaving the Vodafone HQ in Newbury for a 70 mile journey to Brent.
