COVERED 2024 Winter

COVERED 36 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK That Trent Bridge welcome, Farah adds, was the icing on the cake. “They were so overwhelmed by the experience and the hospitality – they were wowed by the food, saying that they didn’t realise that a cricket ground could offer this. “We host events based on what the communities celebrate culturally in order to celebrate them and to show them that we understand their culture, which in turn shows them that we welcome them as part of our family. “Combining a community with cricket in such a way really makes them want to be involved with us. Lots of people we’ve connected with have since started coming to matches, it’s really amazing to see.” Her efforts have also seen four com- munity hubs established across the city – in St. Ann’s, Clifton, Basford and Aspley, all of which are home to residents of vastly different cultures and backgrounds, with some living in deprivation. These hubs facilitate a greater involvement with, and perception of,Trent Bridge and cricket more generally. One particular success story of the hubs has stood out to Farah since launching the project. “Through working with us, the hub in Aspley created their own cricket talent section.Two players from Minver Crescent Sports Centre even played in Nottinghamshire’s Street Cricket team, which went on to win the national Chance to Shine Under-12s Street competition. “It’s amazing really – we previously had absolutely no foothold in Aspley, we had no prior connections. For them to contribute two players to a trophy- winning side is a really special story and we should celebrate them for that.” Through both her words and her actions, Farah exudes admirable passion for her work. As it happened, she could well have missed out on the role entirely when a health scare nearly threw her chances out of a hospital window. “The day before my job interview, I actually suffered from an asthma attack, which was really scary. “I was stuck in hospital and my biggest worry was not making my interview, but I managed to arrange a Zoom interview from my hospital bed – that was a very strange experience. “But being so determined to get the job really spoke to me as to how much it would have meant to me. My faith plays a really important part of my life, and I believe that God puts you in places that you might not expect to be in.” Her being involved in cricket alone is also something which Farah feels is evidence of the club being at the fore- front of progression. It is even a symbol of her childhood almost coming full circle, she adds. “I’ve grown up with cricket in my blood,” she says. “My best friend’s dad hosted the Pakistan national team all the time when they would tour England and naturally I was around them a lot. I served dinners to them, and even had conversations with Imran Khan. “But everywhere I go with work, people have been a bit shocked that I work in cricket, because everyone sees it as a male-oriented sport. After I’ve met people, many have gone on to then say, ‘well, if you can be there, then we can be there too!’. “That’s why I love what I do: because I feel like I am making a difference.Trent Bridge holds a special place in the hearts of many, even if some may not realise it yet.” “THAT’S WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO: BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I AM MAKING A DIFFERENCE. TRENT BRIDGE HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF MANY, EVEN IF SOME MAY NOT REALISE IT YET.” Farah Khan