David Dukes

You don't need to be an adult to be a good influence, as David Dukes will tell you. 

David's five-year-old son Joshua started playing with a children's Soccer Fours group in Cumbernauld. Like most parents, he intended to drop his son off for the Saturday morning games, as he thought it would be a good way for Joshua to be more active.

However when they went along to the group in Cumbernauld, David was asked to stay for a kick about with the parents group that runs simultaneously with Soccer Fours.

"I wanted to get Joshua involved in sports outside of school. When I heard about the parents group I thought it could be a good laugh meeting the others and running around for a bit."

"We didn't do many activities as a family before. My partner, Fiona, works night shifts and I work during the day so it's difficult finding time for us all to be together. We like to go swimming with the kids when time allows and now we're keen to do activities as a family and stay active."

Parental Participation Sessions are a fairly new scheme in North Lanarkshire, introduced by the Sport & Outdoor Education Team and has been driven forward by Colin Scott, the project's co-ordinator for the region. While the children play Soccer Fours in one hall, the parents play their own game in another.

"Colin is very enthusiastic about the groups and that definitely rubs off on the parents when we're here. The football sessions have really been a catalyst for me doing other types of sport and to look at other ways to improve my health and fitness."

"Since playing with the group regularly I've lost weight, I feel fitter and I have a good time each week with the other dads."

"The parent's group here is great. Joshua and I are both getting exercise at the same time and it's a mutual interest that we can share at home too."