Inverness Caledonian Thistle goalkeeper Mark Ridgers puts on football training session at Knockando Primary School
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INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle goalkeeper Mark Ridgers paid a visit to a Moray primary school this week to meet two fans and put on a series of training sessions.
Ridgers (30), who has made more than 100 appearances for Caley Thistle since joining his hometown club in 2017, visited Knockando Primary School on Monday morning – much to the delight of pupils.
Back in January, pupils at the school were tasked with writing an acrostic poem about a famous Scot, past or present, with Duncan Meldrum in primary two picking his favourite Inverness Caley Thistle player – Mark Ridgers.
Ridgers read the poem and, touched by the youngster's efforts, sent a signed pair of gloves to Duncan.
With lockdown eased, Ridgers had the chance to visit Duncan and his brother Finlay – who wrote his poem about another Caley Thistle player – to say thank you.
Acting head teacher Hayley Burns arranged the visit, which coincided with the start of Knockando Primary's activities week.
She said: "I messaged Mark on the off chance, thinking if you don't ask then you don't get.
"I told him Duncan and Finlay would love to meet him, and asked if he could perhaps stay for an hour to do a meet and greet.
"He came on Monday, spent the whole morning with us and put on a mini training session for everyone at the school. Pupils got the chance to interview him at break time – when he also signed autographs, shirts, scarves and flags.
"Mark is on holiday right now so he gave up his own free time to do this, which is amazing. He was really professional, supporting and encouraging of the youngsters.
"It was a great start to our activities week."
Ms Burns told that Finlay and Duncan were "over the moon" when they heard their favourite player was paying them a visit.
And, while some may say never meet your heroes, they weren't disappointed by his visit – with Mark organising dribbling and passing drills for the kids, before refereeing and coaching a 20-minute match.
The pair's mother rang the school afterwards to say how much they had enjoyed their day.
Ridgers wasn't the only local sporting personality paying the school a visit this week.
Ms Burns added: "As well as football, we had rugby, cycling, archery, tennis and mountain biking ongoing.
"We had Kenny Wilson, the Speyside runner, in to visit, as well as coaches from Moray and Huntly rugby clubs.
"We also had Outfit Moray taking pupils gorge walking.
"We are having to cancel so much at the moment so I was thinking about how we can we bring the experiences here, so pupils can safely enjoy some proper coaching sessions.
"I started organising everything in January. We have been lucky with the weather and it's been fantastic.
"Sport is a great context for learning and is great for health and wellbeing. The kids got a lot out of it."
