Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Kids can win cash for clubs Sporting grants
Pupils at St Margaret’s High are getting on their marks to net funds for local sports clubs and increase young people’s participation.
First-year pupils at the Airdrie school are taking part in a pilot initiative devised with the Sporting Chance Foundation (SCF), competing for three grants of £ 1000 to be used to benefit organisations in their area.
Teams will be asked to connect with community sports clubs, find out about the opportunities they offer and how they could increase young people’s participation and give a presentation to judges and classmates to secure the funding for their chosen group.
It is being run by SCF and its founder Martin Lightbody, the former bakery owner, and follows the success of the charity’s summer sports camps at the Airdrie school, which included skiing and golf.
Principal teacher Luisa Lawlor said: “Martin approached the school and together we’ve come up with this programme to pilot. We also have local clubs on board. Martin will be providing financial support to the winners to support the community and our school.
“Each team is responsible for directing a Sporting Chance grant to a local sports club through teamwork, research and competition.
“The foundation is all about supporting participation and aims to promote access to sport for children in Scotland.”
Martin Lightbody said: “Through the St Margaret’s programme we hope to connect young people to sporting opportunities, increase the proportion participating and provide an opportunity to develop new transferable skills.
“Our objective is to create an initiative that engages the community and available resources to promote sport for all and increase participation in young people. This is a pilot scheme and to have it included in the school curriculum is a major achievement.”
He hopes the project can be rolled out across Scotland.
It was launched at a special event at St Margaret’s which saw more than 180 pupils hear from speaker Paula McGuire about how sport has changed her life.
She said: “I’ve gained a lot from sport through personal challenges and adventures and know from experience that the endorphins can do wonders for your mental health.
“Programmes like this are a great way to get young people joining the conversation of how to increase youth participation in sports.
“They tend to approach problems differently and involving them in the discussion on removing the barriers is a great way to encourage new and creative ideas.”