Teacher is on track for success with award
An Uddingston teacher has won two top awards for his work to support athletics across Scotland and beyond.
Alongside being a full-time technologies teacher, Mark Stringer is one of the top technical officials supporting athletics in Scotland, as well as being a club coach and a tutor for sports officials.
Over the last few years he has been part of the teams that have helped ensure the success of the London Olympics, Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the World Championships in London and European Championships in Glasgow.
Alongside the headline international events, Mark also coaches for North Ayrshire Athletics Club and spends almost every weekend officiating at events across Scotland.
Mark has been named as the Scottish Athletics Volunteer of the Year and Sportscotland Technical Official of the Year 2019.
His pupils at Uddingston Grammar are fascinated by his sporting role. He said: “The pupils are always keen to hear about the big events and the famous names I meet at them, and I tell we can chat once their class work is completed – it is a very effective incentive.”
Being from South Lanarkshire himself, Mark hopes his achievements can help inspire local young people.
He said: “I am from Hamilton and went to school in East Kilbride and I do like to think my career in sport can set young people thinking that even if they aren’t the star player or fastest runner they can pursue a rewarding path in a sport they love.”
Mark also believes the experience of officiating at international competitions has helped him develop as a teacher. He said: “I feel working with people from across the world, often without a shared language, has helped me develop additional communication skills and that is really useful in the classroom.
“Supporting young athletes also helps with keeping in touch with what young people are interested in which can be helpful in shaping lessons or projects so they feel more relevant.”
From working at the London Olympics through a young officials programme to being the top ranking Scottish official at this year’s European Championships in Glasgow, Mark’s sporting career has mirrored a generation of young Scottish athletes who now compete at the top level and he is delighted to be there with them making sure that everything goes according to plan.
Picture courtesy of Bobby Gavin.