Community support, ambition and international sport
Barair Systems Limited is best known for mechanical engineering design, product development, independent review work and practical problem solving. However, we have also believed that a business should play a positive role in the wider community where it can.
One example of this was our historic support for karate athlete Katelyn Entwistle, a Bradford-based martial artist whose commitment, discipline and international ambition reflected many of the values that Barair Systems respects: technical excellence, perseverance, preparation and continuous improvement.
Supporting an athlete beyond sponsorship
Barair Systems’ involvement was not limited to simply placing a logo beside an athlete’s name. Adrian Lowes provided practical support as Katelyn’s manager, while Barair Systems also supplied equipment and contributed towards the significant travel costs involved in competing and training internationally.
For athletes competing at a high level, particularly in sports outside the major professional funding structures, the practical barriers can be substantial. Travel, equipment, competition entry, coaching, training camps and time away from home all place demands on the athlete and their family. Barair Systems was pleased to contribute towards reducing those barriers.
A Barair Systems sponsor video from 2018 can still be viewed here: Katelyn Entwistle Sponsor Video 2018.
A record of achievement
Katelyn’s karate career has been recognised in several published sources. Her current JKS Bradford instructor profile records that she began karate in 2005, achieved Shodan black belt in 2013, was selected for the English Karate Federation’s Kata Squad in 2014, and went on to win European and world titles in Shotokan competition before returning to Shito-Ryu karate between 2015 and 2018.
The same profile records that in 2018 she became Under 21 Commonwealth Kata Champion and also won bronze in the Senior Female Kata event. It also notes her later contribution to the sport through teaching and promoting karate at JKS Bradford. See: JKS Bradford – Instructors.
Katelyn’s international competition activity is also listed through the World Karate Federation/Sportdata ranking system, including Karate1 Premier League and Series A events across Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. See: WKF / Sportdata – Katelyn Entwistle ranking profile.
Katelyn was also recorded as a grant recipient by The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust, which listed support for her training, equipment and competitions in karate. See: The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust – Katelyn Entwhistle.
Why this mattered to Barair Systems
Engineering and elite sport may appear to be very different worlds, but they share important principles. Both require discipline, structured preparation, attention to detail, feedback, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.
By supporting Katelyn, Barair Systems was able to help a talented local athlete pursue opportunities that extended far beyond Bradford and West Yorkshire. That support aligned with our wider belief that expertise, time and resources should sometimes be used not only for commercial projects, but also to help people develop and achieve.
Community impact
The most valuable outcome of supporting an athlete is not only measured in medals. It is also seen in confidence, role modelling, coaching and the inspiration that high-level performers can provide to younger people.
Katelyn’s later involvement in teaching and promoting karate demonstrates how investment in one person can continue to benefit others. Supporting individual ambition can create a wider community return, particularly when that individual goes on to coach, mentor and encourage the next generation.
A long-standing business with local roots
Barair Systems Limited has been operating since 2003, providing mechanical engineering design and consultancy services to clients across a range of sectors. Our work is technical, but our values are practical: solve problems properly, support people where possible, and take a long-term view.
Our historic support for Katelyn Entwistle is one example of that approach in action. It reflects a simple principle: successful businesses should, where they can, put something back into the communities and individuals around them.
Related links
Katelyn Entwistle Sponsor Video 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0LThcVM4ds
JKS Bradford instructor profile: https://www.jksbradford.com/classes/instructors
WKF / Sportdata ranking profile: https://setopen.sportdata.org/wkfranking/ranking_main_competitor.php?hidemenu=true&ranking_competitor=SCO2156&ranking_country=SCO
The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust grant record: https://www.jwct.org.uk/sports/katelyn-entwhistle
Telegraph and Argus: https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportother/17300508.entwistle-takes-commonwealth-karate-championships-medals-double/
Telegraph and Argus: https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportother/14845833.bradford-karate-star-katelyn-determined-to-achieve-2020-olympic-dream/
Telegraph and Argus: https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportother/15130705.rebekah-tiler-and-katelyn-entwistle-share-young-female-sportsperson-award-at-the-provident-bradford-sports-awards
