09 April 2018

Aberdeenshire pupils lead the way to sporting success

Eight Inverurie Academy pupils have been awarded Leaders in Sport awards after completing a course which saw them volunteer, help at community events and complete sports coaching qualifications.

In the run up to receiving their awards, three of the pupils were marshals at the Junior Run at Run Garioch 2018. Some of the group demonstrated their commitment by volunteering at clubs outside of school, meaning that the voluntary hours accumulated will not only count for the Leaders in Sport course but also mean they receive additional recognition from the Saltire Awards programme.

Over the course of Leaders in Sport, pupils have accumulated a total of 130 volunteering hours since June 2017. This has seen those taking part in volunteering and training in extra-curricular activities such as basketball, football, Fit for Girls and badminton among other sports.

The Leaders in Sport programme was created by Active Schools and the Academy’s PE Department in 2016-2017 to assist with fostering a blossoming relationship between the school and Garioch Sports Hub. It was also developed to provide opportunities for pupils to increase their leadership skills whilst playing sport.

Cllr Anne Stirling, Aberdeenshire Council Communities Committee chair, said: “The value of volunteering can never be underestimated. Voluntary programmes like Leaders in Sport help give young people the skills they need to find the right job or secure a place at university or higher education after leaving secondary school.”

Committee vice chair, Cllr Iris Walker, said: “It is very fitting as Team Scotland prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Australia that we have a group of young people who have been giving up so much of their own time to support sport within their school and community and I am really pleased to see that they have also gained additional recognition by engaging with the Saltire Awards to enhance their portfolios as they make their way into employment or further education.”