GB ASSISTANT GIBBONS RECOGNISED IN NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST

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

The Great Britain Men’s assistant coach, Gibbons was deservedly awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to young people and basketball when the 2025 list was announced.

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.

Domestically, Gibbons has been named coach of the year a phenomenal 12 times, winning several national titles at junior and senior levels, exclusively with youthful rosters at the U19 level.

“I feel extremely grateful to be acknowledged in this year’s honours list,” said Gibbons.

“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.”

“[Jackson Gibbons] has transformed the lives of countless young people through the sport and continues to inspire and motivate in his many roles,” said Principle of the City of London Academies Trust, Mike Baxter.

“I’m looking forward to the direction the programme is moving in and impacting many more lives through the game of basketball.”