MAHA MOHSIN WINS LORD'S TAVERNERS IMPACT AWARD
Glasgow Wicketz participant and volunteer, Maha Mohsin, received a Lord’s Taverners Impact Award at The Kia Oval last week (Tuesday 6 October) in recognition of her perseverance and influence as a strong role model, helping create a positive environment for girls playing cricket in the community.
Maha is the first recipient of the Lord’s Taverners EDI Champion Award, selected by the charity’s inaugural cohort of Youth Ambassadors in recognition of her resilience, leadership and impact within her community.
After joining Wicketz in Pollokshields, Glasgow, Maha initially faced barriers as a girl playing cricket in a predominantly male environment. Rather than step back, she persevered and has since become a Wicketz volunteer and coach, helping create a more welcoming environment for other girls and encouraging more young people to take part.
Through youth voice activities and community events, Maha has helped shape Wicketz around the needs and perspectives of local young people, while challenging perceptions around girls and women in sport. Her confidence and leadership have also supported her ambition to become a doctor, with Maha crediting the skills she developed through cricket as helping her pursue her goal.
Maha’s example continues to inspire others and change attitudes towards inclusion across her community.
She was one of four winners on the night to be presented with an award by England men’s cricketer Ollie Pope, mixed disability international Jonny Gale and former England women’s international, Lucy Pearson.
Maha had this to say on her award win: “Winning the award was a really special and proud moment for me, especially because Wicketz has been such an important part of my life for so many years. It has given me the opportunity to grow in confidence, develop my leadership skills and give back to my community through cricket. It has also allowed me to meet so many new people and build strong bonds with the children involved, which is something I really value and cherish.
“Wicketz in Pollokshields is much more than just cricket. It brings young people together, gives them a safe and supportive space, and creates opportunities that they might not otherwise have. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved with Wicketz for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to become a young leader and coach.”
Wicketz is a free community cricket programme aimed at young people aged 8-19 living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage, using cricket as a tool for social change. Delivered by the Lord’s Taverners in conjunction with local county cricket boards, Wicketz is about improving the prospects of young people and helping them gain the life skills they need to thrive and realise their potential through cricket.
You can view the film created to capture Maha’s story here - https://youtu.be/BAKoUyno1VQ
To find out more about Wicketz, visit www.lordstaverners.org/wicketz
If you would like to get involved with Wicketz in Glasgow, visit https://www.cricketscotland.com/Play/Community/LordTaverners to find out more and contact Glasgow’s Disability Development Officer.