Troy's legacy lives on in sports project for Bristol teens
Troy, 15, from Hartcliffe, was a keen rugby player – and former Bath and England hero Gareth Chilcott was among those at the award launch ceremony yesterday.
The Troy Atkinson Sports Access Project will have the aim of helping young people take up sport.
Other teenagers will raise funds that can be used to buy kit, pay for transport or help tackle any other obstacle to a youngster starting to play.
Troy's mum Kim said she was pleased and proud that her son, who used to play for Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Club, would be remembered through the award.
She said: "We are very honoured that people have thought of Troy in this positive and constructive way. It means that he can live on through a really good thing."
The award is set up by the team behind Engage, a project to help 14-16 year-olds who have dropped out of or are in danger of dropping out of school.
Troy, who used to go to Withywood Community School, was such a teenager, attending out-of-school learning with a scheme called Active8 and through City of Bristol College. Several of the Engage team had worked with him.
Jane Ivall, of Engage, said: "Troy was a lovely lad.
"He was really sporty. Sport was one of the positive things in his life. He loved his rugby and he was a runner.
"Lots of the young people we work with really want to get involved with sport but things such as lack of money or motivation get in the way.
"This fund will help them. I think that is a really fitting and good tribute to a young sportsman."
Ms Ivall was speaking at the official opening of the Engage project at 25 Portland Square by Gareth Chilcott. Also there was former Gloucestershire and England cricketer Syd Lawrence.
Engage will help 14-16 year-olds to get back into school or move on to training courses or jobs.
It will give them support, guidance, social and employment skills. They will also have the chance to gain qualifications and learn some vocational skills.
● Mohammed Ahmed, aged 19, has pleaded not guilty to causing Troy's death by dangerous driving in Penn Street on April 28. He has been remanded in custody until his trial.
