To most local barflies, cheery barmaid Therese Frawley is good for a yarn and knows how to pull a mean beer.

But be sure to leave a tip, because lurking behind that breezy smile is a flying sidekick that could stop a roadtrain.

And the 20-year-old Uechi Ryu fighter has just added another prestigious award to her overflowing trophy cabinet.

Frawley was named Junior Sports Star 2001 at a gala NSW Karate presentation night in Liverpool last Saturday- the third such award she has claimed in as many years.

In a brilliant year for the Yerrinbool-based Frawley, she bagged a swag of titles including seven state and two national titles.

Frawley also donned the green and gold for the World Junior Titles in Greece.

"It was a good year but I certainly didn't think I'd get the award," she said.

"The competition was extremely strong and I thought I might get runner up.

"It's really nice to be recognised though and it's good for the profile of the sport."

Frawley, who works at and is sponsored by The Grand Bar and Brasserie in Bowral, is now focussing on next month's nationals in Sydney where she will line up in six individual and teams events in both the senior and junior division.

A strong performance will gain her selection for September's Oceania Games, an event Frawley hopes can earn her a spot in the Senior World Games in Spain.

"I'm feeling really good about my training at the moment and I'm confident I'll be right for the nationals," she said.

"I really must thank John Griggs and everyone at The Grand for all the amazing support they've given me."