College Sport student is SFA award winner
Ayrshire College student Ryley Gallagher, 22 from Kilmarnock, has been recognised by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) as the ‘Best Young Volunteer’ at their annual South West Grassroots Awards.
Ryley is currently on the HNC Sport Coaching and Development course after studying NC Advanced Sport and Fitness last year.
Ryley won the Best Young Volunteer Award after a fantastic year in which he was part of the SFA’s Volunteer Inspire Programme, where he obtained his ‘Intro to Coaching’ and ‘Children’s Coaching Certificate’ qualifications in the Children’s Pathway.
He has worked as a Lead Coach at Ayrshire College’s #ConnectingCommuties Summer Programme, where he planned and delivered free coaching sessions to children from different backgrounds, while also coordinating and providing feedback to the assistant coaches.
He has also volunteered with Stewarton Annick FC 2012s and the 2012s team in Kilmarnock FC Pro Youth Academy, while playing an integral coaching role at the Kris Boyd Football Centre’s weekly sessions at Ayrshire College’s Kilmarnock Campus.
Former Rangers, Kilmarnock and Scotland striker Kris Boyd said of Ryley’s coaching ability: “He is exceptional working with the kids. He has a sound knowledge of the content of his sessions and gives valuable coaching points, but more importantly he has created a fun environment where the kids really enjoy doing what they do. Ryley is a great example of a young person who cares about what he is doing, and it is clear the difference he is making to these kids. He is an inspirational role model who others should follow.”
Johnny Sinclair, Sport and Fitness lecturer at Ayrshire College, said: “Ryley has become an invaluable asset for his local community, and a wonderful ambassador for Ayrshire College. Ryley’s drive to make a difference, not only to himself, but to the many community partners that he supports, led to him being awarded with a Saltire Volunteering Award for 320 hours of volunteering last academic year.
“The Kris Boyd Football Centre has been an excellent platform for Ryley to flourish and develop into a fantastic coach. He is meticulous when planning sessions, and often uses the resources from his SFA Live account. It has been great to see him adapt and progress some of the Introductory Activities, Training Games and Challenge Games to meet the needs of the participants, whilst ensuring there is healthy competition throughout the session.
“Ryley is well deserving of this award due to his hard work ethic, humility, and his unequivocal determination to become a top-class football coach.”
Garry Hay, said: “Ryley is one of many Ayrshire College sports students who have benefitted from the SFA VIP program in partnership with Ayrshire College’s Sport department. The students receive recognised SFA Coaching Qualifications in the Children’s Pathway which enables them to deliver high quality coaching sessions within their local community. We also work in partnership with Scottish Sporting Futures (SSF), who deliver two pertinent workshops such as, Goal Setting and Conflict Resolution, to further bolster the students’ coaching knowledge.
“Over the last three years, Ayrshire College sports students have been recognised as the best volunteers within the South West Region, however, this is the first time a student has been recognised nationally, winning the Best Young Volunteer Award.
“This is testament to the great partnership work between the SFA and the College, but even more to Ryley’s desire and commitment to dedicate his time and effort to making a difference to the participants that he coaches.”
22 November 2023
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