It’s a family affair when it comes to delivering sport to young people in St Madoes, Perth and Kinross.
Brothers in law, Mark (54) and Nick (34) and their father-in-law, Jimmy (71) responded to a parent volunteer request from the local Active Schools Coordinator to deliver an after-schools club for their children/grandchildren and their friends who attend St Madoes Primary School.
The after-school club takes place every Thursday at the local Community Sport Hub, St Madoes Sports Hub (S.M.A.S.H). The trio all have experience in coaching football at various ages and run a blended club consisting of football and floorball. Nick is heavily involved in Floorball with his local club Perth Parrots and was keen to provide the local children the chance to try something new and hopefully feed into his club.
Nick said: “Volunteer parents gave their time to help us when we were younger, so we feel it’s important that parents give future generations a stepping stone to sport and the outdoors."
Mark retired as a Police officer just over a year ago. His son William (8) attends the school and he wanted to help support where he could.
He said: “I retired from the Police and didn’t want to rush into another job, so I looked to support the community and try to spend some more time with my family, as years of shift work prevented me in the past. I originally volunteered as a driver at the Maddoch centre assisting the elderly, before Nick told me the school had advertised for parent helpers for a football club."
“As Nick works off-shore and couldn’t commit all the time, he was able to persuade me and our father in law along to help out too!
“My son attends the school, so I seen this as a great opportunity to help out and spend more time with him. William was a bit hesitant at first about me running the sessions, but he seems fine with it now. I guess I can’t be that embarrassing!"
“It has been great to see him, alongside the other children, develop and it’s rewarding knowing you’re giving the kids some fun with their friends out with school hours. Even if it’s just getting them away from technology."
“I only give up about an hour of my week, but its great for Nick, Jimmy and I to come together and have some fun in the process.”
Active Schools Coordinator, Michelle Bruce said: “I think it's fantastic to see a family volunteering their time to deliver to the local children. Especially more so because they all work together to ensure there is always someone there to cover the club and cancelling isn't an option. I remember all the volunteer coaches who delivered sport to me while I was at school and I'm sure Nick, Mark and James will have the same impact on the children of St Madoes.”