YMCA sports coach wins top Norwich learning award
 A community sports coach with YMCA Norfolk, who turned his life around after getting involved in a football project, has been crowned learner of the year at a Norwich awards ceremony.
Jason Mawby, 33, won the top award at the Norwich Community Learning Awards held at Blackfriars Hall, in Norwich. The awards celebrated people who have become an inspiration to others through achievements in adult learning.
In 2009, Jason suffered a breakdown and lost his house and his job as a chef. He said the help he received from the YMCA, where he lived for about a year, and Blue Cat Initiative, which runs Street Life Soccer project, helped boost his confidence and get his life back on track.
He said: “They helped me believe in myself again and it gave me a new lease of life. It has got me into working in sport which is what I have always wanted to do, and I have also got my own flat now.”
Jason joined Street Life Soccer in October 2009. He embraced all aspects of the project with commitment and enthusiasm and gained new skills and qualifications. Last year he became the YMCA Street Life football team’s manager. He has gone on to pursue coaching qualifications and gained employment as a community sports coach with the YMCA.
He said he was honoured to receive the learner of the year award at the ceremony and said he had not expected to win the accolade.
“There were a lot of people at the awards who worked really hard. Everybody should be really proud of themselves,” he said.
Jason received his award from ex Norwich CIty footballer Darren Huckerby (pictured top right).
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