<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="background:white"><span style="font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#666666">The Play Leaders, supported by the Parent Council, are requesting &pound;1000 to purchase play and sporting equipment so they can provide a variety of free and accessible extracurricular opportunities during and after school.&nbsp; As a Rights Respecting Gold School, we consistently advocate pupil voice and participation in the planning and delivery of events, improvements and decision making. &nbsp;The Play Leaders consulted over 200 children who advised health and wellbeing, well-resourced clubs and improvements to the playground are a top priority. &nbsp;Therefore they wish to purchase equipment which will enable them to deliver a diverse programme of play and sporting activities and encourage wider pupil participation.&nbsp; In addition to physical skills, participating children will develop skills in communication, determination, resilience and motivation. &nbsp;The Play Leaders also recognise the significance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle and aim to inspire other children to do so by encouraging them to take part in fun, physical, well-resourced and organised games and activities in a safe and nurturing environment throughout the day.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">At the heart of the Young Ambassador programme is our&nbsp;principle that our&nbsp;views, and those of other young people are heard, valued and influence decision making; and that they are engaged in driving sporting&nbsp;change in our school and in the community.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In this context our&nbsp;Young Ambassador role has two key bits:</span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">to promote sport, and motivate and inspire other young people to get involved in sport in a wide range of settings within their local communities, including schools, clubs and community organisations</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">to influence six key aspects of school sport:</span></span></b>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span> <ul style="list-style-type:circle"> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 72.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">extra-curricular sport provision</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 72.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">links to community sport opportunities</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 72.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">opportunities for extra- curricular&nbsp;competition&nbsp;</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 72.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">celebration of young people&nbsp;achievements in sport</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="tab-stops:list 72.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">leadership opportunities for young people</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As&nbsp;role models and leaders&nbsp;for other young people, Young Ambassadors can have a pivotal role within their school and wider community. We have a Young Ambassador comittee in each school and it is pupil lead and supported by school staff and Active Schools Staff.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><strong>The link between exercise and mental health is complicated. Inactivity can be both a cause and a consequence of mental illness, for example. But there are lots of ways that exercise can benefit your mental health, such as:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>The levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, stress hormones and endorphins, change when you exercise.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Regular exercise can help you sleep better. And&nbsp;<a data-print-url="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Mood-and-sleep" href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Mood-and-sleep">good sleep helps you manage your mood</a>.</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise can improve your sense of control, coping ability and self-esteem. People who exercise regularly often report how good achieving a goal makes them feel.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise can distract you from negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>It offers an opportunity to socialise and get social support if you exercise with others.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise increases your energy levels.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Physical activity can be an outlet for your frustrations.&nbsp;</strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Exercise can reduce skeletal muscle tension, which helps you feel more relaxed.&nbsp;<br /> North Ayrshire ice hockey club creates a safe environment to children/ young adults to support the training needs, proving them with coaches to support ongoing training needs and a facility to do this safely.</strong></p> </li> </ul>

<p>We as young ambassadors at Ardrossan Academy would like to apply for funding towards our extra curricular clubs equipment. We have a variety of clubs going on within the school for all ages however the lack of equipment means we are limited to how many kids can take part and what sports they can be offered. Alot of&nbsp;the equipment is dated and in need of replacement. This new equipment would allow for more pupils to get involved in sport who do not get the opportunity out with of school. The cost of local clubs means some of our pupils don&#39;t get the chance to try different sports and the volunteers/teachers within the school who co-ordinate the clubs need some support with this equipment fund.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We wish to apply for funding to purchase new tennis nets, rackets and balls to enhance our new Tennis courts that are nearly at the completion stage. Over the years we have successfully ran tennis summer camps at the club with the small pop up nets on our astro turf. The camps have always been busy and the particapants have had a great time. The funding will allow us to invest in new equiptment for the community to use during the year as we will now run a year long tennis programme. The new courts will be the only tennis courts in Kilwinning and are bound to be a hit given our past track record of delievering successfull projects. we are in the process of forming a constitued Tennis Club who will use this funding to go from strenght to strength.</p>