Paul was rightly very proud of being awarded not only "Sportsman of the Year" at Bangor University but also the "AU Presidents Award". This is a copy of the speeches... Sportsman of the year - for outstanding performance while representing Bangor at high level competition and for sportsmanship during his time in Bangor and for pushing the boundaries of the AU. "Now one of the criteria for this award is to push the boundaries of the AU. I can tell you that this person has definitely pushed the boundaries of my budget! Joking aside he's shown massive commitment to his sport organising for them to attend a huge amount of competitions. It's not easy when you take part in an Olympic sport, especially when the Olympic pathway runs through Higher Education, but he has led his club well and brough back some excellent results. Last year, when I'd seen a fantastic job done by the previous committee, i thought it couldn't get any better but he's proved me wrong! Always an optimist and always willing to help out, Sportsman of the Year for 2008 goes to Paul Johnson from Rowing." AU President's Award This is a personal award given by the current AU President. It is for the contribution to sport and for overall outstanding service to the AU and its members over the year. "This year the AU award goes to the person I've seen more than anyone else this year. His service has been outstanding, his commitment unfaltering. He's often in the office before I get there and he spends hours making sure things are running smoothly. While a part of me wishes he wasn't so good just so i could save money, that isn't true and it certainly wouldn't be fair on the members of his club who have benefited immensely from the work he's done all year. Even this week while I've been busily running round trying to organise everything for the AU dinner he's been sorting out a trip for his club. He's most certainly kept Glyn and I on our toes this year ensuring that we never have a spare moment. This is a testament to his hard work, to everything that he has done this year, a personal award to a person who I;ve really enjoyed working with. This year I award the AU president's award to Paul Johnson from Rowing."