Chance to Shine Street coach, Saba Nasim, received national recognition for her work on the programme after winning the Coach of the Year Award at the Asian Cricket Awards earlier this week (13 October). The award, sponsored by All Out Cricket, recognised Saba's work promoting and running the successful girl's, Chance to Shine Street project in Wanstead, East London. The judging panel included former Chance to Shine Chief Executive Wasim Khan, Mike Gatting and The Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi.Chance to Shine Street supported by Lycamobile was launched in 2008 to bring cricket to young people in urban areas where there are few green spaces and fewer traditional cricket clubs. The charity is also using the game to promote social cohesion and connect young people from different backgrounds in diverse communities. Talking after receiving the award Saba said, "Picking up this award feels like all the hard work I have put in has paid off. I am delighted to have won. It is a fantastic achievement and I am proud to represent women in sport. "I was nominated alongside some respected male coaches so to beat them to this award means a lot to me. I work hard to inspire girls within my community at grassroots level and help improve their confidence.

"It pleases me to know that the girls I work with will be so made up knowing I have won coach of the year. There are many female coaches out there doing a great job, so I would like to praise them for the work that that they are doing. Hopefully this sends a positive message.Saba, and fellow coach Hannah Newman, got the Chance to Shine Street project in East London off the ground by running taster sessions at 18 sites. Essex Cricket Board supported them and delivered a as Coach Support Worker's course to teach the girls to umpire, score and coach. They arranged a visit from Olympic hockey Bronze medallist, Chloe Rodgers, and;have also introduced workshops on First Aid. Hannah and Saba have acted as role models and mentors for the girls involved, including passing on advice regarding education, career plans and dealing with exam stress.