Published: Thursday, 25th October, 2007 09:00
Hibs giving kids a great kick start
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TEN Tranent school kids will spend the next three months learning about life with a little help from professional footballers from Hibs.
The Kick Start programme, launched on Tuesday at Tranent’s Recharge Centre, aims to “help children re-engage with education and employment”.
Using football as “the hook”, the pupils, all in S2 at Ross High School, will spend the next 12 weeks learning valuable life skills that can be applied both in the classroom and on the pitch.
The school’s principal teacher support Derek McCallum told the Courier: “One of the themes is school rules versus club rules.
“All of the pupils chosen for this have a passion for football and they probably think that school is a hardship compared to the life of a professional footballer.
“Part of this programme will aim to show them that that isn’t the case.”
Every Tuesday, the three girls and seven boys will head to Recharge and spend an hour learning about a variety of subjects, from healthy living to equal opportunities, before heading back to school for a football lesson from an Hiberian football coach.
All 10 pupils were interviewed with their parents after being nominated by their teachers and support workers at the high school.
Mr McCallum added: “The parents have been extremely supportive of the programme. They recognise that it’s a great opportunity for their children and are absolutely delighted.”
Ross High School is the first East Lothian school to take part in the nationwide Kick Start initiative.
The Tranent programme has been organised by East Lothian Council’s community liaison team, development workers from Recharge and support teachers from Ross High School.
On Tuesday, the pupils officially signed their contracts, which were given the seal of approval by Hibs captain Rob Jones, who is expected to deliver a couple of classes during the course.
Executive director, of Hibs, Scott Lindsay said: “This initiative has great potential to use the powerful force of football amongst young people to both encourage and motivate individuals to reconnect with education and employment.”
Rob Jones is pictured with Chelsey McLaren and Samantha Hogg, flanked by Dielle Kitt, Dale Colgan, Keiran McVie, Stephen Telford, Lian Donaldson and Conor Kirkwood Hibs kids 2046
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