Greneway’s head of PE wins School Sport Matters award at Wembley Stadium

GRENEWAY SCHOOL stalwart Terry Graves rubbed shoulders with the great and good of British sport as his services were officially recognised at the Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards.

Graves was honoured for nearly 20 years of service to the school by being commended in the School Sport Teacher of the Year category at a glittering ceremony at Wembley Stadium.

The 50-year-old, mixed with a host of current and former Olympians at the ceremony - including Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell as well as World Cup winner George Cohen.

But, while quick to admit he had enjoyed his spell in the limelight, Graves was anxious to deflect praise onto the rest of the school’s efforts – and those of his former teaching mentors.

“It was a fantastic experience to go to Wembley and to see all the former sports stars and see them and speak to them,” said Graves.

“But it was also quite humbling because while it is great to be nominated and recognised I am really just part of a team and it is as much an award for them as for me.

“I was encouraged into teaching by a number of different people when I was younger and I thoroughly enjoy the job.”

Graves won over an 11-strong judging panel including Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms, former Arsenal and England footballer Lee Dixon and England cricketer Isa Guha.

And Guha, who has helped England’s cricket team win the Ashes, World Cup and World Twenty20 competitions, was quick to pay tribute to the efforts of Graves and his fellow winners.

“I think school sport is so important and it is great for teachers and pupils to be recognised for the hard work they do,” said Guha.

“Schools are the first contact for children and sport and so many people do so much good work it is great that there is an event that gives them credit.”

The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the UK and form part of Aviva’s commitment to give all children the opportunity to get active by 2012 through the Aviva Academy. Go to aviva.co.uk/athletics