Category Archives: Active

Active, athletes, Sport, Team Scotland

GLASGOW 2014 MEDALLISTS PAY AN INSPIRATIONAL VISIT TO SOUTH LANARKSHIRE SCHOOL

 Commonwealth Games gold medallists Kimberley and Louise Renicks were at St Mary’s Primary School in Hamilton today as part of a series of athletes’ school visits which are taking place across the country until the end of the year.

Through Game on Scotland, a Legacy 2014 programme delivered by a partnership between the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Glasgow 2014 and Glasgow City Council, schools the length and breadth of Scotland have been applying for the chance to receive a visit from one of Team Scotland’s athletes.

The initiative, funded by the Scottish Government, will give pupils a valuable insight into the life of a professional athlete, providing inspiration for all aspects of their lives with focus on the importance of personal qualities such as discipline, determination, aspiration and sportsmanship.

Sixty schools in Scotland are benefitting from a visit, with athletes including Steph Inglis (Judo), Sean Docherty (table tennis), Lee Craigie (mountain biking) and Vikki Bounce (hockey)  already confirmed.

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for the Commonwealth Games and Sport, said: “Game On Scotland, run by Education Scotland, has been a massive success, using the Commonwealth Games as a context for learning across the curriculum with over 250,000 pupils in Scotland connected with the programme.

“It is brilliant to see the legacy of Glasgow 2014 being extended for learners in such an interactive way and I hope the athletes’ visits will provide yet more exciting memories for the pupils to cherish.”

Klaus Mayer, development officer at Education Scotland, said: Building on the overwhelming success of the Commonwealth Games and the learning experiences young people have been enriched with as a result, Game On Scotland now aims to provide opportunities to continue its legacy.  Through the visit programme athletes and young people can share their visions for the future and inspire each other to be the best they can be whatever the context.  

Louise Renicks said: “Kimberley and I feel privileged to be able to share our experiences as athletes with learners through the Game On Scotland visits programme.  We believe as role models we can inspire young people to be the best they can be in life, no matter what their circumstances, preferences or abilities. We really enjoy contributing to the learning experiences in schools by sharing our skills, talking about failure and success and discipline as well as promoting values such as fairness and sportsmanship. ”

Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, said: “The success of Glasgow 2014 has provided a great opportunity for a whole host of agencies to use the positive images of sport and physical activity from Glasgow 2014 to inspire young people and others to engage in sport. Visits to local schools and sports clubs by athletes from Team Scotland are highly motivational and South Lanarkshire welcome any opportunity to get involved in such visits”

Active, athletes, Games Legacy, SLF 2014, Uncategorized

Game On Scotland at the SLF 2014

Join us at this year’s Scottish Learning Festival to reflect on the benefits the education programme delivered, discuss its legacy components and the potential long term impact.  Gold medallist Louise and Kimberley Renicks will join us to talk about their remarkable achievements and the experiences with the Game On Scotland athlete visits programme.

Seminar: The educational impact of the 2014 Commonwealth Games ( Wed, 24 Sept @9.30am, Alsh 1)

This seminar will showcase the breadth and depth learning experiences provided by schools across Scotland and beyond through Game On Scotland, the official education programme for the Commonwealth Games. Supported by speakers that were at heart of the Games and its education programme, this session will recall some of the most exciting initiatives schools have been involved in around the Commonwealth Games and highlight the success of key partner programmes at the same time. The seminar will examine the impact of the education programme to date and allow discussion around the educational legacy of the Games.

Presenters: Klaus Mayer (Education Scotland), Steven Kidd (Education Manager, Glasgow 2014)

Sign up to our seminar here (Wed. 24 Sept – 9.30, Alsh 1)

Conversation session, Area A( Wed. 24 Sept @12 noon, main exhibition area )

Speak to a number of teachers, athletes and programme managers involved with Game On Scotland to find out more about the legacy plans and follow-on projects in the wake of the ‘most successful Games ever’.

Keynote seminar: “We all need good role models” (Thursday, 25 Sept, 11.15am, Lomond Auditorium)

Join Sir Bill Gammel (Chairmand and Co-Founder of of the Winning Scotland Foundation) and the Health and Wellbeing team from Education Scotland to discuss the impact good role models can have on children and young people. Learning in health and wellbeing ensures that children and young people develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future.

Sign up for the seminar here.

Related keynote: Sport’s learning edge at 2014, Wed.24 Sept.,  12.30

Frank Dick, former British Athletics Federation’s Director of Coaching, is delivering a keynote at this year’s Scottish Learning Festival. Focussing on sport’s learning edge Frank will talk about the importance of leadership, the balance between challenge and support and how getting this right equips young people with relevant skills and experience.

Find our more about this seminar and sign up here

Active, Culture 2014, Early Years, Game On Challenge, Games Legacy, Glasgow 2014, Uncategorized

spotlight on 990

On your marks.....
Andergrove State School, Queensland Australia were the 990th school to share their Commonwealth Story by registering their challenge with Game On Scotland. Judy Corbett shared with us how her prep class of 5 year olds are fascinated to know that whilst they were sleeping, folks here in Scotland were wide awake and athletes were competing in the myriad of sports involved in the games.

With a number of weeks to go until the end of their school term, Andergrove youngsters are engaged in a good natured battle to collect stickers in their own bid for Gold. To gain a sticker, youngsters have to overcome a number of challenges including a series of races and learning activities. Clyde has featured heavily in activities, especially in science activities where the children are learning about living things.

Andergrove were delighted to discover that they were 990…..now the race is on for the big 1,000 – watch this space!

Active, Culture 2014, event, Glasgow 2014

News update: Glasgow 2014

Céilidh Còmhla
Tonight (Thursday 3rd July), 6pm – 8pm
Barras Art and Design, 54 Calton Entry, Glasgow, G40 2SB
FREE

Gather with Scotland’s refugee communities to re-imagine the traditional Scottish Céilidh and discover what ‘welcome’ means in Scotland today, with music, dance and song. Please see attached flyer for more details.

To reserve your place please contact suzi.simpson@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk  / 0141 223 7939

Dance opportunity for young people in the North East

Aberdeen International Youth Festival are looking to recruit young people from across the North-East, with varying levels of experience, who will work with internationally renowned choreographer and community dance leader Royston Maldoom, former Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre Tamara McLorg, and selected Scottish dance artists. You will then work intensively for a fortnight to create a new dance piece and perform at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen. You’ll also be part of a commissioned documentary film.
Must be available on July 7 to 11, and July 14 to 20, 2014. Performances are on 20 July at 5pm and 7.30pm.
The deadline to sign up is today (Thursday 3 July). .

The Glasgow Gurdwara – Community Celebrations

The Glasgow Gurdwara, Scotland’s premier Sikh centre, welcomes you to be a part of their Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games programme running in July. Please see invite attached for more details.Invitation Glasgow Sikh Community Welcomes Commonwealth Family

Assistive Technology

Glasgow 2014 aspires to make the XX Commonwealth Games experience as accessible and inclusive as possible. To help achieve this, various forms of assistive technology will be provided across many venues, including audio description commentary and hearing enhancement technology.

Find out what is available at each venue and how to book here.

The Queen’s Baton Relay

Residents of Moray will today, Thursday 3 July, welcome the Queen’s Baton as it travels through the local authority during its journey across the length and breadth of Scotland, with a range of extraordinary batonbearers preparing to take part in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games’ Queen’s Baton Relay.

The Queen’s Baton will begin its journey through Moray in Buckie, and will travel across the full expanse of the local authority, passing through towns and villages including Cullen, Fochabers, Lossiemouth, Kinloss, Forres and Elgin. Tomorrow the baton will travel through Perth & Kinross, starting with a free community Breakfast in Rothes.

Find out where you can join in here.

The Digital Commonwealth Project

The ambition of the Digital Commonwealth project is to enhance the capacity of individuals and groups to use freely available mobile digital (and social) media tools and techniques to ensure their voices are heard in a saturated (and often commercially) motivated media landscape. The Digital Commonwealth team have been busy reporting on events around the Queen’s Baton Relay and will be doing some more work with communities throughout Scotland.

Find out more and visit the website here.

Special £10.00 ticket offer!

Glasgow’s Hampden Park welcomes 47 Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions this weekend for the prestigious IAAF Diamond League event, bringing together the best athletic field ever seen in Scotland. The event will guarantee to get your heart racing with show-stopping performances on the track and field.

As a Glasgow 2014 supporter you can take advantage of a fantastic £10.00 ticket offer! Watch the double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah return to the track along with the likes of Christine Ohuruogu, Greg Rutherford, Yohan Blake, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, David Rudisha and home favourites Eilidh Child, Eilish McColgan, Lynsey Sharp, Laura Muir and Chris O’Hare.

Get your tickets now here

Active, Culture 2014

Dance Opportunity in North East

Get Scotland Dancing logoDance opportunity for young people in the North East: The Four Seasons

We’d like to make you aware of this fantastic and free opportunity; Aberdeen International Youth Festival are looking to recruit young people from across the North-East, with varying levels of experience, who will work with internationally renowned choreographer and community dance leader Royston Maldoom, former Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre Tamara McLorg, and selected Scottish dance artists. The project takes place in the summer holidays leading up to a performance on 20 July in Aberdeen.

To find out more information and to apply, click here. Deadline 3rd July 2014.

Educational resources, Equality and Inclusion, event, Games Legacy, International partnerships, Sport

Spotlight on Australia

Game on Scotland is supporting youngsters across the globe as they explore learning inspired by the XX Commonwealth Games.

In New South Wales there is a real spotlight on Health and Wellbeing. 1st Oak Park Joey Scouts and ensuring youngsters start as they mean to go on by exploring why exercise and healthy diet are important. Knoxfield Primary, Melbourne continue with the Healthy theme, setting themselves a Healthy Eating challenge.  They will also focus on the challenges of countries across the Commonwealth – both the challenges they face within individual countries as well as the challenge to enter a team of athletes to participate in Games events.  Students in Monash Special Developmental School are playing the different Commonwealth sports and St Philip’s Community School are running a two week themed event which has a range of sporting events as well as crafts and afternoon tea – sounds lovely.

In Western Australia Year 1 students are learning about other cultures and developing a greater awareness of tolerance and understanding. By focusing on Commonwealth countries, students can begin to appreciate opportunities available across the world, how they themselves fit into this and how they can use this purposefully as they grow and learn.

In South Australia over 400 students in Risdon Park Primary are buddying up to compete in a Commonwealth Sporting extravaganza. Each class will also research and study a Commonwealth country and share their learning at an assembly. Over in Blackfriars Priory School, there has been an explosion of “Spud-letes”. We were intrigued by the Spud-letes (athletes made from potato). Students are busy creating their Spud-lete, putting together their profile, autobiography, vital statistics etc. Spud-lete’s will represent different Commonwealth countries across a range of events – “Spud-put”, “Spud-vault”. Students will then measure, record and display results alongside their Commonwealth Country statistics and information. Here at Education Scotland we can’t wait to see pictures of the Spud-letic Games, and we will share these with you!

As you might expect, schools in the Queensland area are beginning to get excited about the XX Commonwealth Games and the prospect of them being handed over to GOLD Coast Organising Committee in a few short weeks.

Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment are already exploring ways in which they can best support students to learn more about the culture, customs and people across the Commonwealth. Their eLearning platform Scootle is already filling up with resources, learning ideas and competitions all aimed at helping students embrace cultural studies of the Commonwealth and develop local community partnerships.

Musgrave Hill and Park Lake State Schools are already hard at work in digital design of a mascot that they hope will be photographed across the Commonwealth. They are keen to compare the view from their own school with those of others across the Commonwealth, discovering similarities and celebrating differences in lifestyle and location. Year 5 students in Bounty Boulevard State School have a 100 days of learning Diary Challenge using the Kids Journal App for iPad. Stories will be shared with buddies in the upper school as well as North Lakes elderly community – where it is hoped students will gain some interesting tales of days gone by. Up on the Sunshine Coast, Glasshouse Country Christian College are holding an Athletics Carnival showcasing a range of Commonwealth events. In preparation for this, students will keep a journal of their training efforts and accomplishments.

Finally, Year 4 students at Mudgeerabab Creek State School have been set a challenge to design a drink bottle suitable for an athlete to use. The bottle needs to be suitable for a range of sports with youngsters drawing on their scientific knowledge of both natural and processed materials in a bid to identify the best option for their bottle. Prototypes will be put to the test during Mudgeeraba Creek’s own Commonwealth Games event as students compete over a range of sporting events.

Wow! We are excited reading about all the interesting activities planned in Australia over the next few weeks and months in celebration of the Games. We are sure that this is the first rung on the exciting ladder leading up to the XXI Commonwealth Games 2018 in Queensland – now less than 3,800 days away!

Active, Games Legacy, partnership

Commonwealth Games Legacy Week

Initiatives such as engineering, environment and educational projects delivering lasting benefits from Scotland hosting the Commonwealth Games will be celebrated during the second dedicated Legacy Week (9-13 June).

With less than 50 days to go and organisers confident of delivering the greatest ever Games, the nationwide focus on the Games’ wider benefits includes a Legacy 2014 Celebration Event at the Murrayfield Stadium (10 June).

150 people from across Scotland will join Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games Shona Robison; Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg; Michael Cavanagh, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman; and Glasgow City Council’s Councillor Archie Graham to celebrate the achievements of over 50 national Legacy programmes, plus the input from all local authorities in creating a sustainable legacy Scotland wide.

Compered by cyclist and broadcaster Mark Beaumont, the event will include a performance of the ‘Let The Games Begin’, the Glasgow Games’ single by East 40 benefitting one of the Games’ official charity partners, UNICEF.

Legacy Week is a partnership between the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow 2014, ahead of the Queen’s Baton Relay arriving in Scotland on 14 June.

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said: “The Scottish Government and partners are committed to delivering a positive and lasting legacy from hosting the Games.

“This Legacy Week is another opportunity to promote the successful work which is well underway across the country, ensuring that Glasgow 2014 is about much more than 11 days of scintillating sport, but a catalyst for regeneration and economic growth.

“Our ambition is now to turn a good legacy into a great legacy, securing Scotland’s reputation worldwide as one of the frontrunners in delivering nationwide benefits from hosting a major sporting event.”

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said: “Glasgow 2014 and its Games Partners, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, firmly believe that legacy doesn’t just happen to you, it happens by you getting involved and making things happen.
 
“The legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is already apparent and many people are benefitting from the Games by participating in a broad range of successful projects, some of which will be highlighted during this coming week.
 
“Our vision is to create a world-class stage for the elite athletes of the Commonwealth, generate enormous pride in Glasgow and Scotland, and leave a lasting legacy.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: “We are just a few weeks away from hosting the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Scotland.

“Legacy Week is a great opportunity for people to find out about the work we’re doing across the city to make sure there is a lasting benefit from the Games.
 
“Glasgow’s preparations for the Games have already left the city better off economically, environmentally and socially. 

“Many of our legacy ambitions have already been delivered such as jobs, apprenticeship and training places for our young people through the council’s ground-breaking £50 million Glasgow Guarantee. 

“All our venues have been built, opened and in use well in advance of the Games.
 
“We want to make sure no one is left behind and Legacy Week is an ideal opportunity to highlight what  communities and groups are doing to make sure they can make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Mike Hooper, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation is pleased to note the success of the Games Partners to date in ensuring a lasting legacy from Glasgow 2014.

“Indeed the CGF’s Co-ordination Commission has formally congratulated those involved and called it a ‘blueprint for future Games’ in its report on progress towards delivering an outstanding Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.”

There are over 50 Legacy 2014 national programmes delivered by national partners and more than 70 supporting Legacy 2014 projects in place across Scotland, generating jobs and training opportunities, investing in new or upgraded community facilities, helping people to get more active, and inspiring fun learning opportunities and new global connections.

Glasgow City Council has its own legacy plan and suite of programmes to deliver a sustainable legacy at Glasgow level.

Community Sport Hubs, Game On Scotland, the official education programme for the Games, and the PE Disability Inclusion Training Programme are among those national programmes highlighted during the Murrayfield celebration event. Speakers will include: Scottish Enterprise’s 2014 Director Linda Murray; the founder of Street Soccer Scotland, David Duke; Clyde Gateway CEO, Ian Manson; and Young Scot Youth Legacy Ambassadors.

There are many ways in which people can still get involved in the legacy of the Games. Organisations can apply for Active Places Funding, Community Sport Hubs are available across the country, and people can take part in Games for Scotland and enjoy the events being hosted as part of the nationwide Culture 2014 programme.

athletes, Equality and Inclusion, Glasgow 2014, Glow Meet, Queen's Baton Relay, Sport

Exclusively on Glow: The Athletes, Games and Queen’s Baton

Over the next 3 weeks Game On Scotland is delighted to be able to present you with an exciting series of Glow Meets for learners to hear from top Scottish athletes and post their questions to them.
These sessions will include athletes such as Colin Gregor (Rugby 7s Captain), Eilish McColgan (athletics), Meggan Dawson-Farrell (wheelchair racer) as well as presenter and adventurer, Mark Beaumont.

Joining the first session tomorrow may also win you a Clyde Doll. The best question posted will be selected as the winner.

The following sessions will be on offer:

 Meet the Athletes 1:   Sport in a Global Context
4 June, 10.00 am
Register:  bit.ly/1oBejJF  

Join Colin Gregor, captain of the Rugby 7s Team, Audrey McIntosh, the first Scot to complete an Antarctic marathon and 100k run in just 3 days as well as Angie Malone, British Wheelchair Curling team and Bronze medal winner from Sochi 2014, to hear about their extraordinary achievements as well as their views on global issues such as gender equality and inclusion.

This session will be followed by:

Athletes Challenge Global Issues – Workshop
4 June,  11.00 am
Register: bit.ly/1mxSGVQ

Learners from St Blane’s Primary in Blantyre will begin the workshop by presenting their findings from research carried out on tribal conflict in Rwanda and sectarianism in Scotland. The presenting group will be taking questions from the Glow audience and posing a some questions of their own to challenge learners participating on Glow. Leaners will provide an opportunity to get involved in a comparative discussing focused on tribal conflict in Rwanda and sectarianism in Scotland.

Meet the Athletes 2: Preparing for the Games
9 June,  11.00 am
Register: http://bit.ly/meettheathletes1

Eilish McColgan (3000m steeplechase), Ailsa Wylie (hockey striker), Meggan Dawson-Farrell (wheelchair racer) and Sean Docherty (table tennis) will share their excitement about the Games with you and tell you what it takes to be at the top of your game. They are looking forward to meet you and answer the questions you may have for them live on Glow. See you all on the 9th June!

Mark Beaumont presents: The Queens Baton Relay!
16 June, 11.00 am
Register: http://bit.ly/queensbaton

This exclusive session will be presented live by Mark Beaumont from a school in Midlothian. Mark will share his rich experiences following the baton around all the 70 nations and territories and answer your questions as we go along. He will also introduce you to some special guests joining him that morning. This session is one you don’t want to miss!

The Team behind the Games: Meet the Glasgow 2014 Staff
20 June,  11.00 am
Register: http://bit.ly/glasgow2014staff

This is your chance to find out about the people who are involved in the organisation and running of the Games. You will receive insider information about a variety of aspects from the Games creators and be able to ask them the question only they will be able to answer.
Game On!

Your
Game On Scotland Team

athletes, Educational resources, Glasgow 2014, Sport

Support Your Favourite Athlete – Download Team Scotland Posters For Free!

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GoScotland_EilidhChild
Back in January with 200 days to go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) released a new set of athlete images depicting ‘ones to watch’. Such has been their popularity that CGS has made them available as posters to download free of charge so you can get to know some of the faces of Team Scotland who will be representing us in Glasgow this summer.

Download the posters now at www.goscotland.org/download-posters-2

The 11 photos have been taken at iconic locations around Scotland, with some of Team Scotland’s prospective team members and medal hopefuls.

The strong common theme of the photos is ‘Proud’ and is a clear demonstration of what it means for athletes from across the length and breadth of the country to represent Team Scotland in Glasgow next summer.

The fabulous and striking images have been created by Glasgow photographers Alistair Devine and Stuart Gray and build on the set of images shot at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and launched in April 2013 to mark the start of the athlete selection period (access those posters here).

Calling for the Scottish public to get behind the team, as they start the final leg of their journey to the Games, 400m hurdler Eilidh Child said: “These amazing photos show just how much it means to all of the athletes to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games this year.

“It was a real privilege to have been chosen as one of the athletes to take part in the project. I hope they inspire everyone to cheer us on all the way and I for one am determined to do Scotland proud next summer at Hampden Park.”

From Eilean Donan Castle at Kyle of Lochalsh to the beaches of Carnoustie and Edinburgh Castle and Forth Rail Bridge the images depict the magic that Scotland has to offer as a place to live, work, visit and of course host major sporting events. The Falkirk Wheel and the Wallace Monument are also featured, with aim to make the whole of Scotland feel part of the Games.

Glasgow based images showcase a number of the Games competition venues in Kelvingrove, Hampden Park and the stunning new SSE Hydro, whilst the cranes of the BAE Systems shipyard at Govan on the Clyde remind us of our strong industrial heritage and technological innovation.

The images will be used throughout Team Scotland’s back the team campaign – ‘Go Scotland!’

Photo list:
Athletics – Eilidh Child, Hampden Park, Glasgow
Para-Sport Athletics – Meggan Dawson-Farrell, Falkirk Wheel
Badminton – Imogen Bankier, Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh
Boxing – Josh Taylor, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Cycling – Katie Archibald, Forth Rail Bridge, North Queensferry
Gymnastics – Dan Purvis, SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Judo – Euan Burton, Wallace Monument, Stirling
Lawn Bowls – Alex Marshall MBE, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow
Shooting – Shona Marshall, Carnoustie
Para-Sport Powerlifting – Micky Yule, BAE Systems, Govan, Glasgow

Images for the remaining eight sports will be released shortly.

You can find out more about Team Scotland on the Game On Scotland website.

Active, Glow Meet, H&W, Sport

Meet the athletes….

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On 15 May, school pupils from across Scotland will be inspired to ‘be their personal best’ by meeting and learning from dozens of Scotland’s top athletes, including Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.

Two world-famous Scottish sporting heroes will also be revealed and will take part on the day!

Through a series of workshops, the event aims to inspire young people to be successful in life and show them that everyone has it in them to succeed. The athletes will help the pupils understand how to learn through failure and how success comes from sustained effort.

No matter who you are, where you’re from or what you’re good at, everyone has it in them to be their personal best.

The session will include the following components:

9.30 – 10.00:  Meet the Athletes – Introduction

10.35 – 11.10: “Success through effort” – an active workshop session

11.20 – 11.50:  “Athlete Lounge” – Q&A session with an exclusive slot for Glow participants

Register for or join this unique Glow Meet here.