In what has been a fantastic season for London Skolars Mini’s and Juniors, the clubs achievements have been recognised further afield than just the Rugby League Community, with inspirational U13’s Head Coach Paul Quill being nominated for a Haringey Celebrating Sport Award in the Category of Junior Coach of the Year.

This nomination tops off an outstanding year for Quill, whose U13’s, as we reported throughout the year had an absolutely fantastic first season of Rugby League under his tutelage.

Here at London Skolars we measure success of our youngest teams not by trophies or wins, but by the amount of children who return every week to play Rugby League at New River, and Quill’s high quality coaching coupled with his unrivalled passion for the game and developing young people ensured that each week the U13’s were blessed with fantastic numbers whether that be for training or playing. On field success also matched this off field enthusiasm, and the U13’s finished in the play-off places whilst also reaching the Semi-Final of the Junior League Cup.

Paul also continued his coaching development this year by leading the U13’s North in their 2-1 Origin Series win against their Southern counterparts. He has also gained experience working with older age-groups by assisting on the South-East Universities programme which culminates in a game against the South-West in early December.

Community Development Manager Matt Cuss commented on Quill’s nomination ‘it’s fantastic for Paul’s achievements to be recognised outside of the club environment. We at Skolars all know first hand the hard work he puts in to ensure that every player, club and coach he works alongside has a positive experience of Rugby League and of London Skolars, awards like these are important to highlight the great work our volunteer coaches are doing here. Haringey has a rich heritage of sporting success and the Celebrating Sports Awards are a true celebration of all the sporting activity that is going on throughout the borough, the evening itself is always a fantastic occasion and it will top it off for Paul and the club if he is named as a winner on the night.’

The club is no stranger to success at these prestigious awards, being named Club of the Year in 2011 and our outstanding U19’s side of 2013 winning Junior Team of the Year in 2013. Hopefully we will see another Skolars representative on the trophy in 2015.