Holy Cross blazes a trail for sport
Hamilton school is flourishing
Hamilton’s Holy Cross High has set the standard for Scottish schools after receiving a second Gold School Sport Award from sportscotland, the national agency for sport.
The 2017 Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards will showcase great schools and clubs, and the individuals who are the beating heart of Scottish sport.
Holy Cross has a terrific track record of helping young talent to flourish, and is one of six cluster schools in South Lanarkshire which are supported by Active Schools coordinator Laura Somerville.
Laura not only works tirelessly to ensure pupils get the most out of sport at the school, but she looks out for them beyond the gates by creating strong community links with clubs in the area.
She said: “I have always been involved in sport and when I was younger I used to love attending events, participating in festivals of football, rugby and netball, so a big part of my job is to work with our team of Active School co-ordinators to provide sporting events in this area.
“I absolutely love working in sport and I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to see sport change young peoples’ lives.”
International netball player Bethan Goodwin is just one example of how the school encourages its pupils to progress in sport.
The 17-year-old now benefits from expert support provided by the sportscotland institute of sport and hopes to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast next year.
Bethan said: “Because of sport in the school, I was able to become a Young Ambassador, which really improved my confidence.
“I then applied for the role of school sports captain, which I got.
“As a national netball player, I have linked up with Laura to go out to local primary schools to motivate and inspire other pupils.”
Bethan is a member of Scotland’s semi-professional netball club Sirens, who play at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow in the Sky broadcast Vitality Netball Superleague.
She has competed for the Scotland under-17 squad in Netball Europe competitions, earned her first under-17 cap at 14, and has captained the side.
Bethan has also competed for Scotland under-21s at Netball Europe and gained her first cap as a Scottish Thistle at 16 at the Open Championships in May 2016.
Grant Ross, principal teacher of PE at Holy Cross, said: “We do well at celebrating and recognising the success of our pupils.
“We work with clubs to look at pathways, making sure we can deliver a great physical education, sport and physical activity curriculum.
“I remember Beth being a quiet first year who didn’t really want to speak at the front of assemblies, but now she can stand up in front of assembly and can take kids aside.”
Who do you think are the true heroes of Scottish sport?
If you know anyone who deserves recognition in the 2017 Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards, nominate them at sundaymailsportsawards.co.uk in categories such as School Sport Award, Local Club of the Year and Local Hero. Nomination deadline is October 2.
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