THE man who has battled to keep Brierley Hill Swimming Club above water has been shortlisted for an unsung sporting hero award.

Phil Steven, treasurer of the long-running group, is one of three borough sporting champions nominated for the accolade in this year’s Black Country Sports and Physical Activity Awards.

Brierley Hill boxing coach Bob Dillon is also a contender for the award, and retired Dudley Olympian Clova Court is also in the running.

The trio will find out who has won at a ceremony at The Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on Friday October 8.

Phil from Brierley Hill has been nominated for helping to teach thousands of borough youngsters to swim and for keeping the club afloat after Brierley Hill Leisure Centre and Coseley baths closed.

He said: “It’s great, I’m proud somebody thinks I’ve done something. We’ve done really well to keep going.”

The club, which Phil has been involved with for 22 years, now runs its learn to swim sessions for kids at Dudley Leisure Centre on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Phil, aged 57, who fronted the club's Save Our Swimming campaign when the council axed Brierley Hill Leisure Centre, added: “You can justify doing it every session. It’s good healthy fun and it’s essential really.”

Bob Dillon from the Lions Boxing Club, who has coached boxing greats including Amir Khan, has been shortlisted for encouraging underpriviliged kids to fight for a better future.

While former heptathlete Clova Court has made it to the final for her coaching work with Q3 Academy Great Barr. As well as the unsung hero award, she has also been shortlisted for the volunteeer of the year accolade.

A host of other borough sportsmen and women have also made the finals of the annual awards, which celebrate the diversity and excellence of sport in the Black Country.

They include: Young volunteer of the year - Beth Poole, Sports & Physical Activity Dudley; Rajvinder Singh from Oldbury.

Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Daniel Jones, Sports & Physical Activity Dudley.

Young Sportsperson of the year - Dudley sprinter Ann Ika Oqua; Stourbridge fencer Amy Radford.

Sports Person of the year - David Beardsmore, Sports & Physical Activity Dudley; Martin Williams from Dudley; Jodie Stimpson from Oldbury.

New Innovation Award - IMPULSE Dudley; Sandwell Leisure Trust.

Change4life Award - Dudley Healthy Towns Project; 5 x 30 Time to Get Active - Dudley.

Community Initiative of the year - St Thomas Community Games Association - Dudley; Sandwell Leisure Trust.

Junior Team of the year - Sandwell Girls Athletic Team.