A PE teacher from Largs is set to attend the prestigious National Eric Liddell Awards in November.
Jamie Murchie has been recognised for his contribution to rugby and supporting players at Largs Academy as one of the Eric Liddell 100.
Nominated by Scottish Rugby, the Largs Academy teacher will attend the awards ceremony on Friday, November 1.
The Eric Liddell 100, set up to mark the 100th anniversary of Liddell’s famous Olympic gold medal win in Paris in 1924, honours 100 “outstanding individuals” who have made “significant contributions” to athletics, sports and community work in Scotland.
Jamie is one of just five people nominated to attend the awards this year after being recognised with an Eric Liddell Recognition Award certificate and pin badge.
Speaking after the announcement, Jamie said: “I am truly honoured to be one of the five individuals attending the National Eric Liddell Awards in November.
“The School of Rugby started around nine years ago, it was an idea I had with the rugby development officer at Ardrossan Accies, about bringing more rugby opportunities to the school.
“It’s just grown year on year from there and we currently have 175 students enrolled. Around 40 per cent of players transition to supporting Ardrossan Accies Rugby Club and a further 10 per cent to other local clubs.
“The pathway really helps with development of their rugby, but above all I just like getting kids out playing and enjoying the game.”
The Eric Liddell 100 is led by The Eric Liddell Community charity and has partnered with four other organisations – Scottish Athletics, Youthlink Scotland, Scottish Rugby, and Scottish Disability Sport – to honour individuals who have demonstrated the charity’s core values of passion, compassion, and integrity.
Known as the Flying Scotsman, Eric Liddell was a sprinter and seven-time Scotland rugby international and his Olympic gold medal win in the 400m at the Paris 1924 games was immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire.
John MacMillan, chief executive officer of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are absolutely delighted to celebrate these 100 outstanding individuals who embody the core values of Eric Liddell – passion, compassion, and integrity.
“Each of the recipients of the Eric Liddell Recognition Award has made a significant contribution to athletics, sports and their community in Scotland, and we are proud to recognise their achievements.
“We look forward to honouring five of these exceptional individuals further at the National Eric Liddell Awards, and we are thrilled to have such esteemed hosts and the presence of our Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to mark this special occasion.
“This is the first year of these awards, and we hope to make this an annual tradition, continuing to commemorate Eric Liddell’s legacy.”
Hosted by Sally Magnusson – respected broadcaster and author of ‘The Flying Scotsman: The Eric Liddell Story’ – and sports broadcaster David Tanner, the awards will also feature elite sports people who have shown their dedication to Eric Liddell’s core values, along with a Science and Technology Award, a subject close to Eric’s heart as he was a science teacher.
The Princess Royal, who serves as Patron of the Eric Liddell 100, will present each nominee with an award highlighting their incredible achievements.
For more information on the ‘National Eric Liddell Awards’ and how to get involved, please visit https://ericliddell.org/events/eric-liddell-awards-gala-dinner/
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