SportScotland – ActiveSchool’s Fife Awards 2018

Written by Jim Feenan on 07/06/2018

The Fighting Chance Project (Scotland) and Carnegie Judo Club coaches Jim Feenan and Iain Feenan are delighted to have been recognised for the work done in Fife schools with pupils who take part in the Yellow Belt Challenge.  Pupils are selected by the schools for their social, emotional or behavioural needs or have other additional support needs.

Fighting Chance Project (Scotland) was nominated and  shortlisted for the Game Changer/Project of the Year award for “a new project, initiative or innovative approach which has changed how sport, physical activity and/or volunteering is being delivered or viewed within a school or wider community”.  Although not winners Charlie Watt co-founder of FCPS said “we set out to help young people benefit from taking part in judo classes run within the normal school timetabled periods.  This has proven to be a highly effective way to engage with the young people working within a familiar environment.  Through teaching judo in a calm, even handed and relaxed way we also stress the importance of the judo values such as sincerity, respect, self-control and self-confidence we hope to see noticeable improvements in their attitude to peers, teachers and learning.”  Charlie added “although unplanned we have found that the coaches quickly become trusted adult (male) role models for the young people and this is part of the success story of our projects.”

Co-founder Jim Feenan is also the head coach of Carnegie Judo Club who together with son Iain lead the delivery of the schools judo programmes.   Nominated and winners of the Coach of the Year award for “a committed coach who has gone the extra mile to support school sport” Jim said “it is very gratifying to be recognised in both the Game Changer and Coach of the Year awards for the time and effort put in to help the young people referred into our judo programmes.  Our philosophy is simple – if we can make a difference, even a small one, to improve the outcomes for young people then it is all worthwhile.  It is even better that Iain and I should be co-winners of this award.”

 

 

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