Scotland's first school dedicated to sporting excellence has been developed at Bellahouston Academy and is a first for Glasgow and a first for sport. On a rare break from training we asked the City’s aspiring stars what they think of Scotland’s Bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
We spoke with:
• David Morgan from Renfrew, who at 13 years of age is the youngest of the group. A swimmer since the age of three his dream is to follow in Todd Cooper’s footsteps.
• Jay Cheyne is the only non-Scot of the group. Born in England she now lives in Pollokshaws, and it was her Granddad’s love of hockey that inspired the 15- year-old to take up the sport.
• Kyle Longmuir from Bothwell is in 6th year and continues to focus on badminton. He has his sights firmly set on the European Junior Championships in 2009.
• Lisa Mullen aged 16 from Shawlands, who joined in 1st year to concentrate on badminton. She currently trains 6 times per week, combining running, weights and on-court activity.
• Aspiring hockey star Stuart Syme, 16, from Crawfoot, Glasgow, moved to the school two years ago where he relishes the opportunity to play every day.
We asked the group why do you think young people should be supporting Glasgow 2014? Lisa explained that a multi-sport event, like the Commonwealth Games, provides the opportunity to raise the profile of a range of sports. She said: “The Sudirman Cup, a major international badminton championship, which was held in Glasgow this year was immense. The atmosphere was just electric, and the standard of play outstanding. I was enthralled and I really believe that as more people experience such events the numbers involved in sport will grow, bringing greater facilities and opportunities to Scotland.”
When his friends ask why they should join him in Backing the Bid for Glasgow to win, talented badminton player Kyle tells them about his dream of winning in front of a home crowd.
“I’m Scottish and I want to represent Scotland when I play badminton. Lisa and I recently played in a Home Countries championship and performed well against Ireland and Wales. The Games allow me to compete for my country and give more Scottish athletes the chance to compete on a world-stage.”
Stuart added that the Games will encourage more people to try something different. “Too many children my age only think about football – I know I did until my teacher suggested hockey, which I tried for the first time two years ago.
“The coaches at the School and my local team Clydesdale really nurture the talent in Scotland, they are extremely supportive and I am now in the Scottish under 16 squad and training hard for a place in the under 18 team.
“Hockey is a key Glasgow 2014 sport. I know more people would be inspired to try it and I bet some would discover a talent they didn’t know they had – they may even be a medal winner! More people playing hockey equals bigger clubs, which would bring more sponsors to the game, allowing us to have greater access to first-rate coaches and new equipment – maybe even a second School of Sport elsewhere in the country, enabling more people to benefit as I have.”
It is clear the idea of a Glasgow Games has already inspired Scotland’s youngsters from the response we received to the question; what do you think it would feel like to compete at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 if they were held in Glasgow? David Morgan summed it up; “It would be amazing! My dream is to experience Glasgow 2014 as a member of the Scottish swimming squad. My dad takes me to the pool at 5.30am every day and to have not only him but my whole family in the stand at Tollcross to cheer me on would be all the motivation needed to bring home gold.”
It was refreshing to see the wealth of sporting champions the young people put forward when asked who their hero was. Jay favoured Taekema, the Dutch hockey player who scored the most goals in the 2006 World Cup. She said regular training sessions with Taekema had vastly improved her skills, allowing her to score more often and increasing her chances of being selected for the Scottish under 16 squad.
David, a butterfly swimmer, was inspired to aim for the top after meeting his hero Todd Cooper, following his bronze medal win in Melbourne. The performance of the entire swimming squad inspired this 13-year-old and many more throughout the country to go for gold. Winning the chance to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games will provide more Scottish sporting heroes, inspiring more Scottish children to excel at sport – we may even create a hero in each of the 17 sports that make up the Glasgow programme.
Glasgow 2014 was also lucky enough to catch up with one such sporting hero, Kirsty Balfour, who was invited to be an Ambassador for Clydesdale Bank working on Glasgow’s bid for the 2014 Games.
Kirsty won silver in the 200m breaststroke at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, a result which has seen her pre-selected for the 2008 Olympic team. When asked about the occasion and her thoughts on a Glasgow Games Kirsty said; “I had a fantastic competition at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, where the Aussies were in full tune every day during the swimming competition getting behind their team. I know the Tartan Army would come out in force, rise to the occasion and demonstrate their passion for sport towards every competitor if Glasgow is awarded the 2014 Commonwealth Games. I already get goose bumps when I think about standing on the block in Glasgow ready to race with hundreds of Scottish flags waving whilst supporters cheer me on.”