Queens are about to embark on an exciting new venture. As mentioned a couple of days ago on the 'Website', one part of the project is the coaching classes at King George V complex which commence this coming Saturday and the other is visitations to local schools. The latter will be supervised by club captain, Jim Thomson, who has made over 250 first team appearances in a Queens' jersey. On these visits he will be joined by other Queens' favourites such as Sean O'Connor, Paul Burns, Lewis Sloan and Scott Robertson.
Over the years J.T. has been a great ambassador for the club--never backward at coming forward to help, and with him just becoming a dad himself, he is the ideal candidate for the job. Said Jim, "I'm looking forward to the challenge! I've always enjoyed meeting Queens' fans, both young and old, and having a wee chat with them. We'll be visiting as many schools as possible and discussing things like coaching, physical activity levels, soccer skills and how much a healthy diet can help young footballers.
"Last week was 'Autumn Walk to School Week' and we visited quite a few schools over the five days. We're on a short break at present for the school holidays but we'll be starting the visits in earnest when the hols are over. It will be very interesting and enjoyable work".
The entire project is linked with the Dumfries and Galloway Council's Leisure and Sport section and speaking to the 'Website' earlier this week Lee Seton (the Active Schools Manager) stated, "We're delighted to be involved with Queen of the South in this new initiative. It's all part of the 'Active Schools' Programme' to increase awareness in physical activity levels and to encourage healthy living and healthy eating among pupils. My team of Primary School Co-ordinators will be linking with one of Queens' best known players, Jim Thomson, and assisting him in every way.
"To begin with we'll target the area closest to Palmerston, North West Dumfries, which includes Maxwelltown High School and several primaries. Then, if all goes well we'll take in the rest of the town itself and gradually work further afield to encompass the whole of Nithsdale, the Stewartry, Annandale and even into parts of Eskdale. The initial stage will take us through to the end of the football season in May and then, hopefully, we'd re-start again after the school holidays are over".
Lee then added, "I've known Jim Thomson for quite a while and I think he'll be an excellent organiser who will be talking to the pupils about coaching, how to keep active and leading football skill sessions. When I played football myself with St Cuthbert Wanderers I found myself up against Jim several times. We used to 'kick lumps out of each other" he joked, "But there's no hard feelings".
Bill Goldie
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