CoLA's Jackson Gibbons recognised in New Year's Honours

Jackson Gibbons paid tribute to students and colleagues at the City of London Academy after being recognised in the King's New Year's Honours.

The respected coach was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to young people and to basketball when the 2025 list was announced.

Gibbons said:

"I feel extremely grateful to be acknowledged in this year's honours list. It truly is a testament to being surrounded by such an amazing support network and some phenomenally brilliant young people who make the journey so worth it, without whom there wouldn't be a programme at CoLA Basketball."

Since founding the academy in 2013, Gibbons' drive and leadership has helped make it, with its partner club CoLA Southwark Pride, one of the nation's most successful hotbeds for developing youth talent in both the Elite Academy Leagues and National Basketball League. He has been named coach of the year 12 times, winning a host of national titles at junior and senior level with a series of youthful rosters.

Mike Baxter, Principle at the City of London Academies Trust, wrote on LinkedIn: 

"He has transformed the lives of countless young people through the sport and continues to inspire and motivate in his many roles. I'm looking forward to the direction the programme is moving in and impacting many more lives through the game of basketball."

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