Naz Khan, right, received his Barclays award from Gareth Southgate
The Barclays Community Sports Award for January 2013 has been awarded to Naz Khan, for his contribution to cricket and the passion he has shown for helping young people through sport.
Khan, a businessman from Mosely, Birmingham, started the Attock Cricket Club in 1989 to help young people. Since then, the club has grown to 120 members, 30 volunteers and runs seven days a week during the cricket season. Khan has extended the programme to multi-sport summer camps, with about 150 young people participating each year.
"It’s about bringing the community together and providing an activity that young people enjoy and can succeed in"
Naz Khan
His dedication to the Attock Cricket Club has meant that it is a place for members to practise the sport on a daily basis, compete at county level and achieve coaching badges. As well as this, Khan places an importance on the club bringing the community together and regularly holds family fun days in the local area.
"I'm thrilled to have won the Barclays Community Sports Award," he said. "I'm extremely proud of all of the volunteers that dedicate their time to the running of the club and I'm thankful to our members who continue to push themselves at each coaching session.
"For us, it's about bringing the community together and providing an activity that young people enjoy and can succeed in. We want to keep teenagers off the streets and get them playing sport and achieving their goals.
"As a result, I want to use a portion of the prize money on paying for some members to achieve their coaching badges, as well as creating a hardship fund for the members who can’t necessarily afford the £3 a week membership fees."
The monthly awards recognise the outstanding contributions to grassroots sport that are being made by individuals up and down the country.
"Naz’s passion for improving people’s lives through a community sports club is really inspiring," said lead judge Gareth Southgate. "As well as having a successful career, it's fantastic to see someone dedicating so much time to others.
"Naz has worked hard to create a successful sports club, and there are many other community champions up and down the country who deserve recognition. I hope people will take the time to nominate deserving candidates like Naz for the Barclays Community Sports Awards."
Each monthly winner receives £1,000 for their group or organisation, half of which will be spent on skills-based qualifications for members. The winner also receives a limited-edition trophy and is entered into the end-of-season award to win a further £5,000, donated by Barclays Spaces for Sports.
"There are many other community champions up and down the country who deserve recognition"
Gareth Southgate
All monthly winners also receive a VIP trip to London in May to an exclusive lunch at the Haymarket Hotel, where the season-long winner will be announced and receive their award from Southgate.
The Barclays Community Sports Awards are delivered in partnership between Barclays Spaces for Sports, the Premier League's Creating Chances programme and the Football Foundation. Southgate heads up the judging panel with representatives from Barclays, the Premier League, the Football Foundation and The Times.
To nominate a person, group or organisation for the Barclays Community Sports Award of the Month simply visit www.barclayscommunitysportsaward.com.
Past winners
December David Amiet, founder of Coaching for a Safer Community, East Sussex
November Katee Hui, founder of Hackney Laces community football team for girls
October Dawn Whitmore-Kirby, for 32 years' service to disabled horse riding
September Stephen Pullen MBE, for his 50 years' service to British judo
More information on the winners here
