Sports-mad Arlene on active duty in USA

Nov 29 2008 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

SPORTY teenager Arlene McShane has been on the trip of a lifetime to America after a voluntary school project sparked her interest in coaching.

Arlene, 18, was one of only four people picked from a group of 300 to travel across the Atlantic to get more experience.

And her dream journey started thanks to a programme called Renfrewshire’s School of Sport Education (RSSE) – which is aimed at getting youngsters more involved in sport.

The former pupil of St Benedict’s High School in Linwood took part in RSSE – now in its fourth year – when she was in sixth year and it gave her a taste for coaching.

Arlene, from Linwood, explained: “America was amazing.

“I was so scared going over because I was the only person from Scotland, but I got on so well with the other three people who went over and everyone in America was lovely.”

RSSE has been expanded from 20 places at one centre to 48 places at three centres in Renfrewshire.

Over the last few years a total of 81 students have taken part in the programme offering around 13,000 voluntary hours.

Almost half of those who have taken part are still actively providing play, sport and physical activity in their local communities.

After completing the RSSE and leaving school, Arlene, now studying for an HND at James Watt College, continued as a volunteer with the Active Schools programme in Renfrewshire.

When the Youth Sports Trust contacted Renfrewshire Council looking for young leaders to attend a four-day residential course in Loughborough, Arlene was one of only two Scots involved.

It was here that she was spotted and chosen as one of the four invited to spend two weeks in Maine, USA, attending a local high school and sharing their coaching experience.

Arlene works and volunteers as a coach with Active Schools, which is a Renfrewshire Council initiative to encourage physical activity and sport for school kids.

She said: “You get a lot out of it, not just for yourself but also the opportunities you get and the different people you meet.

“I am not a world champion sportswoman, but you don’t have to be to be a good coach.

“You have to throw yourself in at the deep end, like me!”

Arlene is pictured here at Gryffe High School, in Houston, with fellow RSSE graduates and Active Breaks workers Lynsey Coutts, Mark Preiss, Arlene McSHane, Mark Gray and Peter Dalgleish.

Active Breaks introduces children to lots of new activities and, last month, the Paisley Daily Express revealed how pupils are rocking their way to fitness in a series of cheerleading sessions.

Award-winning cheerleader Gillian Rocks is putting kids through their paces at Lochfield in Paisley, Fordbank in Johnstone, Howwood and Park Mains High in Erskine.

Councillor Lorraine Cameron, Renfrewshire’s education convener, said: “Arlene is a brilliant example of the success of RSSE.

“I’m sure she will inspire not only those taking part this year but younger pupils also.

“It is so important for our young people to be encouraged to take part in physical activity and learn the advantages of keeping fit.

“Both the RSSE and the Active Schools programme provide young people with opportunities to find activities which they enjoy and can take further into adulthood.

“The expansion of the RSSE this year will mean that the students will be providing around 10,000 children with the opportunity to engage in sports and physical activity.”