Inverness Leisure scheme creates new athletics demand
Issued by Inverness Leisure
Inverness Leisure is now welcoming hundreds of primary school age children into its athletics development programme for primary school children on Queens Park Stadium.
The team at Inverness Leisure have picked up the scheme which was originally piloted in partnership with the National Playing Fields Association (now Fields in Trust) back in 2004 when it offered access to Primary One children interested in trying to run on the “big track”.
The original scheme was coached by Colin Baillie and offered a 45 minute session that was a mixture of athletics skills, running and activities – but most of all the sessions were fun.
Colin Baillie, who has remained as Head Coach for the scheme since it started at Inverness Leisure, seven years ago said, “Following the pilot scheme, Inverness Leisure were keen to keep the children involved and asked me to stay on to not only continue to the pilot but to develop it as well.
“The scheme continues to attract a huge number of children, and the fact it is included in the High Life membership scheme just makes it all the more appealing for families to get their youngsters involved in sport and athletics.
“We currently have classes for each of the first three primaries, but have developed it to include a combined P4 and P5 class as well which again has proved so popular we have a waiting list.
Speaking about the success of the programme which is now feeding the Inverness Harriers athletics club who are based at Queens Park, the Head Coach went on, “Having been involved with Inverness Harriers for many years, I understand that they are reaping the benefits of the Inverness Leisure scheme as many young athletes are now being fed to the club having started with me at the centre’s activity programme.
“I am absolutely delighted about this as some of them have already progressed and are now wearing the Scottish vest and are top ranking in a few of the track events. The fact the scheme has now integrated Primary six and sevens in the last year means we are offering athletics coaching provision right the way through primary school.
“We have been delighted to welcome Julie Wyatt, Athletics Development Officer to see some of the sessions in action and I think we really impressed her with our work. I know I may be slightly biased, but I seriously think this can be the only scheme of its kind in Scotland”, he concluded.
James Martin, General Manager at Inverness Leisure spoke very positively of the scheme stating, “The work that Colin and other coaches are doing with the primary athletics programme is absolutely fantastic. You only have to watch those taking part to see just how much they enjoy it.
“The scheme has further enhanced our relationship with Inverness Harriers as we all work closely to improve the scheme. We effectively start the children off and then we hand them over to the Harriers to take them to the next level, which as Colin has pointed out is already paying off for some of our young internationalists.
“The fact the children have a chance to train on the newly refurbished athletics track is really great and part of the reason for the investment. However, the great thing is that having a dry-weather alternative at the leisure centre means that the children get to take part in some level of activity no matter what the weather.
The facility manager concluded, “Inverness Leisure is extremely lucky to have someone of Colin Baillie’s experience as part of our team and we are looking forward to working so that we can take the scheme forward in the future.
“I genuinely believe the template set up at Inverness Leisure by Colin and the other Coaches could be used as best practice for primary school athletics throughout Scotland.”