Former Nairn girl is made sports professor at university in Wales
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A former Nairn school pupil has been awarded a Professorship in Physical Activity and Health at Swansea University.
Kelly Mackintosh's educational career in began at Rosebank Primary School before she went on to get a BSc (Hons) at the University of Bath in Sport and Exercise Sciences, which she completed in 2008, before completing a Masters in Physical Activity and Health at Loughborough University the following year.
She then did a PhD Liverpool John Moores University during which she focused on developing a curriculum-based intervention to promote physical activity in primary school children.
Professor Mackintosh is the daughter of Alex Mackintosh and Hilary Woolley who managed the Windsor Hotel in Nairn for nearly 20 years
Mr Mackintosh, known locally as ‘Scoosh’, is something of a fundraising legend to the benefit of Nairn County.
Professor Mackintosh recently helped set up the Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS) which unites all universities across Wales.
"Unfortunately due to Covid, much of our work had stalled," she said.
"But with restrictions now beginning to ease, we will be looking to develop our objectives which will benefit the well-being of school children."
She appears regularly on Welsh TV providing Covid updates related to youth mental health and fitness.
On her lifelong love of sport she said: "Dad ‘dragged’ me along to Station Park from a very young age, but I enjoyed it and I still follow the fortunes of Nairn County even though I left Nairn before secondary school.
"I still visit Nairn at least once a year to see family and it’s only when you are away from the town you appreciate how lucky you were growing up in such a lovely place with all its beaches.
"I also sponsor a match ball and anyone who knows my dad will know he rarely misses an opportunity. He’s passionate about the club and still works tirelessly raising funds for them."
For more news from Nairnshire, go to www.inverness-courier.co.uk/nairnshire.
