Sporting Achievement

Fred Gummerson, 80, has been coaching at the Hard and Fast Boxing Club at Ebenezer Chapel, Cudworth, for over 25 years, and was the proud winner of last year’s Sporting Achievement award.

He’s now hoping that Nicola Adams, Great Britain’s first female Olympic boxing champion, will come and open this year’s Cudworth Gala. Nicola joined the Hard and Fast gym back in 2008.

Fred, of Brierley Road in Grimethorpe, said: “We’re hoping she will come and open our summer gala if she has time. The lads sparred with her and said she was something special. She has a lovely family and she’s such a smiler too.”

Fred established Grimethorpe’s first amateur boxing club 42 years ago. A former miner, he said: “Winning the award made a difference – for one thing, we’re pretty full in the gym. But I must say the kids had a little laugh at me when they saw my photo in the paper.”

He was nominated for the award by his granddaughter’s husband Lee Tattershall.

Fred said it was boxing that had kept him in shape over the years but added: “I also have someone who looks after me very well – my wife Barbara.”

We are looking for Barnsley’s outstanding sports personalities. The winner could be a household name who put Barnsley on the sporting map or an unknown who is totally dedicated to their sport. They may be a coach or a competitor, someone who has achieved great things in their chosen field, someone who has inspired others to excel or a club official who is a positive role model for their club and sport.

The following points are intended as guidelines only, to help you with your nomination.

Someone who dedicates their own time to coaching or organising sporting events.
Someone who demonstrates positive action to benefit the local community.
Someone who encourages and supports their club volunteers.
Someone whose positive manner, enthusiasm and willingness for their role encourages and inspires others.

This award is open to anyone connected with sport in Barnsley – sportsmen and women, coaches, managers and club officials.

Category Sponsor

Perrys Motor Sales Limited

Claycliffe Road
Barugh Green
Barnsley S75 1LR

Telephone: 01226 776100

www.perrys.co.uk

Perrys has been situated in Barnsley for over ten years selling a wide variety of vehicles and running successful service/parts departments.

Its Claycliffe Road branch, situated in Barugh Green, is home to three major franchises – Vauxhall, Citroen and Mazda – selling all the latest models from the manufacturers.

In addition Perrys, which supports the Motability scheme, sells a wide variety of quality, used cars and has a trade centre with vehicles from only £995.

Most of its employees live in and around Barnsley and the branch gives back to the community by supporting Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL), sponsoring Barnsley FC for seven consecutive seasons, taking part in Cannon Hall’s annual shows and holding its own open days throughout the year, welcoming customers and locals for fun, food and fantastic savings.

Alan Greenwood, General manager of Perrys, Barugh Green, says the motor sales group wanted to be part of the Proud of Barnsley awards for a second year as the company believes in rewarding and recognising special people within local communities.

“We are really proud to be part of the Barnsley community,” says Alan. “Without it we wouldn’t be in the position we are today as we very much rely on business from the people of Barnsley, and strive to provide a service to keep our neighbours coming back time and time again.

“We chose to support the sporting achievement category as sport in all ages is something we believe in as it brings people together.

“We have strong ties with sport in the community by supporting our local BPL centres and sponsoring Barnsley FC for so long.

“In a winner we would like to see someone who is keen to succeed, extremely driven and has worked tremendously hard to achieve their goals.”

I both live and work in Barnsley, I was born in the old Becketts hospital in the town centre and have lived in Cudworth all my life. I’ve always been impressed and enjoyed the town’s straight forward down to earth view on life and the important things that really matter like community spirit and being proud of our heritage.

Alan Greenwood

Manager of Perrys, Claycliffe Road, Barugh Green