Her hard work and talent have now caught the eye of Aston Villa U18’s.

We couldn’t be prouder of Anayah. Starting out here in her local area, she has become (and will continue to be) a positive role model for other young girls who aspire to play football.

From a young age, before she even turned 10, she began nurturing her football dreams by playing at home with her brothers. These early kickabouts sparked her passion for the sport and set her on the path to pursuing football more seriously.

What began as a small initiative led by a few passionate volunteers and a handful of local children has grown into one of Birmingham’s most respected community football clubs. Now supporting over 250 young people aged 5 to 18, Alum Rock FC offers more than just football training — it provides mentoring, educational workshops, and a safe, supportive space for young people to thrive.

Coach and club welfare officer Mohammed Ziarab Yasin reflected:

“We started with just a few kids and a lot of hope. Now we hear things like ‘this club kept me focused’ or ‘this is where I found confidence’. That’s what makes it all worth it. We’re proud of what we’ve built — but we’re not stopping here. There’s still so much more we want to do for the next generation.”

Though the club in its current form began 10 years ago, its roots run deeper — many of the current coaches grew up playing football together in Alum Rock, an area that has long faced economic and social challenges. Over the years, the club has become a vital part of the community, offering not just football, but also workshops on important issues like knife crime, online safety, and mental and physical health.

Richard Reeve, Headteacher at Rockwood Academy, praised the club’s role in supporting local young people:

“Alum Rock Football Academy is a vital part of life for many of our students. It gives them a positive outlet to grow, develop teamwork skills, and stay connected. The coaches understand the challenges our young people face — and meet those needs with care, consistency, and belief.”

Cllr Mariam Khan, Councillor for Alum Rock and Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at Birmingham City Council, also shared her reflections:

“Alum Rock Football Academy is far more than a football club — it’s a cornerstone of our community. As a former coach and local councillor, I’ve seen firsthand how it builds confidence, friendship, and belonging. The commitment of the coaches and volunteers over the last 10 years has been nothing short of incredible. I’ll always treasure those Saturday mornings with the Tiny Tots — some of my happiest memories.”

In addition to supporting young players, the club has raised over £40,000 for charity through community matches and events, and has recently expanded its offering to include activities for younger children and fitness sessions for women.

Anayah with the team from Alum Rock Football Academy 

This highly anticipated event will honour the dedication, excellence, and values that make Muslim athletes true role models, both inside and outside the ring. With a lineup of esteemed guests, industry professionals, and elite boxers, the Muslim Boxing Awards 2025 promises to be a landmark occasion for the boxing community.

The awards are the brainchild of Adil Hussain, the founder of Legal Blows. A highly respected solicitor registered in England & Wales, Adil brings over 20 years of experience from top-tier international law firms and a leading investment bank. Currently serving as a senior equity partner at one of the world’s largest law firms, Adil has built an impressive network within the boxing world, spanning from grassroots initiatives to elite-level professionals.

His passion for the sport has led to close collaborations with renowned figures, including former two-time world champion Amir Khan, showcasing his ability to work with top-tier talent. Adil is also a dedicated sponsor of both professional and amateur boxers, reinforcing his commitment to nurturing and supporting the next generation of champions.

Speaking about Legal Blows, Adil Hussain stated,

“Legal Blows was created to educate and guide boxers on legal and business matters, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge they need to secure better opportunities. Many athletes are unaware that they have the ability to negotiate contracts to obtain more favourable terms. My goal is to empower them with the tools to protect their interests and maximise their careers.”

The LB Muslim Boxing Awards 2025 will shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Muslim athletes in boxing, recognising their skill, resilience, and unwavering dedication. With categories celebrating achievements across various levels of the sport, the event will be a testament to the strength and unity within the boxing community.

BBC Radio Leeds is taking on the challenge! The station is seeing if a group of Bradford City fans, who are known as the Bantams, can be taught to sing opera, as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. 

‘Bantam of the Opera’ will follow their journey as they go from singing on the terraces to wowing audiences with performances as a choir throughout the year, in the lead up to a big finale at the end of the year.

The world-renowned BBC Singers and Orchestra will support the Bantam’s choir during their development. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, opera singer Lesley Garrett, and sports commentator and TV presenter Chris Kamara, have all also pledged their support to the campaign.

Away from the City of Culture celebrations, this is a huge year for the football club as it marks 40 years since the Valley Parade stadium fire, which claimed the lives of 56 supporters.

Bradford City legend Chris Kamara is launching the call-out for singers to join the Bantam of the Opera campaign on January 20^th.

Chris, who was both player and manager at the club, had pledged he will perform with the Bantam singers at University of Bradford Stadium this year. Chris has used singing to help him with his apraxia of speech, wellbeing and mental health.

He says: “This is an incredibly important year for Bradford, both the city and the football club. May 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire which claimed the lives of 56 football fans. Many people will have their own memories of that horrific day and will want to pay their respects, as will I. 

“Bradford is UK City of Culture 2025 & as part of this exciting year BBC Radio Leeds’ Bantam of the Opera campaign encourages everyone to get singing. The power of music can be enormous, singing is a great way to bring people together, whilst being so positive for mental health. Singing has always been a part of my life, even when times have been tough. 

“During the onset of my well documented recent illness, Apraxia of Speech, although I suffered in silence for a time, I never stopped singing – in the shower, in the car, out walking. Music really can boost your mental health and is a gift which we all have, whether you’re tone-deaf or a pop-star. Anyone can blast out a tune, and that’s what makes this campaign so good. I’d love Bradford City fans to give it a go and sign-up to take part in the BBC’s Bantam of the Opera.”

English soprano singer Lesley Garrett, CBE, will also be involved in key moments throughout the year. 

She says: “Wherever there is football, there is singing. The two go together like fish and chips, like Yorkshire pudding and gravy!

“Community singing is the way we bind together to express powerful shared passions and opera is the most passionate form of singing there is. 

“I am so excited to see and hear what the Bantams can achieve musically, but even more excited to see the joyous and uplifting effect that music-making will have on their lives.”

Katrina Bunker, BBC Head of Yorkshire, said: “Can you teach a bunch of passionate football fans to sing like a professional choir?  We like a challenge at the BBC! It’s great that as part of the exciting year of culture in Bradford we’ll be following football fans from chanting on the terraces to learning to sing formally in a choir. 

“It will be fascinating to follow the journey of these fans as they audition, train, rehearse and perform.  A great example of how culture is about everyone, especially the people who make places unique. This will be such a fun and entertaining project and I can’t wait to see it come to life across TV, radio and online.”

Bradford City Football Club have agreed to support the call out for singers with two community outreach events at University of Bradford Stadium in January. The first will be their home game against Walsall on 25 January. The second on Tuesday 28 January when Bradford takes on Morecambe. 

Bantam of the Opera will be available on BBC Sounds from April, so listeners can follow the story of the Bantam singers as they develop their singing skills.

To apply to be involved, go to bbc.co.uk/cityofculture

He was straight through to the semi-finals, due to dropouts after the bout list was made public.

During the Semi-finals Hussain set the tone from the bell, punching in combinations with straight accurate shots.

He was strong during all 3 rounds, getting in close and targeting up and down the body, eager to win on Irish ground.

He convincingly won all three rounds on the judges’ scorecards.

The finals were immense, as Hussain was giving a year in age, height and experience and was against a homeland favoured boy.

This didn’t matter to the Silent Assassin, as he came forward from the bell, pushing his year older Irish boy opponent onto his back foot, clearly winning the first round.

The second round was close, as the Irish boy was timing his punches to try catch Hussain on the way in, which meant the round could have gone either way.  Hussain during the third round stepped up a gear, listening to his Pound 4 Pound coaches Omar Shaheen and Shazad Hussain (DAD). Hussain was cutting off the ring and consistently landing two phase attacks to convincingly seal the gold.

Jacob is grateful for all the support he receives and especially grateful to his sponsor Stuart Wallace who owns Temperature Solutions.  Jacob welcomes more sponsorship, if interested you can contact his family via his Instagram page The Hussain Brothers.

He would also like to thank his Pound 4 Pound coaches for believing in him and celebrating his 3rd Boxcup win within 3 months.

The low-price evening Symphonic Sessions concert at the popular nighttime destination will celebrate a summer of major sporting events, including the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the Tour de France, Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix, and the 2024 UEFA Euros currently underway in Germany.

16 musicians from the CBSO, along with operatic tenor Luke Swatman (as featured in BBC’s The Voice), will perform instantly recognisable repertoire in the relaxed surroundings of the 10,000-sq ft former industrial printworks site in the historic manufacturing district of Hockley.

The programme is set to feature the UEFA Champions League anthem (adapted from Handel’s Zadok the Priest), the Olympic Fanfare by John Williams, Puccini’s Nessun Dorma which dominated the 1990 World Cup following Pavarotti’s captivating performance of the aria, and the William Tell Overture by Rossini.

Fans of contemporary music will also recognise the main title song from 1963 Steve McQueen’s classic film The Great Escape, excerpts of Vangelis’ 1981 Chariots of Fire score, as well as renditions of the unofficial England football anthem Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, and Gerry and the Pacemakers’ tearjerker You’ll Never Walk Alone – adopted by  Liverpool FC fans worldwide.

Among the players who make up the CBSO ensemble are fans of motorcycle racing; Bath, England and Wales rugby team followers; cricket and golfing enthusiasts; and a lifelong supporter of Brentford FC.

Amy Thomas, viola player with the CBSO, cricket fan and from an Everton-supporting family, said: “Symphonic Sessions at Hockley are events that CBSO players look forward to throughout the year. 

“The mixture of an informal and intimate setting whilst performing a wide variety of music creates a unique experience and a special connection between the players and audience. 

“The atmosphere is electric, the space is beautiful, and the food is great too.”

Hockley Social Club is marking its fourth year with a substantial line-up of academics, artistic organisations, comedians, DJs, musicians, and speakers.

The 2024 programme at the venue has been developed to enable fans of diverse cultural experiences to access world-class arts and music at affordable prices to help address the current cost of living crisis.

This year also marks the fourth Symphonic Sessions annual concert, underlining an ongoing and groundbreaking partnership between the CBSO and Hockley Social Club which sees players from one of Europe’s best-loved orchestral institutions step into a leading NTE hub to perform to new audiences.

Jack Brabant, Director of Hockley Social Club, said: “The popularity of Symphonic Sessions with audience members, along with our partnership with the CBSO continues to go from strength to strength – proving there is absolutely an appetite for world-class arts and culture presented in different formats and an accessible location.

“By maintaining affordable ticket prices for these events, we hope to attract music fans from all walks of life and backgrounds – and we know this particular concert appeals to many sports fans across the region.

“It is a delight to be working with colleagues from one of the city’s most valued cultural institutions; we look forward to celebrating the summer of sport through this brilliant programme of some of the best-known pieces of sporting music ever.”

Symphonic Sessions takes place at Hockley Social Club on Thursday 11 July 2024. Doors open from 6 pm and the performance starts at 8 pm.

The first fixture will see Birmingham Phoenix up against Southampton’s Southern Brave on Saturday 3 August, with the women’s game getting underway at 11am and the men’s team taking to the pitch from 2.30pm. 

Returning for the fourth year running, local hero Moeen Ali will be taking on the captaincy of the Birmingham Phoenix’s men’s team, who will be joined by Naseem Shah – Pakistan’s fast bowling superstar. Heading up the women’s team for 2024, is the international Australian all-rounder and world champion, Ellyse Perry.

Following the first game, Birmingham Phoenix will then play Northern Superchargers (6 August), Trent Rockets (12 August), and finally Manchester Originals (15 August) in what looks set to be an unmissable and action-packed tournament. Each ticket gives fans access to both the men’s and women’s matches on each day, with more than 11,000 tickets already sold for the first game.

The Hundred offers the ideal day out for sports-loving families, with fantastic value tickets available from just £5 for under 16s, and adult tickets starting from £17. There’s also dedicated family seating at Edgbaston stadium, offering a welcoming and fun-filled environment where families can enjoy watching the cricketing action together.

Further adding to Edgbaston’s electrifying atmosphere, Birmingham Phoenix’s resident DJ, 2NV, will also return to the stadium to provide non-stop entertainment, and sports presenter Max Whittle will host each match day. Furthermore, thanks to The Hundred’s partnership with BBC Music Introducing, there’s live music at every fixture, with the acts set to be announced soon.

Birmingham Phoenix captain, Moeen Ali, commented: “The Hundred is always a highlight of the summer and I’m thrilled to be leading Birmingham Phoenix again this summer. The Edgbaston crowd is always behind us, and its iconic atmosphere really adds something special to the competition. With live music, a DJ and action-packed cricket, everyone’s set to have a brilliant time with us this year at Edgbaston. We can’t wait to see you there!”

Alongside the excitement of the four double-header matches, Birmingham Phoenix fans also have the chance to become part of The Hundred Club. Members can access a wide range of exclusive perks, including receiving all-new merchandise, watching the cricket action from the best seats in the stadium, enjoying a whole host of interactive games, as well as the chance to meet cricket icons and Birmingham Phoenix players.

Launched in 2021, The Hundred is cricket’s newest innovation, bringing together high-octane cricket with spectacular entertainment. The competition offers visitors a memorable, fun-filled day out with fantastic sport, entertainment, and show-stopping moments to enjoy with family and friends.

For more information and to book tickets to catch Birmingham Phoenix in action this summer, please visit www.thehundred.com. 

We started our season getting the lads ready for the upcoming league we are competing in, as a community club who are not in it for the money, we trained at Summerfield park on Dudley road. In October we played our first game in Dudley and lost 12-0 which then made me realise the level of football being played now in grassroots u7s I was amazed by how other teams understood the game and each other so easily. I could not give up on these lads not yet anyways! So we carried on like our name stats Warriors! Played the following week got beat again 9-0, again team we played was established and had a good understanding of the game. Taking these losses was hard for me as a coach at first as our games wasn’t even competitive, then on the other hand as a parent also I could not give my son the one to one love and encouragement to my son as a coach has to look after the whole team so where as some players could come of the pitch crying I’d have to stop coaching the on field players to try and tell my own son everything is okay and scores do not matter it’s all about progression. I found this really challenging at the start of the season not knowing how to balance being a Dad and a manager an also taking such big losses in game just felt wasn’t working for me at all, I went home spoke to my wife she said, ” its been two games and you are already thinking of giving up!”

Next week came we trained, I watched loads of videos online about different drills and how to be used effectively so we worked and worked on team play, what players can and cannot do yet, where do players feel most combatable, we did everything over the next few weeks and months to ensure we bridge that gap and start playing more competitive. In December we played an away game, and we did it we did not win but we got a 4-4 draw, both parents players and myself was in so much delight you would of thought we won the Premier League but we knew inside how hard we worked during this period and credit to the parents for the continuing support boosted our players. From then we had our Christmas break two weeks no football. In January we are back at it confidence is sky high! The lads all continued to train but played no competitive football during the festive period. We lost 5-0 first game back which was abit of a shock as it seemed my team had forgot everything we have learnt. Back to the training pitch it is, now lets look at some other things positioning, set pieces being played at a fast pace, playing 2 at the back and 2 at the front formation to pressure other team on the ball and make space for each other. Anyways weeks went past, and we are losing 2-1, 4-2 so we are now scoring goals on a weekly basis which is amazing but we still cant grasp a win! We entered into March the weather got abit warmer something changed in my boys I don’t know if it’s the sun or what, but we didn’t lose a game drawing two and winning two. End of season cup arrives we have been drawn with two teams that we have recently played in the League and lost to, so confidence was not really high. We played the semifinal and won 6-2 away from home against a well established team, you should of seen the support from family and friends from both teams amazing! So we got ourselves into a final Bimingham cup! Up against Maypole FC who beat us 4-1 in the league about a month before this so in all honesty my hopes was not high but the belief in my players they knew they was going to win this! Game kicked off and from the moment of the first whislte up until full time we was all over them! Guess what we won! 3-1 in the final!!! The kids were amazing!! Proudest moment of my life standing on the pitch with my son the champion and also my Dad who is the real reason that I managed this team as my dad was the biggest influence in my life also coached all my teams as a kid, and he has helped me so much being the perfect father for my own child so to be there with my dad and son winning a cup is a day I will never forget.