Active Schools Virtual Awards: High School Volunteer of the Year

Brian Findlay

Brian volunteers at Portobello High School across the entire Girls Basketball programme and has done so for over 40 years.  As a former Chemistry and Guidance teacher, he has a clear focus on the development of the pupils in his care. He has used the power of sport through basketball to help develop all pupils but in particular those who are vulnerable.

His focus is always on the development of the individual, but he has also taken many girls teams to the Semi-Finals and Finals of the Scottish Schools Competitions.  This, however, is simply a by-product of his vast knowledge, fun and varied coaching sessions and evidenced by the buy-in from the girls who attend the basketball clubs. There are huge numbers of returning pupils who always credit Brian as being a huge part of why they enjoyed not only basketball but school life in general.

Maggie Duncan

Maggie Duncan lives and breathes hockey and her passion and enthusiasm for the sport is unrivalled. Maggie has built a programme of hockey that includes a full after school training programme (3.30pm – 7.30pm) for S1-S6 Girls and Boys, 5 teams in total. To allow for this delivery Maggie recruits former club players, university students, former pupils, parents and fellow teachers to volunteer to coach. She places a strong emphasis on developing the leadership of senior pupils to coach the younger year groups.

She regularly subsidises activity for those on Free School Meals and actively recruits participants who Pupil Support suggest would benefit from joining the club. She has even organised for a local dentist to provide free gum shield fitting!

Laura Bald

Laura has supported the Senior Boys Basketball Team at Holy Rood RC HS for over 10 years where she has delivered the weekly training sessions. Her generosity and love of Basketball transfers through to her coaching where she supports each pupil who attends training to reach their full potential. It is great to see the high level of respect pupils have for Laura.

To further inspire pupils, every year she will organise her own awards presentation at the last training session of the year. Trophies (which she purchases herself) are presented for Player’s Player, Coach’s Player and Most Improved Player. On top of this, she ensures there is a small token gift for every player in the team.