Claymores Fan Robbie wins National Award
A YOUNG Scottish Claymores fan has won a prestigious national award for his work promoting and organising his local American football team, the Highland Wildcats.Robbie Paulin, who is 18 and from Inverness, beat out 40 finalists to scoop first prize and £1,000 in the Sport category of The Whitbread Young Achiever awards at a special awards lunch in London on Tuesday.
The Whitbread Young Achiever awards (WYA), now in their second year, aims to celebrate exceptional, and often unsung, achievements by young volunteers, aged between 16 and 25. There are four categories: arts, community, environment and sport.
Robbie, from Muirtown, was nominated in the Sport category which is sponsored by David Lloyd Leisure and Sport England, by his father David Paulin, for his remarkable efforts promoting American Football in the Highlands.
Robbie, who has been a devoted American Football fan since he was first taken to see a Claymores game by his dad, started by playing the game but soon discovered a greater aptitude for coaching. He has been at the forefront of developing teams in the UK, with his own team the Highland Wildcats retaining the Scottish Flag Championship last February.
In February, Robbie was awarded the Highland Youth Coach of the Year at the Gael Force Ten coaching conference. According to his father, his enthusiasm is not restricted to coaching - Robbie uses any opportunity he can to raise awareness of the game as well as encouraging others to take up coaching.
David Paulin said: "Robbie has raised the profile of this new and exciting sport and brought in reach of everyone - all equipment is supplied free because of his efforts finding funding from businesses and the National Lottery. American Football in the Highlands is now here to stay."
Claymores grassroots coordinator SCOTT COUPER, commented: "We are delighted Robbie has won this award and has been recognised for his efforts in the north-east of Scotland. Robbie and his family have a key part of the success of the Claymores grassroots programmes in Scotland and he should be very proud of this achievement. It is fully deserved."
Judges in each category, including Olympic winner Duncan Goodhew, broadcasters Floella Benjamin and Michaela Strachan and Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, whittled down the longlist to three finalists in each category.
The winner in each category was announced at a special awards lunch in London where they received £1000 for personal and project development as well as £250 in Leisure Vouchers and, importantly, 12 months' follow-up support. Runners up each received £150 cash and £150 worth of Leisure Vouchers.
28 Sep, 04 | 7:04 pm