A FATHER from Newport has picked up a hatful of awards for the work that he does with youngsters in the community.

Robert Muza, 42, moved to Newport from Zimbabwe in 2002 and started the Newport Multicultural Futsal group about six years ago.

The project is city-wide and attracts an average of 50 people from various migrant communities aged between 16 and 25 every Tuesday night at Newport Leisure Centre.

Mr Muza said: "The objectives of the project are to promote community cohesion and integration in Newport using sport to promote health and well being of young people and to discourage antisocial behaviour."

Futsal is five-a-side football played with a smaller, heavier ball than its grass counterpart.

Having picked up a number of awards, the latest to add to his collection is Community Volunteer of the Year 2012 from the Positive Futures Sports Forum and Community Champion 2012 from Charter Housing.

Father of two, Mr Muza, is currently in his final year studying a BA in Youth and Community Work and Sport.

The University of Wales, Newport, has supported him and this year he also received an enhancement bursary towards his expenses, which allowed him to travel to the London and Paralympic Games to volunteer.

Newport Multicultural Futsal is supported by four volunteers, which include local students.

The main funders of the project are Streetgames Charity, Newport City Homes, South East Wales Racial Equlity Council, Charter Housing, Melin Homes and Newport County Council.

The groups other successful activities include the Newport Refuge week Family Fun Day and Football tournament, which attracts 250 players and 500 families, and the Futsal tournament.