Binni’s Bladez has received the Outstanding Community Project Award, presented during the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner’s Outstanding Citizens Awards 2025.
Binni’s Bladez received the Outstanding Community Project award, presented during the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s Outstanding Citizens Awards 2025. The event took place on Monday 6th October at Brasshouse Community Centre in Smethwick. The awards were presented to individuals and groups who had made a difference to the region.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster presented the awards alongside the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Wasim Ali and West Midlands Victims’ Advocate Natalie Queiroz MBE. Beatsabar, a Wolverhampton-based music project, also performed during the event.
Binni’s Bladez was founded in 2017 by Robina “Binni” Begum, as part of Muslim Girls Fence (MGF). MGF is a project collaboration between BF and Maslaha, which aims to facilitate spaces at a grassroots level for Muslim girls and women to challenge assumptions and narratives relating to their gender, racial, religious and other identities through both physical and creative methods. Click here to learn more about MGF.
Binni’s Bladez breaks down the barriers to participation in sport, particularly among Muslim women. The club provides a safe space for individuals to support them in accessing fencing and develop their leadership skills. It welcomes women of all ages, backgrounds and religions.
Since its establishment, Binni’s Bladez has gone from strength to strength. In 2023, they were featured in This Girl Can – Sport England’s flagship campaign helping to get women active – as part of MGF. Binni also won BF Community Coach of the Year for the year 2022-23. More recently, in July this year, coaches at the club were awarded their Core Coach certificates.
Binni said:
“Winning the Outstanding Project of the Year award from the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner is truly an honour.
“There are so many people to thank, but one National Governing Body stands out – British Fencing. Not only did they invest in our community, but they saw beyond “the veil” by believing in the power of change. They opened doors for women who simply wanted to feel that they belong, that their voices matter, and that they are seen. This support has also been amplified from the team at Ladywood Leisure Centre, who have made Binni’s Bladez really feel at home.
“This award isn’t just ours – it belongs to our students, it belongs to British Fencing, and all who stand for uniting communities. From everyone at Binni’s Bladez, we would like to sincerely thank British Fencing for creating something truly extraordinary.”
Virginia Bailey, BF Participation Director, added:
“Binni and the wonderful ladies who are part of Binni’s Bladez thoroughly deserve this award. Binni works tirelessly to provide a welcoming and safe space for the women of Birmingham, having built solid foundations with the brilliant team at Ladywood Leisure Centre, the home of Binni’s Bladez. This really is a great example of what can be achieved when people and organisations work together for the needs of the community.”
Click here to read the full article by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
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