A youth sports coach has won yet another national award for her outstanding work within the Stockport community.
Sasha Moore, who works for Life Leisure, runs the centre’s ParkLives and R Time projects, delivering fun and engaging activity sessions for children across Stockport.
By increasing opportunities for young people and coming up with inventive ways to encourage youngsters to engage with sport, such as creating an orienteering games based on the popular computer game Fortnite, Sasha has seen more than 500 children attend her sessions.
This has had a direct result on anti-social behaviour in the communities she works with, has increased activity levels, and has reduced holiday hunger and social isolation.
Her efforts have seen her win a clutch of awards this year, most recently being named ‘Children and Young People’ Coach of the Year at the prestigious UK Coaching Awards.
Sasha, who has been running sessions in Adswood and Bridgehall for two years, was also awarded ‘Coach of the Year’ at the StreetGames National Awards in August, and ‘Sentinel of the Year’ at Life Leisure’s employee awards last month.
Sasha, who is a keen gymnast and competed alongside Team GB in the European School Games, said: “This year has been fantastic for me – I feel very honoured.
“I love doing my job and the response from the kids and their families makes it all worthwhile, but it’s definitely nice to be recognised on a national level too!”
Sasha, who is a former pupil of Bridgehall Primary School, was presented with her award during a ceremony at the Tower Hotel in London.
As well as receiving an accolade for her work she also met sporting hero Judy Murray OBE, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.
Malcolm McPhail, CEO at Life Leisure, added: “This is a hugely prestigious award. We are absolutely thrilled Sasha’s efforts have been recognised.
“To win three awards in short succession just shows how valued Sasha’s work is, by us and by all the communities and partners she works with.
“Sasha isn’t just providing things for kids to do – she’s supporting them emotionally, she’s giving them confidence and she’s showing them what they can achieve.
“In addition, her work with partners like the police and fire service builds invaluable bridges between young people and authorities, that wouldn’t be there otherwise.”
Almost a hundred youngsters regularly attend the free sessions organised by Sasha and her fellow coaches. They’re able to choose from a range of different activities – anything from football to gymnastics – and are then given coaching together with any equipment needed.