News reports located on this page = 2.

Sports and Public Services students 'Meet the Professionals'

STUDENTS and staff from Hugh Baird College's Sport and Public Services department recently hosted a 'Meet the Professionals' event in order to broaden their knowledge of career paths in their related subject areas. The event featured a number of industry specialists who were once Hugh Baird College students themselves and who have since gone on to forge careers in the Sport and Fitness industry. There were common themes that ran through all sessions during the day. These included:- how to make exercise fun and accessible to all and how exercise can benefit your social life and your mental wellbeing. In addition, many of the ex-students spoke at length about the business and marketing skills that they needed to develop and the importance of growing your businesses reputation on social media with client testimonials. Sessions delivered throughout the day included:- circuit training, high intensity interval training sessions, Pilates, Yoga, Olympic weightlifting and much more. The 1st presentation and session of the day was delivered by ex-Hugh Baird College Sport student, Jase Porter, on 'finding your niche.' The session looked at the determination it takes to be successful in the industry and looked at Jase's career journey. Jase is the Director of 'My Fitness Agent Ltd' and is also the founder of the 'Fitness Professionals Awards.'

Jase said:- "It was great to be invited in as an ex-student of Hugh Baird College to meet with the learners who are in exactly the same position as I was just a few years ago. It was important for me to make sure that each student left my session feeling inspired and motivated. Hugh Baird College and the course I studied played a huge part in I where I am today, but I really wanted the students to understand how hard you have to work to build your fitness business and most importantly, your reputation."

Another ex-student who returned to meet with students was Vicky Woods. Vicky studied Personal Training at the college and now runs her own Personal Training business. Vicky spoke to the students on 'staying relevant' within the Sports Industry. She also ran a demanding high intensity interval training session with the students in order for them to pick up tips on session delivery and how to tailor classes to the differing fitness levels of those taking part.

Vicky said:- "I started my fitness journey at Hugh Baird College and it was great to come back. The fitness industry is crying out for fresh new instructors and classes to get everyone involved in exercise. I loved being able to come back and deliver a class. The students threw themselves into it and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did."

Former student, Tom Lamkin, gave the students the opportunity to learn more about low impact fitness sessions in his presentation on 'Embracing the Silence.' Tom, who is a Yoga and Pilates Instructor, explained the growing popularity of fitness sessions that increase flexibility and enable those taking part to experience and practice mindfulness.

Tom said:- "I loved being back at Hugh Baird College and I was really honoured to have been asked. Even better was the fact that I got to teach a yoga class. As an ex-student, it's important to me that I keep in touch with the College and show current students the opportunities available to them once they finish. I can't wait to be back!"

Amy Crowley, Hugh Baird College Health and Fitness Instruction student, said:- "I really enjoyed the 'Meet the Professionals' event, it was great to meet experts in the field who opened our eyes to the wide range of opportunities available to us in the Sport and Fitness industry."

Michael Carney, Hugh Baird College Lecturer in Physical Education, said:- "The 'Meet the Professionals' event was an amazing opportunity for our students. They got to network with industry leaders and gained insights into the challenges and opportunities facing fitness instructors in the modern climate. It was even better that these professionals were ex-students of ours. It gave the current students motivation and showed them how successful they could if they believe in themselves put their full effort in to their courses."

For more information on Sport and Public Services courses please visit Hugh Baird College's website or alternatively, please call:- 0151 353 4444.

This Girl Can!

AOC Sport have launched the:- 'This Girl Can' campaign to inspire and motivate females to become more active, but also to improve mental wellbeing and positive thinking. Isabelle said:- "I am delighted to have been chosen as the College's 'This Girl Can' ambassador. I have always loved being active and ultimately aim to 1 day become a personal training instructor in the Royal Air Force. I feel it's crucial that females feel empowered and don't feel self-conscious or anxious about undertaking sport or any physical activities."

In order to undertake the role, Isabelle undertook extensive training provided by Sport England. Isabelle added:- "Throughout the training for the role, we learnt about the physical part of the role, but there was also a lot of emphasis on the mental health benefits being active can provide."

Cath Sullivan, Vice Principal of People Organisational Development and Culture, said:- "As a College we provide an extensive range of services for all our learners and staff in order to support their mental and physical health. Mental health is unlike physical injuries or illnesses as it is unseen and for some time there has been an unnecessary stigma surrounding asking for help. Gladly, I feel that as an organisation, we are breaking down these barriers. The 'This Girl Can' Ambassador role is another example of how we are supporting our learners to understand the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle I wish Isabelle well in this important role."

Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps enhance sleep patterns and boosts overall mood. Many research programmes have indicated that modest amounts of exercise can make a big difference. Adam Broomhead, Hugh Baird College Sports Maker, said:- "Isabelle is the College's 1st ever 'This Girl Can' Ambassador, the initiative is in its second year and aims to reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups, especially females. Isabelle, alongside College staff, will help deliver more sport and physical activity to all college students and develop new ideas and initiatives to drive up female participation in college."

For more information on Sport, Exercise and Fitness courses at Hugh Baird College, please visit the Collage's website or alternatively call:- 0151 353 4444.