Give military fitness a sporting chance

Oct 17 2008

Disengaged young people from across South Lanarkshire have been taking part in a weekly Army style training session.

The R U Up 4 IT programme aims to encourage 17-24 year-olds to attain a high level of fitness, build self-confidence and improve their team building skills.

And the programme is proving to be very popular with more than 50 people now taking part compared to an initial 15 who joined when it started in June..

The council, through South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, is the first local authority to introduce this type of project with the Army. And, thanks to its success, it is hoped it can be rolled out across several other local authorities in the future.

Councillor Gerry Convery, the chair of the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd and the council's Community Resources Committee, said: "The project is a fantastic project for young people - bringing them together to improve both their physical fitness and how they work and communicate with others.

“I am delighted that the pilot programme has been such a terrific success and I am sure the course has been enjoyed by all the participants. And I sincerely hope they will go on to build on what they have learned here and improve their lives and their work prospects."

The Hamilton Army Recruitment Service provides this free fitness and support programme for potential Army recruits and those who want to get fit and feel better about themselves. Sergeant Major Kevin Thomson said: "The focus is on developing teamwork and self discipline while having a bit of fun at the same time. Over and above it has also become a bit of a social club with many friendships forged along the way."

And instructor Sgt Calum McLeod added: "It is great to see the progress made, week in week out. In the relatively short space of time that the programme has been running there have been some real success stories with many individual goals achieved. The best advocates for the programme are those that take part in it themselves."

Participant Colin Campbell said: "It's really good, fantastic! I have met lots of new people and friends. I have been here for several months and great things are happening. It is well worth the journey from my home in Carnwath.

And Natalie Bayley from Larkhall added: "This has really helped my fitness, you get a great work out and the routines are good. It's enjoyable but at the same time really hard work. The training has made me feel physically better and a lot fitter. We all get great encouragement from Sgt. McLeod and we all have improved our team work."

The project is being funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Active Futures programme which was set up to help young people take up sport or physical activity.

Dharmendra Kanani, the Director of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: "Not everyone wants to be a record-breaker but we can all find something that generates enough fun for us to want to stick with it.

"It's been especially important for this group of young people who have used sport as a reason to not only build self confidence but also find new employment opportunities."

In addition to the classes at the Hamilton Palace Sports Ground, evening classes are also on at Blantyre Leisure Centre and Hamilton Water Palace - both have proved to be extremely successful.

For further information on the project contact South Lanarkshire Leisure Sports Development Officer, Colin McKendrick on 01698 476260 / 01555 673275.

For more information on Army Careers visit the Army Careers Office in Quarry Street, Hamilton, or call 01698 281579.