Grealish Honoured With Prestigious Lord Ouseley Award

Jack Grealish has been honoured with the Sports Journalists' Association's Lord Ouseley Award for 2025.

The Lord Ouseley Award recognises an individual or organisation within sport that has led the fight against racism and discrimination, whilst promoting equality and inclusion in sport and wider society.

Jack was presented with the award, in association with Sky Sports and Kick It Out, by KIO CEO Samuel Okafor at Finch Farm today.

Presenting the prize, Samuel Okafor said: "This is a really special award. Lord Ouseley was all about making the game and sport more welcoming and more inclusive for everybody.

"This year we are delighted to give the award to Jack Grealish for the incredible work he continues to do as ambassador for the special Olympics, the way he uses his platform to raise awareness around disabilities and the way he embraces fans, particularly the young Man City fan who has cerebral palsy. Congratulations to Jack on the incredible work he is doing."

Originally the Sky/Kick It Out award for equality and inclusion in sport, the award was renamed in honour of the late Lord Herman Ouseley, founder of the anti-racism charity Kick It Out, following his passing in October 2024.

Previous winners include Gareth Southgate, swimming's Alice Dearing, Troy Deeney and Baroness Sue Campbell, the first winner under its new title.

Jack Grealish has long spoken of the influence of his sister, Hollie, who has cerebral palsy, but not just a champion of equality and inclusion, in 2024 and 2025 he took tangible steps that went beyond symbolism into direct action and support.

One striking example took place via Manchester City’s “City in the Community” (CITC) programme: Jack surprised and played with a One City Disability participant in the club’s Sensory Room, joined him in a match of EA FC 24 and presented a framed signed memento — actions that drew public attention to the club’s powerchair and disability inclusion programmes.

In doing so, Jack not only elevated individual stories, but reinforced the importance of creating accessible sporting spaces.

In another deeply meaningful gesture, Jack sent a personalised video message to a teenage footballer with cerebral palsy who had been told by the system he was “not disabled enough” to play para-football.

His words — urging the young player to persist, maintain hope, and keep playing — resonated across the football and disability communities.

Jack also kept his promise to young Manchester City Fan, Finlay, who has cerebral palsy, by doing a special celebratory dance for him after scoring at the World Cup in 2022.

Jack is also a principal ambassador for Special Olympics GB, a non-profit organisation that provides sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. He took on the long-term role in June 2022 to raise awareness for the organisation, drive support, and champion inclusion.

Not just a figurehead, Jack has actively shared the organisation’s efforts, supported events and helped to maintain visibility for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Jack has already achieved some notable landmarks on the pitch this season. The Premier League Player of the month for August, he also became the first player to achieve notable milestones in several Premier League metrics. With a passing accuracy of 100 per cent, whilst creating three chances, against Fulham on Saturday he became the first player to register four assists and create 20-plus chances in the Premier League this season. He has also been the most fouled player this campaign!

Now he has received a significant honour for his work off it.