Mental health is vital
Derek Armstrong who is involved with Sports Club 15 who are a Special Olympics Club talks to Northsides People in how he kept his athletes motivated in 2021.
Derek has been involved in Sports Club 15 for a number of years but can up with new ideas for the athletes to do at home “I did a number of skill videos but I wanted to go further.” Over the last year people’s mental health has been tested and it’s important to have a laugh and a chat “We decided to have a formal session starting in September and the first meeting focused on the athletes chatting to their friends.” Derek focused on trying to get his athletes more active by doing different virtual sessions “Our dance teacher Jessica was very energetic in doing virtual sessions and I agreed to do circuits by doing different exercise for one minute.” Derek had an interesting conversation with Irish singer Gavin James which gave him an ambition to create a song “Derek had a great idea to come up with a song for themselves with each athlete recording one line and they put it together into a song.” Derek decided a new format for his virtual session with having exercise for the first thirty minutes then having celebrities on for the rest of the session “Derek got an idea to contact singers to come on and do a Q and A with the athletes.” The athletes really enjoyed talking to the interviewer “All athletes loved it because it was something to look forward to each week and all athletes participated by ask a question to the celebrity.” All athletes are feeling disappointed that the final virtual session is this week “The athletes are looking forward to their final virtual session this week with Olivia Douglas who is a country western singer.” Derek is fearful that it won’t be the same fun in real life “The club will be back in October and the athletes will miss the virtual sessions because they got great fun out of the celebrities.” Derek has plans to grow Sports Club 15 by joining up with other groups “One of the club volunteers has moved to Australia and she was asked to teach Basketball also Derek asked to link up with the two clubs virtually over the coming months which is a great way of learning tips.” Derek has plans to keep his virtual fans in touch “Derek has opened up new connections over the last year and Derek has the idea of putting a computer in the club because some people can join virtually to participate in the exercises.” Derek would be lost without the help from his family over the last eighteen months “Derek’s daughter Edel has been massively involved in the virtual sessions and she deserves a massive round of applause.” Derek was shocked with the turnout for the weekly sessions “Derek was overwhelmed that over sixty people joined for some of the sessions.” People have found it easier to do everything from home over the last year but Derek feels that it will take a while to get back into it “Derek feels that it will be tough to motivate their athletes when the club returns because their fitness levels has dropped over the last eighteen months.”
As the restrictions lift and as things go back to normal it will be great if this club can get back to what they do best on a weekly basis.