A LEADING Middlesbrough basketball coach and community activist has been honoured for his work this week by Mayor Ray Mallon.
Tony Hanson received a Middlesbrough Mayor’s Award at a special ceremony in the Town Hall on Thursday, February 5.
Following a spell with New Orleans Jazz in 1977 Tony played professional basketball in Italy, France, Northern Ireland and England.
The sport eventually led him to the Tees Valley Mohawks, where he became head coach during the very successful years 2000 to 2010, with the Mohawks being crowned England Basketball national champions five years in succession.
He is the current chairman of Tees Valley Mohawks Basketball Club who compete in the top tier of English basketball.
After retiring from playing, Tony set up Hoop Dreams Social Enterprise, putting his degree in Special Education to use in co-ordinating a community-based sport and educational initiative to help young people with educational problems, using basketball as a vehicle to address teenage health and community issues.
He is also the current chairman of Middlesbrough’s Black & Minority Ethnic Network, championing community issues and support for under-represented ethnic groups in the town and the wider region.
His charitable work led to the award of an MBE in 2007 in recognition of his contribution to sport and community work in the Tees Valley.
Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: “After an international basketball career, Tony chose to settle in Teesside and dedicate his time to improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable young people.
“He has brought his vast experience, commitment and hard work to bear on a number of community initiatives which have made a real difference to the lives of countless people.
“He has made an important contribution to the life of the town and the wider Tees area, and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this Mayor’s Award.”