Yesterday, we were able to help a local charity. The Sports Connections Foundation is a group of current and former professional sportsmen who are committed to helping educate thousands of children every week, in fun and practical ways. Sport is used to teach about global citizenship, hardship and poverty that other children face throughout the world.
Among many other attributes, this fantastic charity creates a series of external camps with non-stop, back-to-back activities for disadvantaged children. It was for one of these very events that we were asked to provide a drumming workshop.
When I arrived, I found the room buzzing and, after meeting the Sports Connections team, I observed the 22 children that I was about to work with. These children came from all types of background and it was simply a privilege to bring something different to their day.
As the average age of the children was about nine, it suddenly hit me that I was this age when, out of the blue, the drumming bug hit me and, consequently, altered my life forever. I remembered the fevered dedication and pride I had when I got my first drumsticks! When it was time to begin the session, I decided to sit with my young eager audience and tell them about my experiences when I was their age.
This fitted well with the overall themes of the day: of being positive, trying new things and generally ‘going for it’ in life. As I spoke, I remembered many stories and anecdotes about each stage in my playing career and how I felt that it all boiled down to was one word…passion.
I explained that, by being devoted to practising all the time, my school teachers quickly noticed me and helped me open the doors to great new experiences. Seeing my passion, my parents did everything possible to encourage me and aid the journey.
Sensing my enthusiasm, my local music store not only gave me a job but facilitated my membership of my first real working bands. From then to becoming a professional drummer for 20 years and eventually a rhythm facilitator has been built from passion.
The success and driving force behind our drumming events, even now, comes from a passion for the instruments, a passion to make music and a passion to lead groups way beyond their potential. And it all started with that single pair of drumsticks all those years ago!
I tried to get over that passion in anything you choose in life is just so powerful and attractive to other people.
I had a fantastic session with the children, with lots of fun and games and great playing. At the end, we had a questions and answers session where my young friends could ask anything about me and my work. There were some really thoughtful questions and we finished the day with many ‘high fives’.
Thanks to Junior McDougald, co-founder and ex-professional footballer, for getting us involved and beginning a new partnership between Creative Team Events and the Sports Connections Foundation. I wish all our amazing young drummers a positive future and hope they each find their own passion to follow.
For more information on the work that this dedicated charity does, visit: www.scfoundation.org.uk.
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