Inspirational Huntly cross country ski coach who led Winter Olympics team is named in Queen's Birthday Honours List
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A HUNTLY man who has helped to inspire a generation of future athletes has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, announced yesterday.
Roy Young (63), who received the award for services to Nordic Skiing and to the community in Huntly said that he ahd been stunned to receive notification of the honour.
He said: "It came completely out of the blue. I was quiet emotional to think I had been put forward but I am really pleased and feel honoured. Much of what I have been done has been as part of a group of people, I have not been the only one promoting skiing to local youngsters."
Mr Young was a member of the group which founded the Huntly Hillwalking and Ski Club - using the former Battlehill Hotel to hire out skis and encourage people into the hills.
The interest shown for skiing led to Mr Young and a group of other enthusiasts developing the idea for Huntly Nordic Ski Centre which was taken on board and built by Gordon District Council.
The centre recently marked its 30th anniversary and Mr Young said that he was proud of what had been achieved there.
He said: "It has introduced a lot of people to different activities and last year was key in getting kids back into sports and outdoor activities after the pandemic."
He established a junior development squad which is still going strong and has given youngsters the opportunity to represent club and country a at home and abroad, including Olympic Winter Games, World Championships, World Cups, Scandinavian Cups and high calibre FIS races..
His success attracted the attention of the British Olympic Association and as national head coach for cross country skiing, he re-established a cross country skiing programme after a twenty year gap and has led teams to three
A director at the national governing body British Ski and Snowsport, he was awarded the Snowsport Scotland coach of the year title in 2014. Ten years previously, he received a coach of the year award at an Aberdeenshire awards ceremony.
Following his retirement Mr Young now devotes much more of his time to the sport at a grass-root level through coaching at the Huntly Nordic Ski Centre supporting up and coming athletes from the club’s membership of around 150, as well as leisure enthusiasts.
n Also honoured was Inverurie swimmer, Hannah Miley, who received the Member of the British Empire honour.
Ms Miley (32) has won 50 medals in Europe and World Championships and Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
