Search Is On For Aviva Athletics Teacher Of The Year 2012

20 February 2012

First ever award recognising contribution of teachers in athletics is launched!

UK Athletics and Aviva today launched the inaugural Aviva Athletics Teacher of the Year Award. The initiative enables children and parents across the UK to nominate a school teacher, primary or secondary, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in getting young people involved in athletics.

Entries will be judged by a panel made of past and present athletes and headed up by Aviva Academy Ambassador, and former 400m star, Iwan Thomas. The panel will also include Alan Watkinson, former teacher and inspiration to current 5,000m world champion Mo Farah. 

The winning teacher will be crowned the first ever Aviva Athletics Academy Teacher of the Year on Friday 8 June, and will receive Aviva Series Tickets and an equipment package for their school as recognition for their achievements.
Iwan Thomas said: “It’s important to acknowledge the role teachers play in the development of a child and how inspirational a teacher can be in encouraging children to take up sport. The Aviva Athletics Teacher of the Year Award gives children the chance to nominate teachers who inspire them, make sport fun and are working tirelessly to integrate athletics into the curriculum.”

World 5000m champion Mo Farah highlighted the crucial role his former teacher played on his route to world success.

Farah said: “Alan was integral to my involvement in athletics whilst I was at school. Without his advice and guidance, I wouldn’t be a world champion on my way to representing my country at a home Olympics.

“Teachers invest a lot of time in children and this is a great opportunity to give something back. It’s really important that we continue to recognise the hard work and effort of teachers, across the country.”

Children can nominate a teacher for award by writing, in no more than 200 words, why their teacher deserves to be crowned Aviva Athletics Teacher of the Year: myteacher@uka.org.uk. Deadline for entries is Friday 1 June 2012.

For more information on Aviva Athletics Teacher of the Year or to find out how to get involved in athletics, please visit http://academy.uka.org.uk/