The Power of Physical Activity

It's no secret that regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. Beyond the obvious benefits of staying fit and active, engaging in sports has been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve concentration, and support overall learning. But the benefits of sport extend far beyond the physical. Participating in sports can also develop critical life skills that open up new career opportunities and personal challenges.

Coaching: A Pathway to Personal and Professional Growth

Becoming a coach is one of the most rewarding ways to engage with sport. At Edinburgh Leisure, coaching is about more than just training athletes to excel in their chosen sport—it's about helping individuals of all ages and abilities reach their full potential. Coaching offers the chance to develop skills in confidence-building, teamwork, and leadership, all while making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Edinburgh Leisure offers a wide range of accredited courses and qualifications for aspiring coaches, whether you're interested in swimming, gymnastics, climbing, tennis, football, athletics, or general sports coaching. Our programmes are designed to support you at every stage of your career, providing the knowledge and experience you need to succeed.

Active Futures: Supporting Youth Development

Our Active Futures programmes are a shining example of how sport can be used to support children and young people. This initiative provides a variety of opportunities for young people to stay active, have fun, meet new people, and learn valuable skills. The focus is on improving health, well-being, and quality of life, all through the power of sport.

One key component of Active Futures is the Positive Destinations (PD) programme, which is specifically designed to help young people who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). This project leverages the transformative power of sport to increase motivation, encourage learning, and support personal development. Participants gain invaluable insight and experience in the sport and leisure industry, helping them develop work-based skills and workplace values that are vital for future employment.

Skills for the Future: Training and Qualifications

At Edinburgh Leisure, we're committed to raising aspirations and developing life skills. Our programmes, such as the Raising Aspirations and Developing Life Skills day courses, provide young people with a glimpse into the fundamental and transferable skills needed in the workplace. Through mock interviews, teamwork tasks, and problem-solving challenges, participants develop crucial communication, leadership, and organisational skills.

For those interested in coaching, we offer the Scottish FA 1.1: Introduction to Coaching course, which serves as the first step on the Scottish Football Association's children's coaching pathway. This course, delivered by expert coaches, equips participants with essential skills like effective communication, interaction, and problem-solving—all key to becoming a successful coach.

Our Sports Leadership L4/L5 courses are another fantastic opportunity for young people to develop their leadership skills. These qualifications not only build confidence but also provide SCQF credits, making them valuable additions to any CV.

Open All Hours: Engaging Youth on Friday Evenings

Sport isn't just about formal training and qualifications—it's also about creating safe, fun spaces for young people to explore new activities. Our Open All Hours programme does just that, offering high school-aged young people the chance to make positive, healthy choices on Friday evenings. Delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and local voluntary organisations, this programme runs across several Edinburgh Leisure venues and provides a supportive environment for young people to try new activities, meet new friends, and stay active.

The next Open All Hours is starting again on Friday, 20^th September, funning until 8^th November and takes place at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre; Drumbrae Leisure Centre; Gracemount Leisure Centre; Jack Kane Community Centre; Royal Commonwealth Pool; South Queensferry High School; Warrender Swim Centre; Wester Hailes High School.

A Bright Future Ahead

At Edinburgh Leisure, we believe in the power of sport to transform lives. Whether you're looking to develop new skills, pursue a career in the sport and leisure industry, or simply stay active and engaged, we have opportunities for you.

Keep an eye out for upcoming events like the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Roadshow at Meadowbank on October 2^nd. Aimed at connecting employers with senior pupils, the event is shaping up to be the largest yet, with 90 exhibitors confirmed and over 3,000 pupils expected to attend. If a career is sport and leisure is of interest, make sure you visit the

Sport is more than just a game—it's a pathway to a brighter, healthier future. Join us at Edinburgh Leisure and discover how you can unlock your full potential through the power of sport.

Find out more: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/active-futures

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