Sport

Sport Harry set to tee off in memory of his Nan

by Lorraine Gibson

A Bournemouth golf pro whose tattoos, colourful clothes and dyed hair once saw him banned from some clubhouses has proven you can’t judge a book by its cover. Big-hearted Harry Shaw, 29, from Winton and known as the ‘Tattooed Golf Coach’, is taking part in 25 competitions across the UK and Europe this season and will donate half his winnings to the Christchurch charity which helped care for his terminally-ill grandmother. The money will go to Macmillan Caring Locally, which supports the Macmillan Unit Hospice in Christchurch. “My Nan, Helen Hannant, died a month ago aged 86 following a brave battle with cancer,” says Harry. “She was emphatic she wanted to stay at home during her final weeks and she was able to do this with the help of my mum, my aunties and Debbie White, advanced nurse specialist at the Macmillan Unit. He adds: “The care the Mac Unit offered my Nan was incredible - I cannot thank Debbie in particular, enough. “Nan spoke so highly of her and when I said I’d fundraise for the unit, she was very happy.” Harry, who started playing golf at the age of six and was competing at county level aged 13, said: “It will be wonderful to know her legacy is living on in the help we hope to give other patients.” The fashion-conscious golfer now has his own coaching studio, a junior golf academy at Parley Golf Centre and with his brother, Lewy, has launched Shaw Golf, a clothing brand featuring brightly-coloured golf hoodies and polo shirts; 50 per cent of the sales profits will also go to the charity. On his passion for golf, Harry said: “I fell in love with the sport as a child and count myself extremely lucky to have been able to compete and now teach new generations. “I don’t really fit the traditional image of the golfer. My tattoos and loud clothing have seen me banned from clubhouses in the past. But I’m happy that golf is becoming more inclusive... a sport for everyone, and my clothing reflects that.

“My hoodies are bold with different-coloured cancer-ribbon logos and the irreverent slogan FU Cancer. “I’ve had quite a few pre-orders and am hoping more people will buy one – whether they play golf or not - knowing they are helping Macmillan Caring Locally. “Fingers crossed I will have a great season and win some good money for the charity. “One of my sponsors, Copper Monkey Consulting, are matching my donations for the season, which is amazing. “I have some great sponsors this year - Echo Pure Print Management, Vee Fitness, Gordon Barker Sales, Lettings and Commercial and Secure Life Solutions – who’ve funded my entry fees to the competitions, meaning I can donate even more to the hospice.” Lin Sharp, fundraising and communications director of Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “What Harry is doing for us this year is incredible and we cannot thank him enough. His support will make a real difference to the people and families we support and will be a truly fitting tribute to his Nan Helen.” To support Harry visit: justgiving.com/ fundraising/thetattooed golfcoach.

CLOSE-KNIT: Harry’s Nan Helen Hannant with Harry, right, and his brothers Lewy Shaw, back, and Spencer Savage

Sport

Victorious schoolgirls up for the cup

The Year 6 Girls football team from Allenbourn Middle School in Wimborne has won the regional Premier League Primary Stars tournament securing a place in the national finals at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road Stadium in May. Premier League Primary Stars is an annual initiative involving hundreds of school teams from across the country. Allenbourn won a place at the regional tournament after winning the local heat for schools in Bournemouth and Poole. They travelled to Stoneham FC in Hampshire on March 18, representing their local professional team AFC Bournemouth. Team coach, Chris Hickson (pictured with the team), said: “They had a nervous start, narrowly losing to the school team representing Brighton 1-0. But this didn’t dampen their spirits and they won their final two group games, scoring seven goals and conceding none.” He continued: “In the quarter finals they came up against the school team representing Portsmouth and played incredibly well, winning 2-0. “The semi-finals followed, and they had a very close game against the team representing Woking, eventually winning with an amazing extra-time goal. “The thrilling final saw them play the team representing Southampton. This was a really closely-fought game. But the girls managed to end it as 1-0 winners and were crowned champions of the tournament. They - and I - are over the moon.” The girls now move on to the national finals in May, competing against regional winners from across the country on the pitch of Premier League team Watford FC. Cindy Pritchard, headteacher of Allenbourn, said: “The team have done amazingly well and Mr Hickson, myself and the entire school are incredibly proud of their achievements. We can’t wait until May to see them in action at the national finals.” Allenbourn Middle School is part of Wimborne Academy Trust. CEO Liz West said: “What an absolutely thrilling tournament. I’m so proud of how the girls kept their cool and played with such skill and determination. They deserve this fabulous victory and the chance to go on to the finals.”

Sports stars on the ball for spring lunch

Guests were on the ball with Wimborne law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors and rugby legends at Dorset Sporting Club’s Spring lunch. Former Wales international Adam Jones and gold medal winning Paralympian Aaron Phipps were speakers at the event sponsored by Ellis Jones – with an office in East Street – and supported by Julius Baer International Limited. They shared gripping stories and anecdotes about life on and off the pitch during the event at Rick Stein’s Sandbanks restaurant. Nigel Smith, managing partner of Ellis Jones, said: “Adam and Aaron were wonderful company with humorous tales and reflections about the game. “We touched upon the latest Six Nations championship and they gave inspirational insights into their own journeys in rugby and life in general.”