Founder of ‘Strong Girl Squad’ Honored as BBC Unsung Hero

Kristen Ingraham-Morgan, the founder of Strong Girl Squad in Lincoln, has received a BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero award. The coach, who leads a weightlifting group for girls, was designated the regional recipient for East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Ms. Ingraham-Morgan stated that her initiative aims to demonstrate to teenage girls that the gym “can be a safe, fun and encouraging place.” The nomination for Ms. Ingraham-Morgan was submitted by 17-year-old Zeph, who commenced participation in the sessions in 2021. Zeph commented, “Kristen just gives everything to us and this entire environment helps uplift us.” Ms. Ingraham-Morgan observed “miraculous” transformations among the girls involved in the project. She further noted, “This environment gives them an opportunity to find their strength.” Strong Girl Squad was established in April 2022. Since its inception, over 350 girls have participated in the sessions, with 80% of these individuals either receiving free school meals, being in care, or identified as vulnerable. Additionally, Ms. Ingraham-Morgan conducts weightlifting workshops for girls at 10 educational institutions throughout Lincolnshire. The Strong Girl Squad now has three additional affiliated clubs located in Bury St Edmunds, Blackpool, and Portsmouth. Ms. Ingraham-Morgan has received an invitation to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, scheduled for 17 December. She is among multiple Unsung Heroes from various regions nationwide who are eligible to be declared the overall winner during the live broadcast of the program. Ms. Ingraham-Morgan expressed, “I love these girls so much – I am so proud of them.” She continued, “If accepting this award, and if going to Salford and getting my hair and make-up done, tells this story – their stories – to more people, I will have to get my good shoes out of the vault.” She concluded, “I could not love them any harder if they were mine.” The ceremony is slated for broadcast on BBC One and will be accessible for viewing on iPlayer. LN CrossFit in Lincoln, which serves as the base for Strong Girl Squad, plans to live-stream the event and extend invitations to its members and individuals associated with the project.