John Roelich

John has dedicated much of his working life to encouraging children to take up sport. Throughout his teaching career he has been instrumental in developing a variety of sports, involving a large number of children and young people. John, as Director of Sport in a Carlisle comprehensive school, used a scheme to introduce different sports in Primary schools to encourage younger children to participate in a wider variety of outdoor activities, than that which would normally be available to them. He is very involved in orienteering, sits on the committee of our local club - Borderliners. Nine years ago he set up and runs an orienteering league for local schools, as a result orienteering is now on many local school's sports calendar. John and his wife run regular orienteering coaching sessions for juniors leading to a series of competitive events. He is involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and is an assessor for canoeing, hiking and navigation. He seems to spend most of his daylight hours doing something which involves children and young people, at the expense of his own free time. He is also a member of the Penrith Mountain Rescue Team which involves being on call at all hours and responding to emergencies on the fells. Through his enthusiasm and encouragement he sets a fine example to children and young people, all of whom would be proud and delighted to see him carrying the Torch - an emblem of sport, through the streets of Carlisle.