Athletics NI Edges Ahead with Win at Sport NI Awards

04 December 2018

Athletics NI Edges Ahead with Win at Sport NI Awards

Kurtis Scott was named Young Technical Official of the Year. He started his officiating career back in 2011 after completing the UK Assistant Officials qualification. Through building his experience at competition, Kurtis subsequently gained the Level 2 Field official qualification in 2013, and in 2017 he became the youngest person in Northern Ireland to achieve the Level 4 qualification.

 

The last year has seen Kurtis officiating at a number of local, national and international competitions, including the UK School Games in September, the Anniversary Games in London in July, and the Northern Ireland and Ulster Senior Championships where he led a team of 14 field officials.

 

Sport NI’s SportMaker Awards recognise the contribution of the local sporting working – the coaches, officials, volunteers and projects making a difference. The Young Technical Official of the Year award recognises up and coming officials who have invested time and energy in their development as an official and who has been a positive role model within local sport.

 

Kurtis received his award from David Smyth, Sport NI Coaching Consultant, at the Seeley Cup in Ormeau Park on Saturday 1st December.

 

Congratulating Kurtis on his success, Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown said:

 

“Sport NI is delighted to be presenting this award to Kurtis and to celebrate his contribution to local athletics. Officials are at the heart of making sport happen and providing the opportunities for people to compete and enjoy sport. Kurtis has displayed a tremendous commitment to developing his experience through his professional development and gaining officiating experience at all levels of the sport. On behalf of Sport Northern Ireland, I would like to congratulate Kurtis on his richly deserved award.”

 

Reacting to his win, Kurtis Scott said:

 

“This feels brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I have been working at this for 7 or 8 years now, since picking up an injury as an athlete and the opportunity to become an official presented itself. To get this award really reinforces that I’m doing something right and moving in the right direction.”

 

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Kerry Woods, Director of Business & Operations with Athletics NI, who nominated Kurtis for his award, added:

 

“Kurtis gives a huge amount of time to the sport of athletics and is justifiably recognised as a very enthusiastic and hardworking official who supports athletics meetings, from local club competitions to International competitions, such as the upcoming European Indoors in Glasgow in March. He is a positive role model and inspiration to others, and has shown that by demonstrating his enthusiasm to other officials, both young and old, who wish to progress to the highest level of officiating.”