News | Sparrows WBC

A Legend, A Man Bigger Than Life

Sparrows were shocked and rocked by the death of a great man.

While I am sad beyond words known to me, and cannot find the words to describe the feeling, I feel blessed and privileged that my life, like many many others, has been touched by one of the greatest souls.

Leroy passed away, only to remind us the memories, the lessons and the values he presented with his life to thousands of others and the positive attitude and the love he did spread wherever he has been.

Leroy was a caring friend, loving father, kind human and passionate wheelchair basketball player whose message was love wherever he was and whatever he did.

He was the gentlest and kind person I have ever known in my wheelchair basketball life, who taught me and many others, concepts beyond any other coach can ever do.

He was the symbol of what the real wheelchair basketball stood for, he was not after power, or qualifications to make money from the game, he was not rewarded by the Queen or country or fame, or fortune and he never got the recognition he deserved while he was alive. I hope he, his countless contributions and achievements would be recognised now, at least in our hearts and memories. I hope it would be recognised how the meaning, culture, dimensions and colours of the game were changed to become most inclusive and beautiful in spite of all the barriers, because of Leroys of our world.

We shall remember him with love and carry on all the memories, as he shall be alive and with us, so long as his lessons, love and memories live with us.

Love you all, as this great man would.

Join me in sharing his memory.

Thinking of Leroy

Amir

Every time I see a tree, I remember you.

Standing tall, no matter how far your old leaves travelled with the wind, no matter how many branches fallen to the challenges of time.

I see you and remember you. Standing tall, with all the ideas and love you stood for. Every leaf and branch is remembered by someone, and left their marks in their hearts and minds, before they took off.

I remember you and I remember how to stand tall.

Every time I see a tree, I remember you. Not because of sheltering the little sparrows waiting to learn to fly, or the glory of watching those flying free from the branches. I remember determination, sacrifice and love. I remember to stand tall.

We travelled thousands of miles together and seen adventures beyond imaginations, we challenged the life itself, only to remember ourselves, and how to stand tall, despite all the highs and lows, and all that was forgotten by many others.

Thank you, my friend. I shall remember you.

Amir

A Great Day, with great people to remember a Legend, Leroy.

We had a great day on Saturday, 7th of June, with over a hundred people turining up to pay their respect for Leroy Dobson. We had people from 5 generations of Sparrows players, ex colleagues, friends and family members, and those other players who have known Leroy over the years. Some travelled hundreds of miles to be there, in that hot London day.

We had non-stop games of all levels, refreshments, speeches and sharing great memories and writing in Leroy's book, all that while watching England progress to semis!

I was extremly pleased to see so many faces and freinds some of whom I had not seen for long time, and to see how everyone enjoyed the day.

I thank you all, those who turned up, or could not turn up but told us or their thoughts were with us, and all people who cared about Leroy.

P~lease note we have not managed to collect much for him and there is a link for contributions for those who have not yet and wish to do so.

In memory of Leroy, with love

Amir