It’s the final countdown
Teens are ready for Murray’s health challenge
Five teenagers from Erskine have made it to the finals of a digital health challenge set by tennis champ Andy Murray.
The team of S5 pupils from Park Mains High School have been shortlisted to compete in the final of the inaugural Digital Health and Care challenge.
The challenge, launched by Murray in partnership with the Digital Health and Care Institute (DHI), aims to find breakthroughs in digital health and inspire a future generation of innovators.
Luisa Steele, Adam Hazle, Craig Kennedy and Connor Wilson, who together form Enpower Fitness, impressed the judges with their idea to develop an app for young people to use with their families to encourage healthy living at home.
Their mentor and group member Olivia Bell, who is active schools and community club development officer, said they were really looking forward to the next stage.
She said: “The team is very happy about this result and we are very excited to move on to bootcamp.
“We are all extremely passionate about health and fitness so this has been a unique and enjoyable challenge for us all.”
Enpower Fitness will now attend the Digi Inventors Bootcamp this autumn alongside other finalists, where they will develop entrepreneurial skills by attending a series of masterclasses and workshops hosted by industry experts.
They will then present a professional pitch to a panel of expert judges and the overall winner will be announced and presented at Andy Murray Live at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on November 7.
The winning team will then see their design developed into a prototype by DHI and European leader in digital transformation, Sopra Steria. Support will also be sought from businesses and investors with a view to commercialising the successful solution.
The prize package includes Apple watches for all shortlisted entries, £500 for the runners-up, and iPads and £2,000 funding for the winning school, college or group.
Murray said he was looking forward to seeing the positive impact that the winning innovation will bring.
He explained: “Digital health and care technology has the potential to help everyone understand their health.
“It’s fantastic that so many young people have submitted such strong and exciting ideas. I look forward to seeing how these ideas progress as we work towards new solutions to help young Scots live fitter, healthier and happier lives.”