LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
Young people in the Strath will get the chance to acquire extra sports qualifications thanks to an award from Crieff Co-op.
Scottish Sports Futures ( SSF) recently received £ 5260.30 from the community fund that builds when Co-op members buy Co-op branded items.
The pay- out will go towards providing extra qualifications for those interested in expanding their education.
Taylor Legge, training and accreditation coordinator for SSF, told the Herald: “Scottish Sports Futures is a charity passionate about using the power of sport and physical activity to engage with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people empowering them to be confident, healthy, and happy.
“The Crieff Co-op community fund has supported the delivery of our Education Through Cashback (ETC) programme in Perth and Kinross. “The programme consists of six SCQF- accredited modules which take a youth work approach, encouraging young people to shape their learning and skills whilst also providing them with tangible qualifications. During the pandemic we have adapted our ETC course delivery to an online platform to provide young people and practitioners with opportunities to learn.
“We are working closely with the Active Schools Team in Crieff planning in delivery of our Communication module to students in Crieff High School.”
Nick Keiller, who is based at Strathearn Community Campus, will lead the programme as part of his role as Active Schools Coordinator for the Crieff cluster area.
He said: “To date I have delivered Module 4: Communication to Crieff High School Sports Leaders level 5 participants.
“Unfortunately, due to the current situation with school closures I have been unable to deliver any additional modules to Crieff High pupils.
“However, I am in discussions with the school’s guidance team to organise the delivery of an additional module to a group of pupils who would benefit from participating in this national SSF programme, developed in partnership with Youth Scotland, that aims to enhance sports coaches, youth workers and volunteers understanding of personal development through sport.”
Meanwhile, Nick has been kept busy during the pandemic developing or facilitating programmes for local primary and secondary pupils.
Last year, amongst other activities, he helped local schools participate in the Scottish Disability Sport Virtual Pentathlon, providing information and techniques to compete in the event, enabling 12 Crieff High and five Crieff Primary School pupils to take part.
He is also involved with delivering the Community Sports Leader Award.
This has given ten S5 students the opportunity to learn and develop five essential skills - communication, selfbelief, teamwork, self- management and problem solving – which link directly with Education Scotland’s ethos of helping young people to become successful learners,confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
Nick added: “Once qualified, the local management group cluster will benefit from ten sports leaders, who will be deployed amongst the local cluster primary schools to deliver after-school sport and physical activity sessions.”
The Active Schools coordinator has also been working with various partners including the SRU, Crieff and Strathearn Rugby Football Club and Morrison’s Academy to secure funding to employ a local rugby development officer for the Strath.