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Glasgow School of Sport opens its ‘virtual’ doors to a global community of sports enthusiasts
Glasgow School of Sport at Bellahouston Academy is renowned for providing world class coaching in Hockey, Gymnastics, Badminton, Athletics and Swimming to its 300 plus, past and present pupils. Now, with an innovative series of Audio and Video Podcasts, illustrating a wide range of sports skills and coaching techniques, the School can offer its skills to sports enthusiasts worldwide. The podcasts present a uniquely interactive mechanism to engage with users both locally and remotely.
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Glasgow School of Sport podcasts launched on YouTube |
By embracing digital media and having the podcasts accessible via the school’s own channel on YouTube, iphones and as an MP3 Player download, as well as through Glasgow School of Sport’s own website, young people can develop their sporting skills, technique, participation and motivation, at their own pace and via platforms they use every day.
The decision to use Glasgow School of Sport’s own athletes and coaches in their everyday environment, rather than actors simply reading from a script, was Podcast Director Chris Smith’s idea. He explains:
“The coaches and players convey their own experiences in an engaging, personalised and authentic manner and this has increased user involvement significantly. They are ‘Podcasts with Personality’ ”.
Angela Porter, Director of the Glasgow School of Sport, said:
“The podcasts have generated enthusiasm, confidence and pride within our young sports pupils as their talents, skills and abilities have been captured on video and shared with other young people. Through down-to-earth demonstration and explanation, they have created a resource that enables a global audience to watch, practice and learn from them. They simply tell it like it is from their own individual perspectives, and that honesty shines out from the podcasts.”
Kevin Watson, the High Performance, Strength and Conditioning coach at the Glasgow School of Sport, said:
“Getting involved with the podcasts gave me the opportunity to critique my own performance, evaluate my technique and share best practice not just locally across the team, school and community, but nationally and globally. I’ve had a valuable opportunity for self-reflection, awareness and analysis”.
Kimi Bright, a Glasgow School of Sport graduate and elite hockey player, said:
“Walking through the doors at Glasgow School of Sport, you can actually feel the buzz and energy of the place. The podcasts have managed to capture that essence superbly and reflect it virtually.”
A YouTube viewer, Skip 765, commented on the Athletics Warm Up Podcast:
“A great demonstration for new coaches.”
The Podcast Series includes an introduction from Angela Porter - Director of Glasgow School of Sport, Fitness Testing, Gymnastics for Students, Gymnastics for Coaches, Generic Movement, Hockey for Players, Hockey for Coaches, Badminton and Athletics, putting Glasgow firmly on the international map of sporting inspiration, aspiration and excellence.
To date, the podcasts have been utilised by over 80,000 people and have been used in schools, voluntary sports groups, clubs, by National Governing Bodies, coaches, parents, pupils and athletes.
The podcasts are also available on YouTube.Click to return to top of page
