Children from Clepington Primary with the coaches

International aid

Dundee primary school pupils net coaching session with Scotland stars

Pupils from Clepington Primary School in Dundee hit the back of the net with a coaching session from a host of leading Scottish footballers thanks to a partnership between sportscotland and BBC Scotland.

New Dundee signing and former Celtic, Rangers and Scotland striker Kenny Miller was joined by Dundee coach James McPake, Glasgow City and Scotland star Leanne Crichton, Dundee United players Christoph Rabitsch and Rachid Bouhenna and community coach Paul Wilson at the session, which highlighted the importance of sport in the school curriculum.

More than 50 boys and girls were put through their paces by the players, who gave the youngsters some hints and tips and shared some of their experiences in football in the hope of encouraging younger generations to take up the sport.

Kenny Miller said: “It’s great to be at the school and to see how much the children love football.

"Seeing the effort they put in during the coaching session and knowing how much fun they’re having makes it really worthwhile. Hopefully they’ll keep playing and enjoying football for years to come.”

Kenny Miller high fives a young player

The pupils were also given an insight into the important role of sport in the media as BBC Scotland aired their evening radio show Sportsound from the school.

The panel was hosted by BBC Scotland’s David Currie, who was joined by Kenny Miller, Leanne Crichton, former Dundee United manager Peter Houston and BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English.

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.

Gold school

Clepington Primary School holds the sportscotland Gold School Sport Award, a prestigious national award that recognises innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extra-curricular sport.

Shona Brownlee, Principal of Clepington Primary school, said: “We’re really pleased 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 is a great way to reach out to our community and working together to bring this coaching experience to our pupils and the chance to get involved in a live radio broadcast is something the children 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 is taking Sportsound on the road with the help of sportscotland to give young people a memorable experience whilst engaging in sport.

Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, 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 the awareness of sport and the openings that are available. It’s fantastic that the pupils at Clepington Primary had the chance to train with players who have performed at the very highest level.

“Through our Active Schools, School Sport Awards and Young Ambassador programmes, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport which benefit young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part.”

Find out more

About the sportscotland School Sport Award.

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