Nominate a BBC Sports Unsung Hero

Robert Croft with his 'unsung hero' cricket coach Stuart Owen

Welsh cricket hero Robert Croft has joined a campaign to urge everyone to nominate their BBC Sports Unsung Hero 2009 in Wales.

The former England spin-bowler and Glamorgan Captain returned to Pontarddulais Cricket Club in Swansea, where he started his cricketing career, along with his former cricket coach Stuart Owen, to launch the award in Wales.

Robert knows how important these unsung heroes are to keeping local sport alive.

When I think of the enormity of the personal sacrifice he made to help youngsters in the game...he is a true hero Robert Croft

He credits Mr Owen with helping start his phenomenal cricketing career when he was just nine-years-old.

Robert says: "When I was asked who I would consider to be the unsung hero in my life I immediately thought of Stuart Owen.

"He is a gentleman I first met 30 years ago when I went to my first cricket practise at Swansea Cricket Club.

"Little did I appreciate at that age how great a workload he had with cricket and at the same time looking after his family and trying to progress in his career.

"His cricket involvement meant that he was committed every evening with one team or another and also every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

"He was a firm but fair coach, showed no favouritism, demanded that you played to your full potential at all times, expected you to play hard but within the spirit of the game and above all enjoy taking part.

"He had the ability to encourage you to set yourself goals. If you were fortunate to reach them he would ensure that you remained grounded.

"When I think of the enormity of the personal sacrifice he made to help youngsters in the game - not for monetary reward but because he believed so much in what he was doing - he is a true hero and Tony Cottey, David Hemp and myself owe him a great debt of gratitude."

The closing date for nominations is Friday, October 30. If you know someone in your area who goes the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport and deserves recognition, BBC Cymru Wales wants to hear from you.

You can nominate anyone who, on a voluntary basis, works behind-the-scenes so that sport can be played and enjoyed throughout the UK.

Nominations for the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award can be made at

bbc.co.uk/wales

Once the nomination process has been completed, a shortlist of nominees in each area is chosen by a panel made up of BBC regional sports staff, local sporting figures and other independent community figures, with a winner being picked by that judging panel.

Last year's overall winner for Wales was Cliff Williams, chairman and all-rounder at Pontyclun RFC.

Cliff, who even marks the pitch and cleans the dressing rooms at his club, also founded the Vale of Glamorgan Football League in the 1970s.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2009, held for the first time at the Sheffield Arena, will be broadcast live on BBC One at 7pm on Sunday 13 December.