Jamie was a former professional football player at a young age. When his contract was not renewed he struggled with life, fell out of love with football and was by his own admissions ‘totally dissatisfied and had nowhere to go’. He began drinking and getting into trouble.
One night Jamie was drinking with friends when he stumbled upon the MTGP pitch. MTGP’s coaches encouraged him to participate and he stayed the evening.
MTGP began mentoring Jamie on a 1-1 basis encouraging him to stop drinking, improve his lifestyle choices and re-discover his passion for football. Jamie’s fitness and confidence improved dramatically and he displayed all the necessary temperament, skills and ability to be a successful MTGP coach.
Jamie began volunteering with MTGP. He displayed great aptitude and a genuine desire to help others and was offered employment with MTGP.
Over a 4 year period Jamie’s life was transformed. He gained his coaching qualifications and successfully completed a BSc in Sports Coaching and also a Postgraduate Certificate in Community Development.
Jamie spent the next 3 years playing professional football in Canada and Australia but did not give up his coaching and regularly taught in schools whilst abroad.
On his return to Scotland in 2013, Jamie enrolled on an MSc International Management course at University. He also returned to coaching with MTGP and began playing football at junior level, culminating in captaining Glanafton FC to the final of the Scottish Junior Cup 2013-14.
Jamie slides in to make a clearance during the Scottish Junior Cup Final
Jamie assisted in the design and implementation of the ‘Moving On Project’, a 6 week training and qualification course for individuals undergoing Community Payback Orders. The pilots proved highly successful and achieved numerous outcomes and later gained further funding for another year of activity. The Moving On Project has been highlighted as an example of good practice.
Jamie (standing in the goals) coaching during a ‘Moving On Project’ course
Jamie graduated in June 2015 and successfully gained sought after employment on the ‘Mitie Graduate Management Scheme’ in London. Mitte are a prestigious FTSE 250 organisation. Jamie completed his training and now has a full time position with Delotte as a Contract Performance Manager.
Jamie says….
‘I can’t thank MTGP and their excellent coaches enough. Without them I would not be where I am today.
I have managed to totally turn my life around but know I wouldn’t have been able to do so without their help. MTGP has helped me on numerous occasions as the coaches are always available to give advice or support.
The experiences I gained from working with MTGP assisted me in gaining an excellent job with great prospects. I believe that without MTGP and the encouragement and confidence they gave me to try new things, I would not be where I am today.
I am being developed to take over the Operations management of the London Campus, responsible for 6 buildings that house up to 10,000 staff and I have aspirations to continue to climb the ladder at Mitie, onto regional director level as Managing Director of one of the smaller services lines!
My involvement with MTGP provided me with experience that has served to promote my development as a manager and I would not have been able to progress to my current position without the support of everyone at MTGP’. (Jamie)
Moving The Goalposts 