Pupils from Fortrose Academy scored with a coaching session from John Robertson, Scott McDonald and Billy Dodds in a new initiative led by sportscotland and BBC Scotland.
The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager and the former Old Firm heroes were welcomed by Fortrose Academy pupils for a professional coaching experience to highlight the importance of sport within the school’s curriculum.
Around 45 boys and girls from S1-S6 attended the training session at the school as the coaches gave the pupils hints and tips as well as sharing tales from their experiences in football in the hope of encouraging the younger generation to take up the sport.
Fortrose Academy continue to put sport at the heart of the school ethos and pupils and staff were rewarded for their efforts recently when they were awarded a Gold sportscotland School Sport Award for the second time.
Commenting on the training session, John Robertson said: “It’s been a great experience to get involved in coaching the pupils at Fortrose Academy. I’ve seen plenty of talent, which is great to see, but the other thing that stands out is their enthusiasm for football.
“It’s really positive for me to be here and see first-hand the commitment and passion the pupils and the school have for sport, and it really has been a pleasure to be part of it.”
The pupils were also given an insight into the important role of sport in the media as the leading BBC Scotland radio programme, Sportsound, broadcasted its evening programme from the school with the coaches for the day sitting on the panel.
Pupils, parents and staff took part in a question-and-answer session with the sporting personalities live on air, asking about their career highlights as well as discussing Scotland’s sporting landscape.
Muir Morton, faculty head of health at Fortrose Academy, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with sportscotland and BBC Scotland to give our pupils this exciting opportunity to celebrate sport.
“Hosting the radio programme in the school and having such a high level of coaches here gives us a chance to create memorable experiences for our young people.
"We hope this is something they will remember for years to come.”
sportscotland is building a world-class sporting system and is working in partnership with BBC Scotland to raise the profile of sport across the country. As part of this initiative, the BBC will be taking Sportsound on the road with the help of sportscotland to give young people a memorable experience whilst engaging in sport.
Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: “At sportscotland, putting young people at the centre of our efforts is a crucial part of what we do.
"Working in partnership with colleagues at the BBC, we hope to raise awareness of sport and the openings that are available. It’s fantastic that the pupils at Fortrose Academy had the chance to train with players and coaches who have performed at the very highest level.
“Through our Active Schools, School Sport Awards and Young Ambassadors programmes, we hope to create closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part in sport.”
Find out more
About the sportscotland School Sport Awards
