MARTYN Skipper’s beaming smile was one of the enduring images of last year’s Grassroots Heroes Awards.

To say he was happy with his senior sports personality of the year award is something of an understatement of epic proporations.

But Skipper thoroughly deserved and obviously enjoyed his moment in the spotlight – now he wants others to be able to share his joy.

Skipper underlines everything good about local amateur sport and captures everything the Grassroots Heroes Awards are about.

He is dedicated to martial arts and runs Tower Shukokai Karate Club with enthusiam along with other club officials and coaches.

Over the years, he was won many honours and trophies but last year he won the European title that had eluded him so long.

It was for that, and his dedication as a coach to his members that earned him his award.

Was he happy, of course he was!

“It was a wonderful honour to pick up the award,” said Martyn at the time. “I was completely shocked.

“The Grassroots Heroes Awards is the community’s chance to celebrate and reward the many local clubs, athletes, administrators and coaches that enrich our region.

“I would urge everyone to get involved – either by nomination your local heroes, by offering to volunteer at a local sports club, or by getting on your trainers (or in my case getting them off) and joining in!”

Everyone has a story when it comes to amateur sport and Martyn is no different.

“When I was a scrawny, bookish 13-year-old I had little interest in sport and certainly had no notion that I might actually participate in nasty, sweaty activities.

“But one December evening in 1976 though I walked into a karate class and it changed my outlook – and my life – forever.”

I got the karate bug and training became a regular thing.

“To supplement my karate training, I began to run. That led to an overall improvement in fitness and I took up squash and tennis.

“Along with the improvement in health and fitness came a growing self-confidence and a whole new social circle.”

Martyn, who was born and raised in South London, competed and attended courses around the country.

One such event brought him to Wigan and then eventually Darwen were he lives now.

“Eventually I got the opportunity to travel the world too, firstly on club tours but later representing my country,” he said.

First Wigan and then the world!

“All these opportunities came as a direct result of the contribution of a local karate club,” said Martyn.

“Similar such clubs around the country are led by – in the main- dedicated amateurs and volunteers.

“Some may spawn national and international champions but many more contribute something positive, however small, to individuals and communities through the fitness, health and social benefits of sports participation.”

While his introduction to karate changed Martyn’s life for ever, meeting different people from different sports at last year’s award was also a big moment “Last year the people of East Lancashire honoured me with a Grassroots Heroes Award,” He said.

“The awards dinner brought together sports as diverse as rugby, snooker, skiing, boccia and martial arts in a celebration of the athletes, hard working coaches and dedicated administrators that keep these sports clubs and their facilities available to the community.

“Since my award, I joined the “Join In UK” Local Leaders team to help encourage wider participation in sport by supporting, enabling and helping volunteers to get involved.

“My own club, Tower Shukokai Karate Club, has been in Darwen since 1987 and our members range from Key Stage 1 to Veterans, as well as elite international athletes.”