News
Foundation Hosts Inaugural Inter-Hub Football Tournament
Thu 26th January 2023
Rangers Charity Foundation has hosted its first ever inter-school hub tournament, The Winter Cup, at Benburb Football Club in Govan.
S1 and S2 pupils representing each of the Foundation’s four Hub in the Community Schools (Govan High School, Drumchapel High School, Knightswood Secondary and Whitehill Secondary) played against each other on what was a fun-filled day for all at the first annual tournament. Govan High School went on to win 4-0 in the final.
As part of a Community Hub model, originally adapted from the successful Manchester United initiative, a full time Foundation Hub Officer is based in each school to work with pupils from all year groups as part of groups or on a one-to-one basis. They support with the transition from primary to secondary school and into positive destinations when pupils are ready to leave.
With the combined efforts of all four Community Hub Officers the tournament was a resounding success. Reflecting on the tournament Govan Community Hub Officer, Scott Smith said: “Events like the tournament definitely help the pupils improve their social skills by mixing with others through the power of football. It also teaches them things like sportsmanship and to be fair to each other but I think the most important thing that the pupils can learn from this is team work and communication. We are really proud of the work we do in each school and showcasing their talent is a key part of what we want to achieve.”
“We also make sure that we keep pupils on the right track through a range of courses and programs inside school and giving them support but we bring in aspects of life that they might engage better with like sport and football, and we give them a little bit more responsibility. Each Hub Officer has their own unique programs that they run, all aiming to support the school with anything they think they need.”
On top of delivering special events outside of the school environment, the Hub in the Community programme also delivers in the classroom. All four Community Hub Officers work with pupils to support attainment whilst also delivering SQA qualifications. Incentives are designed to help boost attendance and to support them in their learning.
Mr Comerford, a teacher at Knightswood said: “Our Hub Officer Mark helps out and provides support for pupils that are maybe becoming disengaged with school. He talks with them and supports them and encourages them to be more positive about learning as a whole.”
“The biggest thing for us is how supportive the Hub Officer is in the school environment and the nature of their support also allows us to help other pupils continue with their learning. Through football they connect with disengaged pupils and that can more often than not be a way in which allows us to get them back on track with their learning.”
As Govan came away from the tournament as winners, pupil Kayleb – who scored four goals in the final and had a great time – went on to say: “The tournament was good. We did really well as a team and we pushed ourselves really hard. Our Hub Officer, Scott, is really good with us and he encourages us to work really hard when we’re working on things with him.”
To read more about what our Hub in the Community programme delivers across Glasgow schools click here.
