As Active Schools celebrates it’s 20-year anniversary, one of the many success stories it can proudly claim is that of Amiee Alexander. From joining a gymnastics club in her local primary school - to becoming a full-time Active Schools Coordinator (ASC) - Amiee's journey is a testament to the lasting impact of the Active Schools programme.
In the beginning
Amiee's first memory of Active Schools was in her primary school days back in 2004, when the local gymnastics club began to offer an after-school program. "I enjoyed that a lot. It led me to join the local gymnastics club and it grew from there", Amiee remembers. The next milestone Amiee can remember in her journey came in her third year of secondary school, where she had the chance to step into a leadership role for the very first time.
“In 2007, I was asked to be involved in a new program where I led dance sessions at a local primary school. This first leadership experience was followed by even more opportunities through the Sports Leader UK Dance Leader course.”
Soon, Amiee was leading after-school dance sessions and helping to develop the Greenwood Dance Show, a local showcase for primary school students. "I loved being part of the Greenwood Dance Show. It was fantastic to see all the local primary schools come together to perform." This laid the foundation for Amiee's long-term involvement in Active Schools - and ignited her passion to provide similar opportunities for young people in her local area.
Growing as a Leader and a Young Ambassador
In her final years of secondary school Amiee joined the Active Schools Committee, which helped to broaden her skill set beyond dance. This was quickly followed by her selection as a Young Ambassador in 2011, which became a pivotal role for her. “I was one of the first Young Ambassadors, and attending the conference in Ratho was such a memorable experience for me. The role involved visiting schools, mentoring other leaders, and even organizing a North Ayrshire Torch Relay to promote the Olympic and Paralympic values.”
Building on previous experience, Amiee went on to study Sports Coaching and Development at James Watt College. However, her passion for, Active Schools never diminished, remaining involved during her time there. "Most days, I was still at the school delivering sport" Amiee added.
This commitment was recognised and rewarded in 2012, when she secured a job with Coca-Cola at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, another major highlight in her journey. However, upon her return, Amiee returned to Active Schools, becaming a Youth Legacy Ambassador for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, leading projects such as the Legacy Wishes Project.
In 2015, after completing her degree in Sports Development at the University of the West of Scotland, Amiee became a full-time Active School’s Coordinator within the South Ayrshire council area.
"I am now the Developing Young Workforce Coordinator, and I love it! Being able to give young people the same opportunities that I had has been amazing.”
Amiee attributes much of her professional success to her early involvement in Active Schools. “Being a young leader and volunteer helped me develop crucial skills such as organization and event management. Having a clear understanding of Active Schools allowed me to bring new ideas to my team and the wider community." she says, explaining how the program prepared her for future work.
