Desford Tennis Club's Sue and Jim Houghton have won the East Midlands Unsung Hero Award for helping to transform a derelict sports ground into a popular community facility.
The husband and wife team have devoted 25 years to establishing the facility in Leicestershire. Sport in Desford has tennis and squash courts, a football pitch, bowling green and dance studio.
The tennis club has grown rapidly over the last five years into one of the most vibrant clubs in Leicestershire. The tennis club benefited from a Sport England Inspired Facilities grant earlier this year and added a third court that has helped them to introduce mpore people tpo the sport.
'What a finish to an Olympic year' said Mrs Houghton. "It's just wonderful for the community, and it's a real community sports club." Mr Houghton said "It's all the other people who actually make it work. That's what we get back out of it. It's to see other people make it work".
The Houghtons will now go forward for the national award which will be presented at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012 in London on 16 December.