Bowling and karate experts nominated for honour

4:00pm Tuesday 29th July 2008

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SPORTING champions who have tirelessly helped youngsters to achieve ambitions outside school are poised to challenge strongly for a Community Pride award.

Yorkshire County bowling coach Ian Farrar, of Melton Avenue, Clifton, York has been nominated under the Sporting Hero category of The Press’s Community Pride Awards, a scheme in its sixth year, run in conjunction with the City Of York Council.

Since 2001, Ian has been the voluntary secretary of the York Open Bowls Tournament, as well as captaining Clifton Hospital Bowling Club.

Each week, Ian also finds the time to coach youngsters with an interest in the sport.

Ian has been nominated by friend and fellow bowling player Vic Thompson, who says Ian gives many hours of hard work to diligently help others with an interest in the sport.

He said: “As a bowler I have known Ian for many years playing flat green bowling. He has always been so helpful and someone you can always rely on.

“Over the years he has coached a lot of very young players, some as young as seven years old, many who through his dedication and persistence have reached a very high level in the sport and some even represent Yorkshire.

“Last year, his team gained promotion from division two of The York Amateur Bowling Association to division one, some achievement for any team let alone a team with so many young players and some still at school. His work for this sport is simply endless.”

Meanwhile, Liam O’ Grady has also been nominated under the Sporting Hero category for his dedication to karate.

Liam has been practising karate for 18 years and has represented his country worldwide in the England squad for seven years, winning national and international medals.

The 27-year-old has been put forward by wife, Lisa, who says despite his personal success, Liam has found time to make karate accessible to all members of the community.

He has set up after-school clubs for children and, due to Liam’s enthusiasm, dedication and perseverance, his students are progressing to competition standard. “Liam’s attitude to sport is commendable and he is an active ambassador for karate,” said Lisa. “He has made an outstanding contribution to karate and sport in general in both a playing and non-playing capacity.” A panel of judges is currently whittling down the nominations ahead of a ceremony to be held at York Racecourse in October this year.