A multi-talented teenager from Aberdeen has gone from strength to strength since receiving funding as part of a long-running Grampian sports grant scheme.
Sam Griffin received funding worth £400 as part of the Chris Anderson Fund in February this year, which is administered by the Active Aberdeen Partnership. Since then the 15-year-old orienteer and distance runner from Aberdeen has gone on to excel and represent Scotland in both sports.
In May, Sam was crowned the Scottish Orienteering Champion in the 16-18 year age group at this year’s Scottish Orienteering Championships in Dumfries and Galloway and a month earlier, he was selected to run as part of the Scotland team at the London Mini Marathon, marking his first athletics competition as a representative for his country.
Sam will then get an opportunity to race on the international stage in October when he competes in the Orienteering Junior Home Internationals in Northern Ireland.
Speaking about how the funding has helped him achieve so much over the last six months, Sam said:
“In Orienteering, gaining experience in as many different types of terrain is essential for an athlete’s development, and the UK ranking events and selection races are held all over the UK. For example, this year selection races have been in Hampshire, Sheffield, and the Lake District, as well as the Scottish Championships, being held in Dumfries and Galloway.
“The grant has helped to relieve the financial burden of having to travel to events further afield than Aberdeen.
“My main focus will now be getting ready for the Junior Home Internationals which is taking place in the Mourne Mountains, County Down in October.
“Whilst I got selected to run for Scotland Schools at the World Schools Championships in Estonia earlier this year, this will be my first-time representing Scotland at the Home Internationals. The standard of Orienteering in Scotland for my age group is very high and I was so pleased to get selected.”
The Chris Anderson Fund was established in 1988 with the purpose of assisting the development of talent in young people who live in the Grampian Region. The fund is aimed at youngsters aged 8-18 years.
Keith Gerrard, speaking on behalf of the Active Aberdeen Partnership, said:
“We are delighted to learn of Sam’s incredible achievements since receiving his funding.
“The Active Aberdeen Partnership is committed to supporting talented athletes in Aberdeen to reach the world stage in their chosen sport.
“For Sam to have already represented his country in both his sports by the age of 15 really does signal a bright future, and it is one that we are excited to watch develop.”
