Caribbean sports club chair wins Unsung Hero award

Des Smith (left) is presented the award at the club in Sheffield by cricketer Devon Malcolm

A man described as "the driving force" behind a Caribbean sports club has been named the BBC Sports Personality "Unsung Hero" for Yorkshire.

Des Smith is the chair of the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club, which offers children of all backgrounds an opportunity to come together and play.

In his nomination, he was described as committed to helping others.

Mr Smith, who is from Jamaica but now lives in Sheffield, said he was "surprised" to receive the award.

The avid cricketer said sports helped him integrate and learn about other cultures when he emigrated to the UK in 1966.

When the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club was founded in 1965, it was for children from the West Indies to offer them an opportunity to socialise and play.

It now offers a vast range of activities such as football, hockey and netball, and often engages and organises community events.

While the club in Ecclesfield welcomes children from all backgrounds, Mr Smith said it also tried to attract those of Caribbean heritage.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "Cricket is a Caribbean tradition but it's not being played a lot nowadays by many kids of Caribbean heritage, so we are trying to encourage as many of those young kids as possible to play."

One of the club's most famous members is former England cricketer Devon Malcolm, who presented Mr Smith with the award on Sunday.

The overall winner of the BBC Unsung Hero award will be announced on the BBC Sports Personality programme, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

The ceremony will take place on 19 December on BBC One and iPlayer.