WHEN Karen Edwards first received the call telling her she had been shortlisted for a Sportswomen of the Year Award, she admits she was a little bemused.

It was only when it was explained to the chief executive of Bolton Lads and Girls Club that she had been put forward in the community category of the awards that it became clear.

Mrs Edwards, who modestly says the shortlist is more about the club than her, said: “It is always nice for the club to be recognised for what it does, and this was a huge surprise. Someone had been to the club and put pen to paper.”

She has been nominated for the 2013 Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Award, the winner of which is announced next month, and which recognises the way sport is helping to transform young people’s lives, from increasing their self-esteem and health to inspiring them to carry on their education and develop a career.

One of the first things Mrs Edwards did was set up a rounders team, building on the sporting opportunities the club already offered, when she started as a volunteer in the early 1990s.

At school she played hockey and netball and knows what a powerful tool it can be in developing young people.

Each week, the club helps deliver a wide variety of programmes to nearly 3,000 young people, and Mrs Edwards said: “Sport gives young people a sense of achievement, a belonging and the camaraderie.

“There is the discipline, the boundaries — and through sport they are developing transferable lifeskills in a healthy environment.”

Today the club offers outdoor opportunities, such as mountain biking, kayaking and other sports and works with sports clubs in Bolton to offer young people a range of opportunities.

Mrs Edwards, who also set up the mentoring project, said: “If we win the award it will be a recognition of the staff, volunteers, the young people, their parents and carers.

“Nationally it would put Bolton on the map.”