Secondary school pupils from across Aberdeen joined forces for a dynamic leadership training day, delivered in partnership by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools and the Denis Law Legacy Trust.
Held recently at Hazlehead Primary School, the training brought together 14 volunteers aged between 14 to 17 who support Streetsport, the Denis Law Legacy Trust’s flagship programme delivered in partnership with Robert Gordon University. The programme delivers daily free to access sports and creative activity sessions for young people.
The training day marked the first leadership course delivered jointly by Active Schools and Denis Law Legacy Trust a partnership designed to strengthen volunteering pathways for young people.
The course focused on confidence building across key areas of volunteering and leadership including working with children and young people, communication, officiating, understanding behaviour, and recognising the wider benefits of sport.
The pupils gathered from schools across Aberdeen including Lochside Academy, Harlaw Academy, Northfield Academy and St Machar Academy. Through a mix of interactive activities, team challenges and practical learning, the group explored ways to create fun, engaging activities for younger participants and practiced planning and running games as part of the learning process. The event also represented the first step toward completing Active Schools’ Bronze Leadership Award.
Feedback from all who took part was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% voting to attend similar training in the future.
Wendy Carrick, Active Schools Coordinator at Sport Aberdeen, said, “It was fantastic to bring together young people from across the city thanks to our partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust. Together, we are passionate about creating opportunities for students to develop confidence, leadership skills and a lifelong connection with sport and physical activity.”
Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer at the Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “This year, as Streetsport celebrates two decades of supporting young people, we’re seeing more young volunteers than ever before.
“Our recent collaboration with Sport Aberdeen and their Active Schools programme has strengthened this even further, blending their expertise with our community‑driven approach. By working together, we’re able to give young people the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need, whether they volunteer through Active Schools, Streetsport, or within their own communities.
“This partnership is helping to build stronger pathways for future sport leaders and supporting young people to continue growing in their volunteering journey.”
The leadership programme forms part of a wider city-wide volunteering initiative designed for academy age pupils (S1–S6) to develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills while gaining valuable experience supporting sport and physical activity. The programme is also linked with alternative entry into a range of sport and fitness courses and uniformed services courses at NESCol.
Young people can track volunteering hours through a range of opportunities including Active Schools clubs and festivals, Streetsport sessions and community-based projects. Those who complete the programme can progress through Bronze, Silver and Gold leadership awards, with an annual awards evening recognising achievement.
All Active Schools Coordinators across Aberdeen can deliver the training modules, allowing young people from schools across the city to take part and continue their leadership journey.
For more on Active Schools visit www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/activities/active-schools
For more on Streetsport visit www.denislawlegacytrust.org/streetsport