FAROUK Hussain may have scooped a prestigious coaching award but he said the real heroes were the youngsters from his ‘cricketing family’.

The Audley Junior School teacher was named Street Coach of the Year at the Chance to Shine Awards held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in the presence of former England captain Graham Gooch and fast bowler Devon Malcolm.

Farouk, who delivers the free Street Cricket sessions across Blackburn, for ages seven to 24, on behalf of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation and Chance to Shine was widely acclaimed for his high levels of passion, commitment and inclusion while engaging youngsters in various forms of cricket activities - both indoors and outdoors.

But he said the award was down to the children, a number of whom accompanied him to the home of English cricket.

“They are the real heroes,” said Farouk. “They all get treated as if they are my children.

“We are one big happy cricket family who enjoy playing the game.

“They make the sessions, we as coaches simply make sure they run smoothly. I’m very fortunate to have such a deeply cricket passionate group who ensure I enjoy the sessions as much as they do.”

The judging panel were impressed by Farouk’s commitment to the sport, where he is a fantastic role model for the children who attend sessions he runs at Audley Junior School, Blackburn, every Saturday.

After receiving the award from Sport England Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth, Farouk added: “I’m very proud to have scooped the prestigious coach of the year award and very humbled because there are countless coaches nationally delivering fantastic Street sessions.

“Chance to Shine’s philosophy of providing opportunities for children and removing barriers, mirrors what I have always promoted as a coach and cricket facilitator over the last 20 years and being a Street coach allows me to put that into practice with disadvantaged children.

“Equally it gives me a great deal of self-satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment in putting smiles on their faces. It’s a win - win situation!”

Chance to Shine has been working since 2005 to reverse the decline of cricket in state schools. By providing coaching in schools and extra-curricular opportunities, the charity has reached more than four million young people, 46 per cent of who are girls, in over 14,000 states schools across the country.

The Chance to Shine Annual Awards, supported by NatWest, celebrates clubs, individuals and schools who help to spread the power of cricket and make the charity such a success.

England legend Gooch, said: “I’d like to congratulate Farouk for his commitment to cricket and it was inspiring to hear about his cricketing journey.

“Lord’s has been home to some of the great cricketing stories over the years but this event is right up there.”