The Standing Tall Foundation Award
The Standing Tall Award is a highly prestigious honour named after the Standing Tall Foundation, a charitable organisation designed to promote mental and physical health across community groups, specifically helping the disadvantaged and vulnerable.
The foundation is deeply passionate about supporting young people in our community, a support that RLA proudly reciprocates and appreciates.
This award recognises a person within our club who has stood out because they are, quite simply, amazing. It transcends football; it is about the very content of their character. Usually, we ask coaches to nominate players or individuals, and the foundation selects a winner. This year, however, the RLA Committee felt so strongly about one specific individual that we proposed a sole nomination to the foundation. They wholeheartedly and instantly agreed.
We were privileged to have Charlie Eke (Chief Executive of the Foundation) and founder Andy Reid MBE with us at the Brewdog Stadium to present the award. Andy, who recently became the first triple amputee to complete the London Marathon to raise money for veteran soldiers, is a true inspiration to us all, making the presentation of this particular award even more powerful.
This year’s award was presented to Louise Austin.
Louise’s story is one of extraordinary courage, resilience, and complete selflessness. While battling breast cancer and undergoing multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, she never once lost sight of her commitment to her Under 12 girls’ team. Even during the toughest, most grueling days of her treatment, Louise continued to show up, support, and inspire her players, showing them face-to-face what true strength looks like.
Her unwavering dedication helped guide the Under 12s to incredible league success this season. But her greatest achievement isn’t found in the league table; it is found in the invaluable life lessons she has gifted these young girls. She has taught them resilience, positivity, commitment, and the vital importance of never giving up, no matter what challenges life throws your way.
Louise is far more than a coach. She is a role model, a pillar of our community, and the very definition of what it means to stand tall in the face of adversity.
Congratulations, Louise. Your bravery has touched so many lives, and we are profoundly honoured to have you in our club. ❤️🏆
