The sportscotland Scottish Sports Futures Awards 2020 celebrated a variety of winners who have helped young people change lives through sport.
The awards highlighted the power of sport as a tool for positive social change and celebrated the incredible commitment of the young people who engage in sport through Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) and those who have supported them throughout the year.
Inspiring Journey of the Year – Alexander Geddes
Alexander Geddes has been a shining light of the Glasgow Rocks squad this year on and off the court and exemplified what it means to be a professional sporting role model within the community. Having come through the Jump2it programme in his primary school, Alexander was inspired to take up participation in basketball, progressing to becoming a professional basketball player. Alex has now delivered key educational messages through the Jump2it programme which first introduced him to the sport, inspiring over 6000 young people.
Spirit of the Year – Nicola McDonald
As a strong role model and ambassador for accessibility and inclusion, Nicola has been recognised for her encouragement of others, enthusiasm and positive attitude. Nicola started as a modern apprentice with Active Stirling in 2015 and has now become an integral member of their team. She lives and breathes a person-centred approach and provides positive experiences for all who attend her unique and fun-filled classes. Nicola wants to make sport accessible for all young people and is planning local events for young carers and care-experienced young people.
School of the Year – Whitehill Secondary School
Whitehill Secondary School have been involved with Active East for the last year and have embraced the ‘Changing Lives Through Sport’ approach. The school continues to demonstrate a commitment to the development of young people, allowing young people to grow and develop as individuals. The success of Chance:2:Be would not be possible without the continued support from Whitehill Secondary.
Role model of the Year – Mark Gallacher
Since the Active East Chance:2:Be referral programme launched 18 months ago, Mark has been heavily involved in growing the programme and supporting the young people who come through it. Mark uses his own experiences to engage and connect with young people with challenging behaviours who were previously disengaged.
Aspiring Leader of the Year – Ryan McAulay
Ryan joined Active East through the Chance:2:Be programme in April 2018 and continues to amaze with his positive attitude and hard work. Ryan has taken more of a leadership role in his volunteering and is now a Wellbeing Ambassador delivering mental health workshops to other young people as well as volunteering every Friday night leading a basketball session – all less than one year after becoming an active champion himself. In addition to his volunteering Ryan has become a Jump2it schools coach where he supports roadshows and delivers coaching sessions to primary school children across Glasgow.
Young Coach of the Year – Holly Halferty
Holly runs dance sessions for young people in her community and has put in more than 100 hours of coaching as well as many more into planning, organising and promoting. Holly works hard to put the young people first, ensuring the sessions are fun and engaging, and continues to do all of this on a voluntary basis. She is an amazing role model to the young people and others in her community who wish to follow their passion and make something of it.
Partnership of the Year – Glasgow Kelvin College
Glasgow Kelvin College (GKC) continue to be a vital partner for SSF and the Education Through Cashback (ETC) programme in ‘Changing Lives Through Sport’. This year alone, the ETC programme has grown considerably and the team at GKC have worked tirelessly with SSF to ensure young people receive a formal SCQF accreditation for their hard work. More and more young people are achieving through the ETC programme and this would not be possible without GKC.
SSF Ambassador of the Year – Chloe Lawson
Chloe is the embodiment of what an SSF Ambassador should be and has become the driving force behind the Wellbeing Ambassador project among other SSF programmes. As a Wellbeing Ambassador she has been instrumental in leading the way with workshop content development, delivering workshops to nearly 700 young people in the past six months. Chloe has made an outstanding impact and she inspires people every day with her selfless attitude and dedication to hard work.
Event Champion of the Year – Caitlyn Ross
Caitlyn volunteers on a regular basis with Forth Valley Athletics Club, Forth Valley Disability Sport and Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). Throughout the past year Caitlyn has been a valuable member of the SDS Young People's Sport Panel and has become a role model to many others.
Ian Reid SSF Outstanding Achievement Award – Mohmed Alamien Adam
Mo moved to Scotland from Sudan five years ago. Having joined Active East’s Chance:2:Be programme in July 2019, Mo has taken every opportunity to develop and work towards a positive destination for himself. He has learnt English, completed a college course, taken part in training, volunteered at events and most recently volunteered at a work camp in Germany. Mo is hard-working with a never-say-no attitude and he is inspiring many people around him.
Find out more
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