IN the countdown to the Examiner Community Awards we profile the three contenders for the Sports Personality Award. The winner will be revealed at the awards on Monday, June 6, at the Galpharm Stadium.
Next: On Monday we reveal the shortlist for the Arts Award.
SNOOKER is in the blood for record-breaking Robert Read.
The Outlane man won the Huddersfield Billiards and Snooker League for the 13th time this month.
Robert, 40, broke the record held by 12-time champion Tommy Donlan, who dominated the local snooker scene in the 1960s and 70s.
And the Lindley Working Men’s Club player has no intention of slowing down.
“I would love to add to the 13 titles I’ve won,’’ he said. “Snooker is in my blood.”
Robert took up the game when his parents bought him a six-foot long table for Christmas when he was just three years old.
From there it was on to the tables at Cambridge Road Swimming Baths and Hillhouse Bowling Club.
“I was lucky that I was taught in the right way by my coach John Ingleby,’’ he said. “He always told me that when you miss a pot you have to think about why you missed it or else you’ll never improve.”
Robert used to practice for two or three hours each day before his sons Oliver, 12 and eight-year-old Jake came along.
“These days I try to get at least an hour or two of practice in the four of five days in the run-up to matches,’’ he said.
“Snooker is like a combination of golf, chess and pool in one game. It’s like a drug – you keep coming back for more.”
Robert was a professional for four years and has played against some of the greats.
He said: “I took on John Parrot at Slaithwaite Leisure Centre and Ronnie O’Sullivan at Huddersfield Sports Centre.
“I used to play a lot with Paul Hunter – he was a good friend of mine.”
Paul died from cancer in 2006, aged just 27.
These days Robert still makes a living from snooker – re-clothing tables.
“I live and breathe snooker,” he said.
CYCLIST Ivan Boyes is helping young people get involved in the sport.
The Dalton man helped set up Kirklees Cycling Academy last year to encourage children and teenagers into the saddle.
Forty young people aged six to 16 take part in the training sessions at Spen Valley Sports College in Liversedge every Thursday evening.
Ivan, 38, set up the club after noticing a lack of young people at Huddersfield Star Wheelers.
"I have been cycling with the club for five or six years and I thought there weren’t any kids coming through,’’ he said.
"I wanted to get more youngsters involved in the Huddersfield Star Wheelers, that’s why I got into it."
Ivan set up Kirklees Cycling Academy with fellow rider Darren Stringer from Fixby last February.
He said: "When we started the club we did static training to teach the kids how to ride. We teach things like cornering and riding up hill.
"They are basic skills but they help the young people later on when they start racing."
Ivan explained that Kirklees Cycling Academy catered for a variety of skill levels.
"There’s a massive range of abilities,’’ he said. "So long as you can ride a bike without stabilisers you can come along.
"But we’ve also got 16-year-olds who are now taking part in races."
Ivan also coaches at Huddersfield Star Wheelers. He works with 15 children aged from six to 10 at Newsome High School every Saturday.
Ivan enjoys getting in the saddle.
"I’ve been riding since I was 16, my brothers got me into it," he said.
"I like racing and getting out in the fresh air. It’s good fun".
FLAWLESS fighter Tyrone Nurse is on the up.
The Crosland Moor boxer – who has a 100% record as a professional – is stepping up in class.
Tyrone, 21, is aiming for the top after taking his first title this year.
"I want to do as well as I can in boxing and hopefully earn enough for when I get older," he said.
Tyrone took up boxing at the age of 11 after being teased by the fighters at his father Chris Aston’s gym at Colne Valley Business Park off Manchester Road in Linthwaite..
"When I was younger I played basketball and the professional fighters at the gym used to tell me I was soft," he said.
Tyrone started boxing at his dad’s gym at Colne Valley Business Park off Manchester Road in Linthwaite.
He now trains 12 times a week, putting in sessions of between two and four hours.
Tyrone turned professional at 18 and currently has a record of 17 wins in 17 fights – though only one of them by knockout.
The light-welterweight said: "After I turned pro I knew the first few years would be about finding my feet. I’ve learned the trade by fighting journeymen who are there to give you a test. They are tough men and they know how to survive in the ring."
But Tyrone has fought against better opponents in the last year.
He said: "The standard of my opposition has steadily stepped up but the last year has gone really well."
Tyrone’s toughest test to date came in March when he beat Welshman Damien Owen, who had won 11 of his 13 career fights.
Last October Tyrone won the British Masters title with a convincing win over Albanian Ibrar Riyaz at Huddersfield Sports Centre.
