Enterprising Academy youngsters unveil ‘Commonhealth’ Games
(Story dated: Saturday, February 10, 2007)

We’ve all heard of the Commonwealth Games, taking place next time in Delhi in 2010, but a new spin on this event — the ‘CommonHealth Games’ will take place in Orkney well in advance, courtesy of a group of young entrepreneurs.

Stromness Academy’s OKNY young enterprise company will attempt to raise public awareness of the issues surrounding healthy living, involving businesses and organisations from across the county, at an open day on February 12, at the Picky Centre.

Attractions will include a Ready Steady Cook competition in the New Phoenix Cinema, featuring local chefs, while the Grainayre Room will host stalls on behalf of local producers and suppliers.

Displays for sports organisations will be set up in the arena, and the fitness and health zones will be open throughout the day.

Company secretary, Joannah Ferguson, 17, explained how the team came up with their ideas.

She said: “We started the company in August, 2006, as part of Young Enterprise, and spent a couple of months deciding what to do.

“Healthy living is a major social concern at the moment, especially in Scotland, and so we eventually decided to use our company to tackle some of the issues surrounding health and fitness.

“As a group of young people, we felt we could set a good example and encourage others, younger and older, to get more active.

“To begin with we planned to simply sell fitness-related products but this idea soon developed.

“In order to get people really involved, giving them the opportunity to try new sports and learn more about healthy eating, we decided to plan an open day in the Pickaquoy Centre.

“The ‘CommonHealth Games’ will include free taster sessions of a variety of different sports, from cheerleading to fencing, and there will be display stalls from a wide range of sports organisations, designed to encourage the public to get signed up to more local clubs and activities.

“Local food companies will also be on hand to show off healthy products that taste great but won’t increase the waistline.

“The Health Suite and Fitness Zone will also be open, free of charge, all day.”

The event, which will be officially opened by Orkney MSP, Jim Wallace, gets under way at 10am on Monday, February 12, which is a school holiday.

“It will run until 4pm, with a short break before a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ healthy special begins at 7.30pm in the New Phoenix Cinema,” added Joannah.

“In this competition, two local chefs, Paul Doull, from the Foveran, and Alan Craigie, of The Creel, will go head to head to create healthy meals to win your vote!”

All apart from one of the OKNY board members are aged 17.

The team comprises Sam Francis as managing director, Andrew Cowan as operations director, Joannah Ferguson and Kristan Harvey as company secretaries, Claire Harvey as finance director, Andrew Kirkland as sales director, Scarlett Palmer as human resources director, Tanya Leslie as marketing director, Robert Miller as IT director, and Colin Buchan, Magnus Harrold and Merisa Hutchison, 18, as the fundraising committee.