Teacher holds a torch for 2012

A TRAILBLAZING Oldham teacher has become the latest local to see his Olympic dream come closer to reality.

Grateful pupils and parents nominated Steve Hill, deputy head at St Joseph’s Primary School in Shaw, for the chance to carry the Olympic torch in 2012.

Now he’s been told he is through to next stage of the judging process.

He said: “It really is such a great privilege to be teaching at such a wonderful school and I feel very honoured to have been nominated.

“I feel it is so important to try and develop a love of sport within the children at a young age and this is certainly something that we try to do at St Joseph’s.

“To carry the Olympic Torch in 2012 I’m sure would be such a great experience, and would be great for the school.”

Loved by youngsters and parents alike, Mr Hill won the North-West Primary School Teacher of the Year award in 2006, and was runner-up in the national phase of the contest that year.

He went on to be a judge at the National Teaching Awards in 2009, and this year he’s been asked to work with the Goverment’s Training and Development Agency to help raise the profile of teaching.

He’s also been at the heart of the school’s epic fundraising efforts, taking up challenges himself climbing the majestic Kilimanjaro in Africa in 2009 and the 15,79 ft Mount Blanc.

But it’s Mr Hill’s work to promote and encourage youngsters to get involved in sport from an early age which stands out.

He coaches several sports including football, cross-country and swimming as well as arranging inter-school sporting activities.

He’s also set up borough-wide sporting events including netball tournaments and orienteering competitions and taken his Year 6 classes on a Lake District adventure taking on ghyll scrambling and kayaking.

Mr Hill added: “There are so many benefits to be gained from participation at whatever level, and we’re always encouraging our pupils to get involved in the wide range of opportunities we offer.”

Hopefuls have a one in 14 chance of becoming a torch bearer and successful candidates will be informed in December.

They’ll get their hands on the torch on its journey across the UK after it arrives from Greece on May 18, next year.