Active Together are honoured to embrace the stories of organisations and individuals who represent our Black communities across the local area. Our second article in our series, is a powerful and inspiring piece written by Coach Kiran:

"Why do I do what I do? Why do I engage and delivery the sessions I do? – What if I'm that rain drop in an ocean that changes the direction of travel from a maybe to a definite and that young person is able strives for success.

Everybody needs somebody and with great power comes great responsibility. I have worked hard for me, professionally and personally and the greatest blessing of working with children and young people is being able to give them a space to shine.

I believe it is important to support, guide, encourage and love those who need understanding. – And for those who tell me they don't, that's okay but you can never have too much love!!

My impact on the community is to open the door to all, to provide them with a space and place of love, to accept them for who they are, what they want and what they believe.

Sport has been the driving force behind what I do. It has given me the tools I've need to succeed. From discipline to teamwork, from commitment to resilience. Sport has kept me grounded and allowed me to bring out the inner me – SAFELY!!

I take pride and I am eternally grateful in being a strong, loving and educated black woman. I am able to engage with, guide, love and support everyone !! – because everyone connects with a part of me as I connect with them, and any areas that we 'miss align' is simply an area of growth, because everything grows with love!!

Growing up in Leicester, being exposed to many different cultures, begin able to travel freely around the country because nowhere is really 'too far' from us, being able to engage in ALL sports because Leicester has an outlet for everything is an underrated blessing!!

My strength and determination have all been shaped through sport, through my culture and through love!!

I am a strong, powerful, educated and loving black women and I take pride in who I am, what I believe in and who I am able to pour into.

I am Kiran Marita."