As part of providing exciting learning opportunities around the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Game On Scotland is delighted to announce that we are able to offer 100 education establishments across Scotland the chance to receive a visit by a Scottish athlete in the run up to the Games.

What might an athlete’s visit look like?

The format of each visit will be negotiated between the individual athlete and the school, but may include the following:

• Whole school/year group assemblies: The athlete may participate in assemblies by providing the inspirational address for the day (eg. share their story, provide a key message, support a Commonwealth themed event, hand out awards such as the Game On Scotland Plaque)
• Focus group input: This may involve an athlete visiting a specific class, target group (eg. school ambassadors or senior coaching classes) sharing his or her experiences and engaging in a question and answer session.
• Active engagement: This provides an opportunity to share some of the expertise of athletes in their distinct area and may involve coaching sessions, skills development or offering taster sessions.

All visits will be arranged on a one-off basis. For more in depth athlete engagements please see the Champions in Schools programme.  However we aim to match athletes to education establishments within their reasonable travel distance to allow for the possibility of longer term educational partnerships.

When will the visits take place?

Visits will take place from the end of March until the end of June. The closing date for the first round of application is the 21 March and for this round visits will be allocated on a ‘first come-first serve’ basis. A second round will become available soon thereafter.

How to enter:

All education establishments in Scotland who have posted a Game On Challenge are eligible to enter a prize draw to receive a visit by a Scottish athlete, though secondary schools will receive priority.

To apply for a visit simply complete this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SW93KDZ

Are there any costs involved?

There is no cost to any school which participates, other than any costs resulting from individual programme arrangements (e.g. athlete lunch). Such costs will have to be covered by the participating education establishment.

Can I request a specific athlete/focus sport?

The aim of this initiative is to provide inspiration and generic insight into the life and work of a professional athlete. Much of the input will focus on a wider skills agenda and generic dispositions or values (eg. determination, aspiration, fairness and sportsmanship). We will not be able to guarantee visits by specific athletes from a particular sport, however we will take a school’s particular sporting interests into account when matching athletes.