Protest over axing of sports staff - “My kids have benefited from Mike Jackson's profes­sionalism", says Alastair Campbell

Published: 28 April 2011
by TOM FOOT

ALASTAIR Campbell has rushed to the defence of a popular sports coach sacked after 27 years working for Camden Council.

The journalist and former Downing Street aide posted on his blog about the loss of Mike Jackson, one of three popular sports development officers to lose their jobs.

Mr Campbell said: “My own three children have all benefited at various times from his profes­sionalism, his organisational skills, his willingness to work long hours often seven days a week to make sure kids who want to be good at sport have the best chance of being so.”

Mr Jackson, Will Cave and Juan Escobar have fallen victim to a pre-Olympic “restructuring” by Camden Council.

The sports officers encourage children to become involved in organised sport and join  up with professional clubs.

Parents and children are to demonstrate in an hour-long “silent pro­test” outside a sports centre from 4.30pm on Wednesday.

Protest organiser Jane Cotter said: “We’d like as many parents and children to come along as possible, wearing their yellow Camden sports T-shirts if they have them, to show their support.”

In more than 20 years in Camden, Mr Jackson has helped thousands of children become trained athletes, including many of the borough’s best long-distance runners.

Bella Doolan, 7, said: “I will not be able to do all the fun activities in running and my teachers don’t have time to organise competitions.”

Year 9 student Sophia Parvizi-Wayne added: “I feel it’s a great shame, with the 2012 Olympics app­roach­­ing  that Camden should let go of some­one as experienced, patient and committed as Mike Jackson, who has a gift of supporting children, particularly teenagers.”

A council spokes­woman said: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, we estimate the total workforce of the council will reduce by nearly 1,000 people as we continue to work within the financial real­ity of less funding from central government.

“All staff affected by the Sports and Physical Service reorganisation were treated fairly and equally and in strict accordance with the council’s organisational change procedure.”

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