Our Featured Star Champion...

Our featured star champion is ..

Graeme Kane

Graeme is a Scottish and British Weightlifting Champion who represented Scotland at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and is currently aiming to compete at this year’s Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This year, Graeme worked with a group of S2 pupils at Southcraig Campus in Ayr.

Graeme delivered a series of 3 workshops to the group of boys who have been focusing in class on nutrition, hygiene, physical fitness and the importance of rest. 

Graeme described his experience of Champions in Schools:

'I have been involved with Champions in Schools since 2013 and I am involved as I think it is a great way to educate kids with regards to sport as when I was still at school I thought that competing at the world level was just a dream; and could only be done by people who were naturally gifted and who were fortunate enough to get funding. I thoroughly enjoyed my visits to Southcraig Campus meeting some amazing people who I hope have inspired to take up sport. I passed on messages of goal setting, healthy nutrition and the importance of having a positive attitude. I spoke to the kids about my experiences with each of these and how even the smallest of changes can make big differences. I also implored the kids to try as many sports as they could because if they don't ever try it then they’ll never know if they’ll love it.'

Some of the pupils also commented on their experience:

'We all took turns to lift the weights.'

'Graeme was really strong.'

'When we carried the weight it was really heavy. We saw Graeme with (his team mate) Peter (Kirkbride) on the internet.'

'Graeme brought a belt to show us. This supports his back when he is weightlifting.'

'He brought fruit, vegetables and nuts for us to try. He told us about healthy foods and let us try them. Athletes eat healthy food to get stronger.' 

Our Featured Star School...

Our featured Star School is... 

Newbattle Community High School,Midlothian, S2 class 

Visited by Badminton Champion Susan Egelstaff

Newbattle Community High School has welcomed Susan Egelstaff – Scottish, GB badminton superstar as part of the Champions in Schools programme. Susan has completed two school visits, working closely with a group of S2 girls. She shared her journey to the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and her silver and bronze medal wins and spoke of her career highlights. The girls were keen to ask questions and excited to meet a female role model.

Susan shared the importance of goals and setting targets, she also discussed the importance of a healthy diet. The girls participated enthusiastically and enjoyed both visits. In one task, they came up with their own goals and targets – to play more sport and get fit- and some even wanted to eat less chocolate! Pupils were also keen to discuss their diet and share their favourite foods. Susan emphasised how important breakfast was for the girls and together they discovered the importance of a well-balanced diet. 

In their practical session the girls experienced a circuit which Susan would use in training. The post-practical discussions were great fun and the girls really enjoyed having Susan in school

Susan is due to complete her third visit to Newbattle Community High School in April. The girls are looking forward to welcoming her back into the school and continuing to learn even more about her sporting life.

Our featured star school is...

Our featured Star School is... 

Balfron High School,Stirling, S3 Class

Visited by Rugby 7s Star Colin Gregor

Balfron High completed the Champions in Schools programme from October to December 2013.The purpose of the programme was to bring 25 S3 pupils together and through the aims of Champions in Schools to encourage the pupils to aim high and achieve their best. 

The group was made up of a range of pupils some who needed support with the choices they were making in classes leading to them not achieving their best, some who needed support with their self confidence and some who are performing at a very high level and would benefit from the input of an international athlete.

We were fortunate to have Colin Gregor support the course, as a former pupil of Balfron High he was an excellent role model and showed the pupils what could be achieved by someone who grew up in the same area as them.

A pupil remarked:

"Meeting Colin Gregor and learning about his career as well as his strict training diet and workout sessions was a great experience and really helped me push to achieve the goals I currently have"

The course consisted of 10 sessions. The pupils were mentored by Neil Macquarrie and Neil Thomson of Active Stirling.  Each pupil set out their short and long term targets and enjoyed the process.

The pupils had sessions on Positive Coaching Scotland themes led by Craig Bolan of the SRU, sessions on leadership from Neil Thomson and a session on debating and presentation skills from Nicola Wood and English teacher in the school.

The course culminated in the pupils presenting a report on a particular sporting ethical issue, the pupils worked to prepare arguments and were able to answer any questions which the remainder of the class asked.

The pupils presented very well and enjoyed the challenge of presenting not just to the class but invited guests, including Colin Gregor, the pupils’ teachers and representatives from Active Stirling.

A pupil commented:

 "In my opinion the Champions in schools program was very successful and I

would happily do it again."

Written by Neil MacQuarrie, Principle Teacher of Health at Balfron High School