Sports stars head back to school

Sporting stars are trading in their arenas, tracks and pitches for the classroom - to teach pupils how to live, eat and think like champions.
Kirkintilloch High, netball star Claire Brownie was visiting as part of the Champions in Schools initiative.Kirkintilloch High, netball star Claire Brownie was visiting as part of the Champions in Schools initiative.
Kirkintilloch High, netball star Claire Brownie was visiting as part of the Champions in Schools initiative.

Pupils at Kirkintilloch High School were given a lesson in how to cook healthy food recently by Scottish Netball star Claire Brownie as part of the Champions in Schools programme.

In the coming months the scheme will see a stream of medal winners speak to pupils across East Dunbartonshire - including wrestler Kathryn Gallagher, Scottish rugby captain Alistair Kellock, Commonwealth badminton medallist Susan Egelstaff, gymnastics champ Barry Kowsarys, wrestler Sean Keogh and racing driver David Wagner.

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At the Kirkintilloch High event Glasgow-based Claire, who has captained the Scottish Thistles and Glasgow Wildcat team, showed pupils how to prepare healthy and nutritious Scottish beef steak fajitas.

The young people thoroughly enjoyed the activity and were encouraged to ask Claire questions about healthy eating, cooking and her netball career.

The Champions in Schools programme, run by the council and East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLC), aims to deliver a series of inspirational workshops on the topics of goal-setting, fitness and nutrition and winning attitudes.

Scott Hill, EDLC Trust chairman, said: “The Champions in Schools programme has been a great success so far, with many of East Dunbartonshire’s young people inspired by these dedicated sportsmen and women.

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“Claire Brownie’s cookery demonstration at Kirkintilloch High School was very well received and the pupils have come away with a better understanding of the importance of a balanced diet and how easy it is to prepare healthy, nutritious meals.”

Councillor Alan Moir, the council’s development and regeneration convener, added: “Champions in Schools is a fantastic programme funded by EDLC Trust in partnership with the council through the Active Schools programme.

“Active Schools aims to provide more and higher quality opportunities for pupils to participate in sport before, during and after school, helping to encourage our young people to take up physical exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices.

“By having champions visiting our schools our young people will be inspired by athletes who work hard, set and achieve goals and have a positive winning attitude.”