Baton delight for Walsall schoolboy runner
A dedicated teenage runner and school role model will proudly represent Walsall in the Commonwealth Games as a baton-bearer.
Thomas Hynes-Oughton will be one of 12 people taking part in the Queen’s Baton Relay at Walsall Arboretum after being nominated by his school, Brownhills Ormiston Academy.
The 14-year-old, who enjoys middle and long distance running and is a member of Tipton Harriers, said he was shocked but excited to have been chosen.
The relay will take place on Saturday, July 23, from around 6pm with the last baton-bearer being Aldridge swimmer Tully Kearney MBE, who won silver and gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Sports-loving Thomas suffers from hyperactive airway disorder, which has prevented him from taking part in contact sports and curtailed his horse riding.
But this resulted in him turning to running which he now excels in.
Thomas said: “I feel really good and positive about it. I’m really thankful to have been chosen. I found out in March. It was a surprise – I really didn’t think I’d be nominated and so I was really excited.
“I’ve been nominated by the school and because I do a lot of running outside the school. I do long distance running with Tipton Harriers for fun.
“Knowing that I’m representing the school and area is amazing and I feel very lucky.”
His proud mum Helen added: “I feel brilliant, it is a great achievement. I was shocked when I found out.
“We had a message to say he was being nominated and we had to wait a couple of months before we found out, so I was looking at my emails all the time and people would message me.
But it is brilliant. Thomas has always been a sports person. There are a lot of sports he can’t do, such as close contact, because he has a health condition of hyperactive airway disorder.”
Thomas was nominated by his PE teacher, Josh Morgan, who said: “We received a lot of information and email from the Commonwealth Games about baton-bearers and the games themselves.
“One of those things was an opportunity for students to represent the school and the area and be baton-bearers.
“It would give the students an opportunity to do something which they can look back on and think ‘I was able to do that’.
“It was a difficult choice and we’ve chosen someone who is a good role model in the school, someone who takes part and is committed to sport which is what it’s all about.
“Tom is fantastic in PE. He is committed and one of our best Year 9 students who fully deserved it.”
Dad Brian Hynes added: “I think he’s been brilliant and has been committed to running for quite a while and does such a good job. He ran last night and put up a brilliant performance.
“It’s credit to his mom for taking him everywhere in all weathers. She’s dedicated herself to him.”
Birchills Leamore councillor Gaz Ali added: “I’m very impressed, excited and proud that one of my residents is going to be part of the baton relay. It is amazing and something to be very proud of.
“I’m excited as a councillor and it’s a very big achievement for Thomas. I would encourage everyone to get involved with sport.”
