Young Brentford volunteer Awarded ‘Kicks Hero’ by the Premier League
Sharan Khroad, 17, has been named as the Premier League Kicks Hero for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. Sharan was awarded with a personalised Premier League Kicks Hero comic illustration, as part of the Premier League’s 10-year celebration of the programme. Sharan was presented with her award by Brentford FC’s captain John Egan n 13th February, in an event that saw the first team of Brentford FC attend a Brentford FC Community Sports Trust event.
Premier League Kicks is a youth outreach programme with the aim to create safer, stronger and more respectful communities through the development of young peoples’ potential, whilst giving young people access to facilities, coaching and mentoring.
In its first decade, Premier League Kicks has engaged more than 180,000 young people in weekly football, sport and personal development sessions held at local community venues across the UK. 68 Premier League, English Football League and National League clubs now run the programme.
Sharan Khroad, 17, began her journey with Premier League Kicks as a participant back in April 2014 at Cranford Community College. Sharan attended Kicks sessions on a regular basis which developed her confidence and motivated her to become more than just a participant.
Sharan became a volunteer and was involved in a wide range of community-based projects for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, where she demonstrated a great ability to work within a team. Sharan has spent more than 300 hours actively volunteering and has used her own experiences to act as a role model for other participants who have shown an interest in volunteering.
This year, Sharan became the Female Football Development Coach on the Premier League Girls and Female Football Development programmes, while still maintaining her role as a Kicks lead coach at Cranford Community College.
Sharan’s hard work and dedication has been recognised by the club and the Premier League. Her story has been immortalised in a comic strip illustration designed by Marvel and DC Comics artist John McCrea. The comic illustration shows Sharan discussing the prospect of volunteering to a young group of Brentford Kicks participants.
Brentford FC’s Kicks Hero, Sharan Khroad said, “It’s a great feeling to be chosen as the Kicks Hero for Brentford. Kicks is not only a good way to improve your football skills but also a great place to make friends and develop confidence. I really enjoy my role as a Development Coach and it’s all thanks to Kicks for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream.
“I still love coming back to Cranford Community College as a Kicks coach where it all started for me and inspiring the participants. I’m delighted with the comic illustration and this award has given me the motivation to keep working hard.”
Graham Goodden, Communities Engagement Manager at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, said,
“Sharan is a great role model for the young participants on the Premier League Kicks programme. After her success of last year’s Kicks volunteer programme, Sharan is now helping this year to promote and coordinate the new volunteers.
“Sharan has been a real asset to have at Kicks sessions and we’re delighted to be able to present her with this award in recognition of her commitment to the Kicks programme.”
Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore said, “Premier League Kicks delivers sessions for young people where they are needed most, connecting football clubs with their communities in a meaningful and sustainable way.”
“The Kicks Heroes campaign allows us to highlight some of those inspiring individual stories – like Sharan’s – and celebrate their achievements and thank the 68 Premier League, English Football League and National League clubs currently delivering the programme.
