THE tragic death of former St Mary’s School, Menston, student Jordan Sinnott last January touched the heart of the nation and indeed beyond.

Jordan, a footballer who played for Huddersfield Town among other clubs, had always been a great supporter of the Menston-based Bambisanani Partnership.

This month two specially commissioned awards in his memory were presented by the charity for Sportsman and Sportswomen of the Year at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

“This is all very positive and just the kind of thing that Jordan would love.”

The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award winning charity that has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work in the most deprived rural area of South Africa using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.

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.

Nombulelo said: “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.”

Mzwandile said: “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.”

The Principal of Vumanhlamvu School, Mr William Vilakazi, had actually met Jordan when he visited St Marys in 2011.

He said: “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.”

Following Jordan’s death, the phenomenal ‘Sinnott 25’ football shirt campaign not only received shirts from every football league club in the country but 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).

David Geldart, founder and chair of 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 particular prized possession!

“Massive congratulations to Nombulelo and Mzwandile; we are all very proud of you.

For more information about the partnership see: www.bambisananipartnership.org