St. Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt

News

Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year Awards 2011

Country Derry-based student, Eoghan Doherty,12, of St Marys Grammar School in Magherafelt, has been awarded the title of Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year 2011 for Northern Ireland, it was announced today.

Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, is a free secondary schools initiative that uses sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people.The Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year awards have encouraged schools across the UK to nominate pupils whose involvement demonstrates how sport has supported them in developing skills such as confidence, respect and a sense of achievement.  

With nominations rolling in from schools across Northern Ireland, Eoghan stood out as a clear winner because his story clearly demonstrated how sport can be a great tool for pupils to improve teamwork skills, make new friendships and develop socially. 

With the help of Sky Sports Living for Sport, the school created a project called ‘Fun Sports’ which was designed to encourage pupils to engage in activities that would improve their health, fitness and well-being whilst integrating them with other students. A number of different sports were introduced to the pupils over a six week period. Eoghan was one of the students who took full advantage of the project and as a result his self-esteem and confidence soared.

 Joining 11 other regional finalists from across the UK, Eoghan has been invited to attend a UK awards ceremony at Wembley Stadium on 19^th January 2011, where Olympic gold medal winning sprinter and Sky Sports Living for Sport Ambassador Darren Campbell will be presenting the overall Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year Award 2011.

Personally impressed with quality of Eoghan’s nomination, Darren Campbell commented: “Eoghan really deserves this award. I know how influential sport can be on the development of young people. And going into schools, I’ve seen for myself how much of an impact Sky Sports Living for Sport is having.  It’s incredible to watch how pupils’ attitudes can shift and how belief in themselves and their abilities can be transformed. This award demonstrates how Eoghan is equipping himself with life skills that will help him succeed.” 

Excited to hear the news, John McElholm, Head of PE at St Mays Grammar School, commented: “Eoghan is an extremely worthy recipient of this title; he has benefited greatly from this initiative both in terms of his fitness and health but also socially and personally through enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem. Over the course of the project, Eoghan has developed into a mature, disciplined and respectful young man who embodies the spirit of this project.” 

As a regional winner, Eoghan will receive a £50 Adidas voucher, £500 towards his school’s next Sky Sports Living for Sport project, the chance to be interviewed by a Sky Sports film crew and an additional visit from an Athlete Mentor. 

For any further information, please contact:

The Sky Sports Living for Sport Awards Team

T: 0870 084 4144

E: sslfsawards@midnight.co.uk