Neil Robinson MBE (Courtesy of ITTF)
Neil Robinson, the former Paralympic Gold medallist and current coach of Team GB’s hopefuls, has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his services to the sport. Robinson MBE (Member of the British Empire) has been present at every Paralympic Games sinces 1984. He competed in Class 3 events from Paralympic Games stretching from Seoul (1988), Barcelona (‘92), Atlanta (‘96), Sydney (2000), Athens (‘04) and Beijing (‘08).
It was in Barcelona that Robinson achieved his greatest success with a gold medal in the Men’s Team Class 3 event alongside his team-mate James Rowson.
That was one of six medals he has won at the Paralympics to go alongside his three medals from the World Championships (one gold) and eight medals from the European Championships, which included three more golds.
Robinson said of his award: “It makes me feel immensely proud. When we received the news I really got a good warm glow, a real sense of prode that I’d been recognised for something that I have been involved in for so many years.”
After retiring in 2009, Robinson has taken up a new role as an England coach which means a new role could beckon for him at yet another Paralympic Games when London 2012 arrives later this summer.
He is looking forward to the challenge: “My intention now is to channel my skills, knowledge and passion into coaching and help those who are prepared to listen! I have recently been added to the Paralympics GB table tennis coaching team and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
He added: “It would be great to be a part of the London 2012 team and hopefully help others achieve what I have and more.”
