Sheffield university coach hailed as 'pioneer' wins BBC's Unsung Hero Award for Yorkshire

A sports coach from Sheffield Hallam University has been hailed as a ‘pioneer’ after winning the BBC’s Unsung Hero Award.
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Dave Hembrough, founder and head coach of Hallam Barbell Weightlifting Club received the award for the Yorkshire region after a judging panel of key sporting figures named him as a ‘pioneer’ in his spot.

He was pronounced the area’s winner live on BBC Look North last night, (Thursday, December 3) for his work in the local community to improve diversity and participation in weightlifting and resistance training.

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The weightlifting coach works with women of all ages and ability to improve their mental and physical wellbeing, alongside children from deprived areas, BAME groups and people with disabilities who often feel alienated from extra-curricular sport.

Sheffield Hallam coach Dave Hembrough has won the BBC's Yorkshire Unsung Hero Award.Sheffield Hallam coach Dave Hembrough has won the BBC's Yorkshire Unsung Hero Award.
Sheffield Hallam coach Dave Hembrough has won the BBC's Yorkshire Unsung Hero Award.

Dave created a programme to combine resistance training with mindfulness, called ‘MindfullySTRONG’ which has proved a hit with participants who are new to physical activity and daunted by the prospect of training in a conventional gym.

Former Great Britain para-cyclist, BBC Look North reporter and panel judge Sally Hurst said: “Dave doesn’t just sit and wait for people to come and join in – he actively encourages them to have a go. And the benefits are clear – not just for physical health but confidence and self-esteem too.

“Many of the people who nominated Dave spoke about his generosity in mentoring them outside of sport during Covid and using sport as a vehicle to push for positive change in their lives more broadly.

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"He is volunteering his own expertise and enthusiasm to make a real difference to people’s lives in a truly inclusive way.”

During lockdown the weightlifting coach delivered strength and conditioning equipment to people’s homes so that they could continue to exercise while they were unable to visit gyms.

He also used his social media presence to set up his Covid Coach Mentoring Programme in which he provided support and guidance to trainee strength and conditioning coaches across the UK.

One of Dave’s many nominations for the BBC Unsung Hero Award, came from Professor Simon Shibli, head of the University’s Sport Industry Research Centre.

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He added: “I am delighted that Dave Hembrough has won the Unsung Hero Award for the Yorkshire region, it is no less than he richly deserves.

“I attended his MindfullySTRONG programme and I can vouch personally for the positive impact that he makes to people’s lives.

"As a University, we aspire to be the world’s leading applied university and Dave is an excellent ambassador for us on this mission.”

Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University Professor Sir Chris Husbands added: “I am delighted that Dave has won this award.

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"He is a pioneer in his sport and has demonstrated the power of community engagement to transform lives.

“His commitment to encouraging diverse groups of people to take-up weightlifting has had a significant impact, helping people both in our local community and across the UK to make positive changes to their lives.

“He has made a tremendous contribution and richly deserves this recognition.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.