Active Schools Virtual Awards: Volunteer of the Year

Linsay Brassington

Netball in the east of the Edinburgh has always struggled as there is no pathway beyond school netball. Most of the clubs are based in the west of Edinburgh. Despite having only been involved as a recreational netballer Linsay threw herself into her new, and at the beginning, unknown role.  She got involved in coaching alongside a number of Edinburgh University coaches but had bigger ambitions of formalising a club and entering the City of Edinburgh Netball Association Leagues. She has also become one of two parents to volunteer at Duddingston PS to ensure netball at the school didn’t stop when the existing coach moved on. Linsay organised an end of term parent’s and pupil’s fun tournament to try and promote the new club, Portobello Panthers, and had just under 50 people in attendance.

Julia Kerr

Water Polo has been a new addition to the programme at Forrester HS and is now full with 35 pupils attending weekly.  This is largely due to Julia’s enthusiasm and support of the pupils and encouraging them to come along and try a sport they had not experienced before. The club is completely free and is volunteer led.  The volunteers spent a week undertaking their National Pool Lifeguard Qualification so that the club is sustainable.  Julia is also a swim teacher which has allowed us to open the club up to P6-7 pupils which is unusual for water polo as she can progress their swim ability. Also this ensures that the sport can truly be accessed by all. This has been so successful that discussions have begun with Scottish Swimming to ensure children can progress to a club. Julia is very committed to giving access to sport and providing opportunities to progress for those that would not otherwise be able to afford it. 

Lindsay Muir

Lindsay has been an incredibly positive role model in the Wester Hailes cluster.  He works up to 5 hours a week within the cluster during the term time AS programme on top of which he provides taster sessions to both primary and secondary schools to promote his morning and lunchtime clubs. He has also delivered CPD sessions for some of the teachers and senior pupils. Lindsay dedicates his own time to complete funding applications which has resulted in 3 schools having now received up to 6 table tennis tables, sets of bats and balls.  His passion for Table Tennis is infectious and he engages positively with schools. He provides quality coaching, so pupils can play competitively should they wish to or just for fun. His gentle but firm approach enables many pupils who struggle with the freedoms of extra-curricular activities the chance to build up their confidence and skills.