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| Andy Farrell - Sophie Carrigill - Judi - Richard - Eleanor Harding and Graham Rowntree |
The Youth Sport Trust kindly invited us to the
National
Talent Orientation Camp at Loughborough University to present the Harry
Mills Team Maker Award. We were
especially proud to make this award to such worthy winners – Sophie Carrigill and
Eleanor Harding. Both have kindly
commented on the awards.....
Sophie comments – “I
was in a car accident in August 2010 when I was 16 and I suffered a spinal injury,
leaving me paralysed, amongst many other life threatening injuries. Before the accident I was a very sporty girl,
competing at high levels in netball and also playing hockey and tennis for my
school. After the accident, I was
determined to get back into sport and decided to try wheelchair basketball a
year after my accident. I instantly
loved it, even though I was very stubborn to begin with, and didn't like being
terrible at it. I quickly progressed though having already learnt a lot of the
skills due to my sporting back ground. I
was invited to an Open Women’s Camp and since then I have been selected to
attend HPCs (High Performance Centres) with GB athletes, to train with the
squad, also to more Women's Camp and I have recently played for the Coyotes
team which are the GB Women's Team that play in the National League. My dream goal is to be selected for a
Paralympics to represent my country and I'm so determined to achieve that dream”
Eleanor – “I can't
begin to put into words how truly honoured I feel to have been given such
heartfelt and emotive recognition for something that I care so deeply
about. It is a poignant reminder that
will stay with me forever, of the incredible young people that sport has to
offer - of which I have no doubt Harry was one. The enthusiasm and passion
radiating from all the young coaches was energising and inspiring and I
sincerely look forward to being able to work with such people again”
The awards were made with Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell
coaches from the England RFU. Both also
gave a fascinating question and answer session with Baroness Sue Campbell CBE
Chair of the Youth Sport Trust.
It is especially moving for us and a great salute to Harry
for us to be making this award to such inspirational athletes.
With Harry being a keen rugby player it seemed his spirit
was with us as we presented the awards in the company of Graham Rowntree and
Andy Farrell.
