Colleagues nominate ‘enthusiastic’ student (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Volunteer is up for community award for getting work mates into sport

11:00am Tuesday 7th August 2012 in News By Tanya O'Rourke

A student who set up a football league for NHS workers in Bradford has been nominated for a Community Stars award.

Tom Brown, 20, who works part-time as a catering assistant at Bradford Royal Infirmary , created the league to encourage his co-workers to get involved in sport.

Mr Brown, of Fairweather Green , has been organising the fixtures himself voluntarily while studying for his sports and recreation development degree.

After the success of the league, which has matches every week, he is helping to put together an 11-a-side team which will play in the Bradford Sunday Alliance league from September.

He was also part of a group that organised a boccia and new age kurling competition for disabled children in Leeds.

Joanne Wherrell, of the community sport and development unit at Bradford Council, put him forward in the Community Sport Maker category of the Telegraph & Argus awards after he took part in a work placement in her department.

In her nomination she said: “Tom’s persistence, enthusiasm and encouragement has led to seven teams playing every Wednesday in a semi-competitive environment. Many of the players have been sedentary for more than ten years until Tom encouraged them to take part and now they are fitter and motivated about taking part in sport. He is organised, motivated and a great role model.”

Mr Brown said: “It is a great honour to be nominated by someone who I have worked with. It is nice to know I am appreciated for the voluntary work I have done.”

Nominations are still being sought for the Community Stars awards scheme.

It is organised by the Telegraph & Argus in association with Bradford Council, and aims to see hard-working volunteers recognised for their good work in their neighbourhoods.

Nominations can be submitted in the categories of Good Neighbour, Volunteer, Fundraiser, Community Group, Young Active Citizen, Community Champion and Community Sport Maker.

Nominations, which must be received by September 8, will be shortlisted and the finalists will be put to a public vote.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at City Hall on December 3, where they will be presented with a Bradford Medal.