The climax of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award for someone who has shown a commitment of at least 20 years to sport and active lifestyles, won by football referee Stuart, who has been involved in the game at all levels for more than 60 years. Over the decades, he progressed his career until officiating at Football League Youth Lions Under-21s matches from 1985 until recently. His claim to fame includes refereeing a Lancashire Youth League game - Manchester United vs Bury - when he made it into the tabloid press for cautioning Sir Alex Ferguson for dissent! Stuart has refereed in the Lancashire Amateur League for over 40 years, and in 2018 was appointed LAL president. He has also been president of the Burnley Referees’ Association, manager of Brunlea Juniors and the fourth official at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground many times and is well known for being an avid Burnley FC fan. The judges said: “Stuart has been instrumental in coaching and training new referees for future generations, and as he reaches a ripe old age and his career will be coming to an end in the near future, this is the perfect year to recognise his dedication to refereeing and football over the last 61 years.”The climax of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award for someone who has shown a commitment of at least 20 years to sport and active lifestyles, won by football referee Stuart, who has been involved in the game at all levels for more than 60 years. Over the decades, he progressed his career until officiating at Football League Youth Lions Under-21s matches from 1985 until recently. His claim to fame includes refereeing a Lancashire Youth League game - Manchester United vs Bury - when he made it into the tabloid press for cautioning Sir Alex Ferguson for dissent! Stuart has refereed in the Lancashire Amateur League for over 40 years, and in 2018 was appointed LAL president. He has also been president of the Burnley Referees’ Association, manager of Brunlea Juniors and the fourth official at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground many times and is well known for being an avid Burnley FC fan. The judges said: “Stuart has been instrumental in coaching and training new referees for future generations, and as he reaches a ripe old age and his career will be coming to an end in the near future, this is the perfect year to recognise his dedication to refereeing and football over the last 61 years.”
The climax of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award for someone who has shown a commitment of at least 20 years to sport and active lifestyles, won by football referee Stuart, who has been involved in the game at all levels for more than 60 years. Over the decades, he progressed his career until officiating at Football League Youth Lions Under-21s matches from 1985 until recently. His claim to fame includes refereeing a Lancashire Youth League game - Manchester United vs Bury - when he made it into the tabloid press for cautioning Sir Alex Ferguson for dissent! Stuart has refereed in the Lancashire Amateur League for over 40 years, and in 2018 was appointed LAL president. He has also been president of the Burnley Referees’ Association, manager of Brunlea Juniors and the fourth official at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground many times and is well known for being an avid Burnley FC fan. The judges said: “Stuart has been instrumental in coaching and training new referees for future generations, and as he reaches a ripe old age and his career will be coming to an end in the near future, this is the perfect year to recognise his dedication to refereeing and football over the last 61 years.”

In pictures: A night to remember at the Active Burnley Awards

By John Deehan
Published 7th Jul 2023, 15:26 BST
Updated 7th Jul 2023, 15:26 BST
There was no shortage of local sporting superstars at this year’s Active Burnley Awards.

Hosted by former Lionesses goalkeeper turned TV pundit, Rachel Brown-Finnis, the awards are held each year to celebrate those in the borough who work tirelessly to support individuals or clubs, for the love of the sport or their community.

Here’s a closer look at all the big winners from a glittering night at the Burnely Mechanics:

Awais – known as AJ – began as a teenage volunteer coach for the Burnley Sports Development Team. He has been committed to improving opportunities through sport for over 20 years most notably at Daneshouse FC, starting as a player, then a volunteer coach and now as club chair. He has recently led on developing the canal side centre as a community venue and youth club, creating another safe space and more opportunities for young people. He does all this on top of a full-time teaching job and having his own family. The judges said: “AJ is a true example of a young person being given opportunities and then using them to develop himself as a leader, constantly giving back to the community. He is a proper role model, respected by so many.”

5. Volunteer of the Year – Awais Javid

Awais – known as AJ – began as a teenage volunteer coach for the Burnley Sports Development Team. He has been committed to improving opportunities through sport for over 20 years most notably at Daneshouse FC, starting as a player, then a volunteer coach and now as club chair. He has recently led on developing the canal side centre as a community venue and youth club, creating another safe space and more opportunities for young people. He does all this on top of a full-time teaching job and having his own family. The judges said: “AJ is a true example of a young person being given opportunities and then using them to develop himself as a leader, constantly giving back to the community. He is a proper role model, respected by so many.” Photo: Andy Ford

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This award is given to a project showcasing true collaboration to achieve its aims and objectives. Burnley Linked is a partnership for connecting and sharing that focuses on voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise groups and charity organisations in and around Burnley. The group regularly feeds back into the Burnley Together Health and Wellbeing Partnership. The Burnley Linked network meets on the last Thursday of every month at 10am, with the meeting taking place online, making it accessible to more partners and members. The partner list is extensive, and members include BPRCVS, PCN East, PCN West, Burnley Borough Council, Burnley Leisure and Culture, Calico, Participation works, UCLan, Brighter Lives, Building Bridges Burnley, BFCitC, Carers Link, Cherry Fold Primary School, and Gannow Community Centre, to name a few.

6. Burnley Together Partnership Award – Burnley Linked

This award is given to a project showcasing true collaboration to achieve its aims and objectives. Burnley Linked is a partnership for connecting and sharing that focuses on voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise groups and charity organisations in and around Burnley. The group regularly feeds back into the Burnley Together Health and Wellbeing Partnership. The Burnley Linked network meets on the last Thursday of every month at 10am, with the meeting taking place online, making it accessible to more partners and members. The partner list is extensive, and members include BPRCVS, PCN East, PCN West, Burnley Borough Council, Burnley Leisure and Culture, Calico, Participation works, UCLan, Brighter Lives, Building Bridges Burnley, BFCitC, Carers Link, Cherry Fold Primary School, and Gannow Community Centre, to name a few. Photo: Andy Ford

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Dragons Kickboxing Club celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Open seven-days-a-week, it provides up to 26 hours of classes every week, serving children as young as three years up to adults aged 50-plus. The club has inspired lots of young people working at the heart of the most deprived area of Burnley. It prides itself on being totally inclusive, inspiring young people to work hard, learn vital life skills, discipline, and respect for other people. It strives to reduce many barriers to participation including costs and always tries to find a way to support young people to attend who struggle to pay for their classes. Dragons Kickboxing Club founder, Steven has been teaching martial arts for 21 years. Although he has a young family, Steven’s dedication and devotion to his students is truly second to none. His typical day includes teaching three group lessons at one hour each, plus four 1-1 lessons at an hour each. His students have achieved English, British, European, Five Nations and World Championship titles. He has secured funding from local business Depher to support young people who cannot afford to pay for classes - with a year’s worth of free sessions being offered to these families. Steven also works in partnership with Active Lancashire, delivering sessions for their target groups, in particular people with substance misuse and complex needs.

7. Club of the Year (Dragons Kickboxing Club) AND Coach of the Year (Steven Wong)

Dragons Kickboxing Club celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Open seven-days-a-week, it provides up to 26 hours of classes every week, serving children as young as three years up to adults aged 50-plus. The club has inspired lots of young people working at the heart of the most deprived area of Burnley. It prides itself on being totally inclusive, inspiring young people to work hard, learn vital life skills, discipline, and respect for other people. It strives to reduce many barriers to participation including costs and always tries to find a way to support young people to attend who struggle to pay for their classes. Dragons Kickboxing Club founder, Steven has been teaching martial arts for 21 years. Although he has a young family, Steven’s dedication and devotion to his students is truly second to none. His typical day includes teaching three group lessons at one hour each, plus four 1-1 lessons at an hour each. His students have achieved English, British, European, Five Nations and World Championship titles. He has secured funding from local business Depher to support young people who cannot afford to pay for classes - with a year’s worth of free sessions being offered to these families. Steven also works in partnership with Active Lancashire, delivering sessions for their target groups, in particular people with substance misuse and complex needs. Photo: Andy Ford

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Noor is a volunteer at Shah Jalal Mosque in Burnley and started the Stoneyholme community project, which aims to get people connecting and socially interacting to increase their overall wellbeing, for which he was named Volunteer of the Year at the National Beacon Mosque Awards. He works full time but uses his spare time to run different activities and initiatives including careers fairs, regular sports sessions in partnership with Burnley FC in the Community, and other partner organisations. Weekly sports sessions take place at Stoneyholme Primary School and at the community hall, introducing young people to sports and youth activities. The Shah Jalal Mosque is also working with Burnley Council to develop a community garden onsite, to encourage outdoor activity through gardening, whilst also connecting to nature, looking at food sustainability, healthy eating, and improving both physical, mental health and wellbeing.

8. Individual Contribution to Active Communities – Noor Miah

Noor is a volunteer at Shah Jalal Mosque in Burnley and started the Stoneyholme community project, which aims to get people connecting and socially interacting to increase their overall wellbeing, for which he was named Volunteer of the Year at the National Beacon Mosque Awards. He works full time but uses his spare time to run different activities and initiatives including careers fairs, regular sports sessions in partnership with Burnley FC in the Community, and other partner organisations. Weekly sports sessions take place at Stoneyholme Primary School and at the community hall, introducing young people to sports and youth activities. The Shah Jalal Mosque is also working with Burnley Council to develop a community garden onsite, to encourage outdoor activity through gardening, whilst also connecting to nature, looking at food sustainability, healthy eating, and improving both physical, mental health and wellbeing. Photo: Andy Ford

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