Delighted to be attending the @EastAyrshire Sports Council & Talented Athlete Awards evening. Always an inspiring evening being amongst so many talented & committed athletes, coaches and dedicated volunteers. @ActiveSchoolsEA @brodie_suzanne @janeleavey @VibrantEAC @anneke_freel

📣 Headteacher of @Auchenharvie Academy, Mr Calum Johnston has shared his pride of former pupil Connor Paterson who was recognised earlier this month for his sporting achievements 👇 21-year-old Connor is one of North Ayrshire’s most sought-after coaches due to his natural affinity to bring out the best in people playing football, basketball and other sports. He recently had a double-win when @sportscotland awarded him the title of ‘School Sport Volunteer of the Year’ 🏆 and @YouthLinkScot awarded him as part of their Eric Liddell 100 Recognition Awards 🏆 - following nominations from his @NAActiveSchools Coordinator, Leeanne Mcphail. Mr Johnson shared: "Since teaming up with North Ayrshire Active Schools in S3, Connor has become an inspiring role model for our pupils who want to follow in his footsteps of becoming a sports coach. "Although Connor has left school for three years now, he returns to Auchenharvie and venues in the surrounding areas in his own time, volunteering up to 15 hours a week to help out with sports activities including basketball, badminton, football and more… "From coaching, volunteering, mentoring and inspiring, Connor has harnessed the power of sports to step up as a talented trailblazer who is building a lasting legacy here in North Ayrshire. “Connor has had some challenging times in his young life, but he has never given up. With the help of our PE department and Active Schools, he has become a valuable and inspirational member of the school and wider community. “He is a real asset to us and is a positive role model who sees red – in the best way possible – as he lives and breathes our school values of Respect, Equality and Determination. "Well done Connor, I’m so proud of you! I hope you wear these awards as badges of honour.” 🤩👏 Connor shares: "Thank you to everyone for their support! I have always had a love of sport and played football since primary school but never really managed to find opportunities. “Now with the help of Active Schools I have been able to find my passion and use my role in sports coaching to raise awareness of the amazing sports sessions and opportunities available locally to help others to find their confidence and improve their lives. “When I first knocked on the door of our Active Schools Coordinator Leeanne, I really wasn’t very engaged with school or keeping up with my school work. I was dealing with a lot at home and had experienced bereavement, so I was really struggling. “Active Schools and Auchenharvie’s amazing PE staff worked with me and believed in me, so that I could get back on track. I'm now proud to be at UWS studying Sports Coaching and I am feeling really positive about the future now." Get the full story in the news release: Speak to the @NAActiveSchools Coordinator in your school to find out how they can support children and young people in North Ayrshire to unlock their sporting potential #ActiveNA

We are all so proud of CP and what he has achieved. He is a true role model in his own community and across @North_Ayrshire Massive well done 👏🏻 💛🖤 @NAC_Leader @ShaunMacaulay @NAC_Education @Auchenharvie @janeleavey

#SchoolSportAward 💛🖤 Massive congratulations!! to @SaintJohnsRC on achieving their sportscotland school gold award!!🥇🏆 Thank you to all the staff, sports leaders who support the school on this journey. 🙌💛🖤 #SportForAll @sportscotland @janeleavey @NAActiveSchools