A four day Young Sports Leadership Academy supported with funding by the Holywood Trust has been taking place in Annandale and Eskdale delivered by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Active School and Community Sport Team.
Following an application process, 29 young people from our secondary schools (Langholm, Lockerbie, Moffat and Annan Academy) were selected and brought together in Lockerbie Academy for four days of intensive training.
The four days included a serious of workshops and courses which would provide the young people with the necessary skills to deliver organised sporting sessions in their school and local community. Some of the courses the young people participated in during the four days included UK Sports Leaders, First Aid, Positive Coaching Scotland, Lets Motivate, Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Working with Young People in Sport, Communication and Goal Setting in Sport and Activity and sport specific courses.
The course was aimed at enhancing the skills of young people’s to further increase levels of physical activity and support the development of young sports people in schools and communities across Annandale and Eskdale. The programme grouped together pupils from S4 – S6 to provide skills and training which would also support their progression in further education or employment in the field of sport and sports coaching.
Councillor Jeff Leaver, Chair of the Children, Young People and Lifelong Learning Committee for Dumfries and Galloway Council said of the programme;
“This is a fantastic programme that meets many of our Council’s priorities including the best start in life for our young people and improving the level of skills within our communities and workforce. Our Active School and Community Sport Team have delivered a range of certified training opportunities for these young people that not only demonstrate their commitment but can open doors to further education or employment.
The young people will gain immensely from this programme which will provide them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to organise and support the delivery of sport and physical activity programmes. Officers will continue to work with and mentor the young people to enhance their skills and confidence which will provide further opportunities for others to take part in sport and physical activity”
Helen Turner, Assistant Director with the Holywood Trust who was in Lockerbie to present the cheque for £2,500 to the Annandale and Eskdale Active School and Community Sport Team said;
“The Trust is pleased to support this training programme and commitment from young people. The young people are interested in helping in their community, have given up time in their holidays and will then help schools and sports clubs in the area throughout the year to come.”
