Year 11 student Theo Crutchley-Mack entered a nationwide secondary school competition, organised by the Royal Mint, in April 2009, to create a London Olympic Games cycling themed 50p. His design, featuring a rider racing a bike in a Velodrome, beat off huge competition from over 3,000 entries from pupils across the country. To mark his achievement Dave Knight, The Royal Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin, officially announced Theo’s win at a surprise assembly at School on Feb 9th and presented him with a one off gold ‘striking’ of his design.

His creation is the second in a series of 29 officially licensed London 2012 50p commemorative coins, designed by members of the public as lasting mementos of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Each coin in the series depicts a different Olympic and Paralympic sport, with the remaining 27 coins to be revealed Autumn 2010.
Theo’s parents and grandmother were on hand to watch a giant, two metre replica of his design be unveiled on the assembly stage, stunning friends and teachers alike, who knew nothing of his momentous win.  

In addition, Rishworth School was awarded a £10,000 prize courtesy of the Royal Mint. Mr Baker explained how it is intended to put the money to good use: “What Theo has achieved is truly exceptional – he’s a fantastic role model and has done all Rishworthians proud. We feel that the wider community should benefit from this win, as well as our pupils. We’re talking to Theo about how to do this, including helping local, not-for-profit cycling clubs in the area, like Theo’s club, Pedal Sport, based in Halifax. ”

Theo’s cycling design will be found on millions of 50p coins in people's change from September this year, when The Royal Mint’s London 2012 50p series goes into general circulation.