Team Scotland player Nicki Skrastin inspires pupils from Clydebank High School

Pupils from Clydebank High School met Commonwealth Games debutant Nicki Skrastin who delivered an action-packed hockey taster session for secondary three pupils.

Nicki, from Helensburgh, studies Geography and Business at the University of Glasgow and is one of 160 athletes across Scotland to receive support from national scholarships Winning Students.

It provides her with funding for equipment and competitions and the academic flexibility required to perform at the highest level in her sport and studies.

The 21-year-old took time out from her Glasgow preparations to meet more than 200 secondary three pupils at the West Dunbartonshire school as part of their own Commonwealth Games-themed week.

NSkrastin School visit

After fielding a question and answer session, Nicki then headed for the Sports Hall to demonstrate the techniques and skills to develop in hockey.

Nicki said: “The pupils were really keen and had lots of questions to ask me which was great. I was also really impressed with how they to put the skills they learned during the hockey session into practice in the games.

“The support from Winning Students has been so important for me as it means I can focus fully on my training and competing for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games. With their support and the assistance from my University, I was able to take a year out to focus on selection and now that I’ve done that, I can’t wait to experience my first ever Games.

“I first took up hockey when I was at school and I wasn’t very good, but I’m really competitive so I kept working and improving and now it’s a dream come true to play at a home Commonwealth Games.”

The Winning Students School visits give pupils an opportunity to meet talented student athletes and learn more about future sport and study opportunities.

Mr Hunter, Principal Teacher of Biology & Chemistry, who organised the Commonwealth Games Week, said: “When planning our Commonwealth Week, we knew that maximising participation was always going to be key to achieving our aims. Nicki’s visit and inspirational talk proved instrumental in encouraging all pupils to participate in our mini games.

“Pupils asked Nicki some searching questions and signed up for her coaching session in droves and they greatly appreciated the expert tuition they received. Hearing about Winning Students gave us a completely new perspective on further education. The idea that you can be supported to combine study and sporting interests at college or university was new to our pupils and has given many of them food for thought.”

 

Find out more about the scholarships at www.winningstudents-scotland.ac.uk

 

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