Jim and Sue Houghton from Sport in Desford has been shortlisted for the BBC Sport Unsung Hero Award for the East Midlands.
Jim and Sue are a husband and wife team who have devoted the last 25 years to developing community sports facilities in Leicestershire. They were the driving force behind creating Sport in Desford, an umbrella organisation that has overseen the renovation of an old disused sports ground into new sporting facilities.
This included renovating tennis courts, squash courts, a bowling green and dance studio. Desford Tennis Club was formed on the courts and over the last five years have developed into one of the most vibrant clubs in Leicestershire with a thriving junior development programme. The club added a further tennis court this year following a grant from the Sport England Inspired Facilities fund.
Jim and Sue are one of three finalists for the award from the East Midlands and the winner will go forward for the national award which will be presented at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012 in London on 16 December.
Everyone in Leicestershire Tennis will be keeping their fingers crossed that Jim and Sue get the recognition they deserve for their tireless work developing sporting opportunities for young people in Leicestershire.