Active Schools Virtual Awards: Young Leader Team of the Year

Kirstie Cronin & Nicole Holburn, St Thomas of Aquins

Throughout their time as Young Ambassador’s (YA’s) Kirstie and Nicole were involved in multiple opportunities progressing from assistant coaches to lead coaches. They organised a Sports Fayre to introduce the sports clubs on offer in the school. Kirstie and Nicole mentored disengaged girls from the school at the ‘Girls Day Out’ event who wanted to become more involved in sports. They played a large part in widening participation in sport for those with ASN. They were hosts at the citywide Active Schools dance show presenting to an audience of 1200.  In their role as YA’s they planned and organised a ‘Family Fun Day’ to celebrate the Year of Young People, participated in multiple YA fund raising activities and through their involvement with the YA Development Group, mentored new YA’s. 

Before heading to university, the girls made presentations to S5 classes about the YA programme and took a role in interviewing and selection of the new YA’s.

Craigroyston Sport & Wellbeing Committee

The Craigroyston Community HS Sport and Wellbeing Committee consists of 18 pupils from S3-6. This group of young leaders are central to the growth and development of both the Active Schools programme and the promotion of sport & wellbeing within the HS. They all either lead or support the delivery of breakfast, lunch or after-school clubs and contribute to the promotion of the Active Schools programme.

They are genuine role models across the school in terms of their commitment, enthusiasm and involvement and without them the extensive range of AS activities would not exist.  When coaching clubs, they are inclusive, fair and encouraging and they can be counted on to arrange cover if they have academic commitments.  It has been a privilege to work with some of these pupils for many years and observe their development into confident, ambitious and mature young leaders.

Firrhill Young Leaders

The senior pupils, which include the Young Ambassadors (YA) at Firrhill HS, are very proactive within school and the wider community. They either lead their own clubs in the high school, take a club in a primary school or assist at other after school clubs. The YA’s lead the annual Sports Information evening, presenting to parents and new pupils. The Sports Leaders deliver sports activities on placement in the primaries and organise two transition festivals and interhouse competitions. Many senior pupils assist at the Multi Sports Camps and with the S1 Health and Wellbeing transition day. There are many events and clubs that wouldn’t take place without these pupils giving up their time. They are great role models who motivate and enthuse younger pupils and their peers to participate in sport and physical activity.