Bright lad's Hull FC banner wins Ruth Badger's award

AS A staunch Hull FC supporter, Loui Fowler is used to waving banners to support his team.

And now the youngster, 14, a pupil at Malet Lambert School, has turned his sporting love into a business winner.

The teenager was this year's winner of the Badger's Sett competition, run as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

His idea was to create fold-away banners that can be reused time after time.

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He said: "I got the idea at the Four Nations match earlier this year when they were handing out banners.

"I thought, 'These are good, but they could be improved'."

Loui came up with the idea of a banner that would not just last once, but for seasons. The banners can be produced not just for sporting clubs but for any occasion including schools, festivals or even your favourite pop band.

The youngster has even found a company in China interested in producing his product.

"I'm really proud to have won," said Loui. "I was really shocked. My plan now is to carry on developing the product and try to get it produced.

"I have been inspired by my grandad, he used to take me to the markets where I would buy stuff then sell it."

As the winner, Loui was given £750, which was then immediately doubled by former Apprentice finalist Ruth Badger, who was hugely impressed with the product.

He will be mentored by Phil Benson, of Xing Smoothies and Paragon Data Services.

Ms Badger said: "He was head and shoulders above the rest, he was the unanimous winner.

"He has a great idea and a great way about him. He has some great remarks from the judges and everyone could see it was something that would work.

"The winning money was £750 but he has about £2,000 to help develop his product because it was that good.

"Hull is a great enterprising city. This week, we must have worked with more than 1,000 young people, easily.

"You show me a city anywhere else that has done that, show me a city anywhere that is engaging with young people like this."

The Badger's Sett prize was awarded to Loui at a prizegiving ceremony at his school, watched by his mum, dad and grandad.

Ruth said: "His parents were exceptionally proud, the one thing I regret was that my grandad did not see me on the Apprentice because he was such a huge influence.

"One of the reasons I wanted to go to the school to give Loui his prize was because I knew his mum, dad and grandad would be there."

Charles Cracknell, employment and youth enterprise manager who runs Global Entrepreneurship Week, said: "It has been a great week, I would say our best ever.

"The kids have been very interactive.

"One of the themes this year was stop talking, just do it and the kids have just done it."

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