The 15 winners of BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 Unsung Hero award are announced today, celebrating their individual contribution to grassroots sports across the UK.
These are:
- Moon Mughis (Scotland)
- Rachel Reid (Northern Ireland)
- Ian Bennett (South West)
- Adam Kenyon (South East)
- Stewart Nubley (East Midlands)
- Asha Rage (West Midlands)
- Bob Purcell (West)
- Paul McIntyre (North West)
- Keith Grainge (Yorkshire)
- Kristen Ingraham-Morgan (East Yorks & Lincs)
- Stephen Newton (North East & Cumbria)
There are winners from each of the BBC’s nations and regions, and one overall winner will be revealed live during the ultimate celebration of sporting achievement on BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 on Tuesday 17 December, on BBC One and iPlayer.
The Unsung Hero award celebrates the volunteers who make a positive impact on their community by enabling participation in grassroots sports, bringing people together with a shared passion for sport.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport says “The BBC is proud to celebrate the incredible volunteers who make grassroots sports possible by creating opportunities and bringing communities together. Their passion and dedication are the heart of sport, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on their amazing work through the BBC Sport Personality Unsung Hero award.”
The inspirational sporting stories of each winner have been shared by their local BBC News this evening, and can be found on the BBC Sport website and app.
Moon Mughis (Scotland)
As the first Muslim and Asian woman in Scotland to qualify as an ECB Level 2 cricket coach, Moon has been the driving force behind making the East Kilbride Cricket Club a more inclusive space for women and girls who want to play the sport. Inspired by her daughter, she created a women’s and girl’s section in 2018, which now includes teams competing in the Cricket Scotland Women’s Premier League. Under her leadership, the number of girls playing cricket at the club has more than doubled, while embracing inclusivity and encouraging women and girls from all backgrounds to get involved.
Liam Mackay (Wales)
Liam founded Caerau Ely mini and junior rugby club in 2018, providing opportunities for over 200 children and adults in an area that’s in the bottom 2% of economic output in Wales. Partnering with a local foodbank, he ensures young people receive breakfast if needed and offers free access to rugby with initiatives like a boot bank. His “More than rugby” motto drives a focus on community and the wellbeing of players and their families.
Rachel Reid (Northern Ireland)
As Head Coach of Lagan Dragons, Northern Ireland’s first Dragon Boat Club for those affected by breast cancer, Rachel has built a supportive and empowering community. She dedicates countless hours to training, adapting programs for health needs, and organising regattas, often at her own expense. Under her leadership, the team has earned regatta medals while nearly 100 members have gained confidence and strength through the sport. Rachel’s work highlights the physical and emotional benefits of dragon boating, bringing people together and raising awareness for cancer survivors.
Samra Said (London)
A passionate advocate for Muslim women in cycling, Samra has transformed Cycle Sisters into a thriving charity, inspiring over 1,500 women to take up the sport. As Chair since 2020, she has established new groups, including a new group in Hounslow, and dedicates countless volunteer hours to co-ordinating rides, training leaders, and managing volunteers. Under her leadership, Cycle Sisters now offers regular rides twice a week with over 300 active members. Samra’s work has made cycling more accessible for Muslim women, creating an inclusive and empowering community.
Jean Paton (South)
At 90 years old, Jean is one of the most dedicated volunteers of Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington, Hampshire, where she has contributed for nearly 40 years. As an RYA Dinghy Instructor, she has been a cornerstone of the club’s twice-yearly “Moppy Camps,” inspiring generations of young sailors. Jean’s warmth and dedication has created a nurturing environment, making sailing accessible and enjoyable for hundreds of local children while building their confidence. Her lifelong passion continues to shape the club and its community.
Ian Bennett (South West)
Ian is breaking barriers in surfing for children and adults with special needs. He organises an army of volunteers as part of the ‘Wave Project’ and has worked with surfboard makers to develop an adaptive board that allows surfers to sit up while he or another volunteer steers. Ian has also secured funding for the UK’s first beachside wheelchair-accessible changing room and leads trips to bring surfers to new surfing experiences. His dedication is redefining what’s possible in surfing.
Adam Kenyon (South East)
Passionate about archery and inclusivity, Adam is a teacher at Sittingbourne Community College and the head coach of Sittingbourne Community College Archers (SCCA). He runs the club on a principle of inclusivity, welcoming anyone who wants to take part, regardless of physical, learning, or mental health challenges. Adam has built the club over time, securing sponsorship for equipment, creating a fixed indoor range wall for the school, and taking members to junior national championships. His work offers opportunities for those from an area of deprivation in the Borough of Swale. Adam also organises community engagement through activities with parents, schools, and events like Archery Big Weekends and the Kent Para Championship.
George Sullivan (East)
George, a volunteer with the RNIB Community Connection Team and See Sport Differently Champion, promotes visually impaired sport. Severely sight impaired himself, he campaigns for accessible mainstream sports and actively supports blind and partially sighted individuals. He chairs a Goalball team at Chelmsford Goalball Club, providing opportunities for visually impaired players. Recently, George successfully campaigned for audio description at all Arsenal Women’s matches and is setting up a Showdown Club in Cambridge, while also contributing to a podcast on women’s football. His work has created opportunities for visually impaired individuals to thrive in sport.
Stewart Nubley (East Midlands)
Stewart has spent years transforming the lives of young people through boxing, mentoring, and community outreach as co-founder of Ashfield Spartans Boxing Academy. He’s created an inclusive environment where boxing is a tool for personal transformation, offering programmes for people with disabilities, special needs, and mental health challenges. Despite personal struggles, including a severe cardiac arrest, Stewart’s helped countless young people, especially those at risk of criminal behaviour, to build a positive future.
Asha Rage (West Midlands)
Asha uses sport to keep young people away from gang violence and build bridges in her community. A football coach in Small Heath, she founded Dream Chasers FC in 2016, which now trains over 160 youngsters weekly, and encourages more Muslim girls to take part. The youth club runs daily activities, including Coffee with a Coppa sessions with local police, Street Watch walks, litter picks, English lessons for migrant parents, and healing paint workshops. Asha’s work on and off the pitch has had a significant impact, with parents expressing gratitude for the positive influence she has on their children.
Bob Purcell (West)
Bob has dedicated decades to disability athletics as a volunteer athletics coach at Gloucester Athletics Club. Since 1991 he has dedicated his weekends to supporting grassroots athletics, providing individualised training for athletes with varying needs. When the track fell into disrepair, Bob led efforts to set up the charity Gloucester Athletics Track Management, securing funding to restore the track’s facilities. His passion and determination have helped overcome incredible challenges, allowing athletes to thrive.
Paul McIntyre (North West)
Paul lives and breathes community participation in grassroots sports, welcoming many into the world of triathlon training. As founder of Nantwich Triathlon Club, he also created ‘The Dabbers Dash’, a community run aimed at persuading the local council to complete a perimeter path around a park for safe exercise. Inviting local charities to the event, Paul connects the community with local services. His passion for triathlon and the benefits of exercise inspires others, creating a supportive environment where all achievements are encouraged and celebrated.
Keith Grainge (Yorkshire)
Keith, an 83-year-old widower from North Yorkshire, discovered pickleball after Covid and quickly fell in love with the sport. By 2023, he had introduced it across York, growing a community of over 300 players across six venues. Starting the club with his own money, Keith runs multiple sessions each week for no financial work. He’s a hero to many, improving their physical and mental wellbeing by creating a fun, sociable environment where members laugh and support each other.
Kristen Ingraham-Morgan (East Yorks & Lincs)
Kristen empowers girls to feel strong, mentally and physically, by teaching them about strength training in a female-led environment full of encouragement and fun. She is the founder of Strong Girls Squad (SGS), a voluntary sports and craft club that offers strength training, hot meals, enrichment activities, and inspiring female mentors, helping girls build confidence and friendships. With initiatives like providing essential items and access to books, Kristen ensures there are no barriers to participation. She’s been praised for promoting body positivity and creating an empowering space for teenage girls at a vital stage in their lives.
Stephen Newton (North East & Cumbria)
Stephen has transformed disability inclusive cycling at Stockton Wheelers in the North East of England. Starting with piloting a tandem for a visually impaired cyclist, he expanded to create regular inclusive cycling sessions supported by the club. The sessions now welcome 20-25 riders and includes participants with a variety of disabilities, transforming lives through the Limitless programme (British Cycling’s initiative aimed at removing barriers for disabled people in sport). Stephen has encouraged riders who never thought they could participate in cycling do so with confidence and joy.
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