A four-day Young Sports Leadership Academy, supported with funding by the Holywood Trust, took place in Lockerbie Academy for 28 young people from Langholm, Lockerbie, Moffat and Annan who were selected by an application process.
It included a series of workshops and courses to provide the youngsters with the necessary skills to deliver organised sporting sessions in their school and local community.
The courses included; UK Sports Leaders, first aid, Positive Coaching Scotland, Lets Motivate, Top Play/Sport, Safeguarding and Protecting Children and volunteering and professional development courses in football, rugby, netball, tennis and badminton.
Chairman of Annandale and Eskdale area committee councillor Ronnie Ogilvie said: “This is a fantastic programme that meets many of our council’s priorities including the best start in life for our young people and improving the level of skills within our community.
“Our active school and community sport team have delivered a range of certified training opportunities for these young people that not only demonstrate their commitment but can open doors to further education or employment.
“The young people will gain immensely from this programme as they’ll be provided with the skills, knowledge and confidence to organise and support the delivery of sport and physical activity programmes.”
The course was aimed at enhancing the skills of young people’s to further increase levels of physical activity and support the development of young sports people in schools and communities across Annandale and Eskdale.
Assistant director with the Holywood Trust Helen Turner presented a cheque for £2510 to support the programme.
She said: “The young people are interested in helping in their community, have given up time in their holidays and will then help schools and sports clubs in the area throughout the year to come.”
Development officer in Annandale and Eskdale for Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway Abi Roberts was also in attendance to present Young Sport Leader from Annan, Bradley Wilson, with his 50 hour Volunteer Saltire Award for his voluntary work
with the Active School and Community Sport Team.
