John Palmer (above) shows off his BBC London Unsung Hero award
LEWISHAM cricket coach John Palmer is set for a star-studded night out at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards next month, writes Ryan Bangs.
Palmer, who celebrated his 66th birthday last week, was chosen as BBC London's Unsung Hero supported by Robinsons, and received his award from BBC Radio London's David Croft.
The Catford man has been coaching for almost two decades and is the current Lewisham district under-10 team coach while he also coaches at the Catford & Cyphers CC.
Palmer received a £2,500 bursary and will now go to the NEC in Birmingham, where he will rub shoulders with the great and good of British sport at the glittering awards ceremony on Sunday.
He said: "My knees are still shaking a bit at the fact that I have won the award - it is absolutely fantastic and I had no idea that I was going to get nominated.
"It is hard to explain what it feels like. I don't think it has quite sunk in yet. It is quite embarrassing at the moment and a little bit uneasy, but I am sure I will get used to it.
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"I can't wait to go to the actual award ceremony in Birmingham and at 66, I can still be impressed.
"It is such a great thing for cricket in Lewisham and it will definitely help raise the profile of the game in the area, which is predominantly football orientated."
Palmer's legacy in the area is set to continue with some of his old prodigies now turning their hand to coaching.
And with the extra funding from the award set to be spent in the area, Palmer, who was nominated by Teach Sport's Ross Walker, has big plans for cricket in Lewisham.
He explained: "The bursary prize is a massive bonus and that will help a great deal to attract kids to cricket in the area.
"Things we couldn't have done before because of money can now be done and hopefully a lot more kids will get involved.
"Sometimes kids don't have the equipment or are put off by having to pay to come to nets but with the bursary hopefully we will be able to say we can offer six weeks net practice completely free to bring lots more kids in.
"I have helped a lot of children get involved in sport and we now have more than 80 kids involved in cricket in Lewisham
"I have 16 and 17 year olds who I have taught come up to me and say they have done their coaching badges and really want to help children learn how to play the game."
The Sports Unsung Hero award, sponsored by Robinsons, recognises and rewards the outstanding contribution made by individuals to grass roots sport.
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