As part of the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s 90th anniversary celebrations, nine young people have been recognised as future sector leaders in a special Youth Edition of the organisation’s annual Community Sport and Recreation Awards.
The nine winners were presented with their trophies by Alliance President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, in front of around 200 guests at St James’s Palace. They were recognised in nine different categories, which are outlined below, along with some of their fantastic achievements:
Young Coach of the Year, supported by Sport:80 – Elias Fazli
Elias Fazli is a football coach and youth mentor who volunteers for SportsFun4All and is committed to empowering young people across London through free, inclusive sport. As a full-time university student, he ran over 700 free football sessions in 2024 across five London boroughs, reaching over 1,000 young people, 68.6% of whom come from the most deprived areas.
Young Sustainability Innovator of the Year, supported by Sport and Recreation Alliance – James Bennett
James Bennett is an advocate for sustainability and climate education, using his leadership as President of the University of Stirling Mountaineering Club to promote environmental action and inclusion. He launched the club’s “USMC Doing Good” initiative, engaging members in weekly campaigns on environmental and social issues and is leading a university-wide campaign calling for stronger climate action.
Young Advocate of the Year, supported by 93FT – Sara Yasin
Sara is a passionate advocate for youth employment through sport, using her voice and leadership to influence change from the grassroots to international levels. As a cricket coach with the Wicketz programme and ambassador for Lord’s Taverners, she has empowered countless young people, especially girls, to develop leadership, confidence and life skills.
Young STEM in Sport Award, supported by Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group – Libby Steele
Libby is a sport scientist and PhD graduate from Bangor University whose pioneering research addresses the inequities faced by D/deaf athletes in athletics, particularly regarding reaction time disparities caused by inconsistent starting stimuli. As a D/deaf athlete herself, Libby’s work has been both personal and groundbreaking, combining STEM disciplines with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens to advocate for fairer competition.
Young Inclusivity Champion of the Year, supported by JMW Solicitors – Maryam Chowdhury
Maryam is a pioneering force in inclusive sport and the founder of Beyond the Bias, an organisation dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers that prevent ethnic minority women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent young people, and those from low-income backgrounds from fully participating in sport - redefining what inclusive sport looks like. Over the past year, she has launched Tower Hamlets’ first-ever female-owned, female-only futsal club to provide a culturally sensitive space for ethnic minority girls.
Young Sports Official of the Year, supported by the APPG for Sport and Physical Activity – Aaron Moore
Aaron is a dedicated young leader in the sport of weightlifting whose journey from personal adversity to national recognition is both inspiring and impactful. Despite facing significant challenges in his early life, Aaron found strength and recovery through weightlifting. Today, at just 20 years old, Aaron is among the first in the UK to achieve both his Level 3 international technical official and Level 2 international coaching qualifications in Olympic weightlifting.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year, supported by Sport:80 – Arum Akom
Arum Akom is a trailblazing young entrepreneur transforming access to tennis in the UK. As founder of Black Tennis Mentors CIC UK, he’s pioneered platforms like Project AA (Accomplish Anything) and launched a bursary fund at Butterfly Tennis Club, offering free coaching to underprivileged youth and enabling them to access the huge benefits of sport. His work has significantly increased diversity in tennis and led to national recognition.
Young Community Champion of the Year, supported by IWG on Women & Sport - Athena Bashar
Athena Bashar is a dynamic young leader empowering woman through martial arts and personal development. A qualified boxing and Muay Thai coach, psychology graduate, and youth worker, she founded ModestMoves CIC to create safe, inclusive spaces for women - particularly those from underrepresented communities. Her efforts have earned national recognition, including a ‘Female Rising Star’ nomination at the Muslim Sports Awards.
Young Fundraiser of the Year, supported by Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group - Filip Fiedorowicz
Filip Fiedorowicz has demonstrated exceptional initiative, creativity, and commitment through his work at the London Basketball Association (LBA), where he began as an intern and quickly became a driving force behind impactful community projects. He successfully led the Young Hoopers programme in Westminster, raising over £68,000 to provide basketball sessions and tournaments for 150 young people.
Keep an eye on our social media channels for more on our winners in the coming weeks!
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