Fatima celebrates National Award success

Capital 6 student Fatima picked up a prestigious national award during the Youth Sport Trust’s 2018 Conference for her inspiring story of determination and leadership through sport.

Fatima won the national children’s charity’s Beckwith CARE Award, recognising and rewarding best practice and achievements through PE and sport by schools, colleges, and young people. She is a perfect example of how leadership can prove a really powerful instrument of development. Spotted early on through the Brent Local People Project run by YST on behalf of the People’s Health Trust, Fatima was encouraged to bring her own initially difficult experience of school and use it to develop as a leader. From this initial experience of leadership, Fatima was then given the opportunity to lead within school, helping with after school activities and she began to lead activity herself.

She said: “I was aware early on that I was a powerful role model. I am a Muslim female from the Somali community and this gave me a status among other girls particularly those from my own community. I began to promote my sessions when meeting the other girls, encouraging them to attend and pointing out the benefits of activity.”

Fatima has encouraged young girls from Capital to attend sessions, and as some have learned of her association with Queens Park Rangers Football Club, they have taken the opportunity to help them make the transition from school to community football.

One of Fatima’s most significant achievements involves her own community. Many young people are not encouraged to go out, as the local playing areas are seen as dangerous, especially for young girls. Fatima’s status, and the trust placed in her by parents, has enabled her to encourage children to play in a park adjacent to her neighbourhood.