Sandy's Vatican message inspires

Sandy Allen-Craig (middle), Senior Lecturer in Exercise Science, recently spoke at a special seminar at the Vatican titled “Coaches: Educating People” and shared about ACU’s Future in Youth program in East Timor.

"A number of delegates thought the Future in Youth program was truly inspirational, and were very interested to learn more," Sandy said.

The two-day international seminar held on 14 – 15 May 2015 in Rome, Italy and hosted by the Church and Sport Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (the Vatican) was titled “Coaches: Educating People” and was focused on the education of coaches for the development of social inclusion.

Sandy’s presentation was specifically related to ACU’s Future in Youth program in East Timor and the education of our coaches and the empowerment of the community. Sandy has been involved in the program for the last five years.

"The presentation was really well received. There was a lot of interest in the work we are doing with the coaches and the program we run," she says.

Sandy describes the seminar as a wonderful experience, and an honour to be a guest at such an event. “It was a little like a UN set up with interpreters and head phones and microphones at every desk and everything presented and translated into three languages instantaneously.”

The seminar was an exciting opportunity for the School of Exercise Science and ACU, and the Faculty of Health and Science was grateful to Sandy for representing the university and showcasing the fantastic work the School has put in to the Future in Youth program, on such a large scale international platform.