Pupils at a Lanarkshire school got a surprise visit in class from a young Rangers women’s star from Wishaw.
When Eilidh Austin, who is combining playing for the Glasgow giants with continuing to study at Coltness High, heard that she’d upset a local pupil at a recent Rangers’ Women’s football match she wanted to make it right.
The incident happened when Hannah from Morningside Primary School attended the recent Rangers v Charlton Athletic friendly match.
On leaving the pitch she’d shouted Eilidh for a photograph who didn’t hear and as a result went up the tunnel.
Eilidh’s dad however did hear and mentioned this to her on the way home in the car. It had upset her that she’d let the girl down, especially as it was the child of one of her ex primary teachers.
Eilidh then took it upon herself to find out what school the girl attended, which was Morningside, and asked if she could go and see her personally on a Friday afternoon which she did last week.
Not only was this a great surprise for Hannah but her whole class thought it was great to be visited by a footballer of such a high calibre with Rangers, Motherwell and Celtic fans alike all getting pictures with her.
The event also turned into an impromptu question and answer session which hopefully inspired several of the girls into thinking about professional sports as a career pathway.
Eilidh said: “I was a bit nervous at the thought of going into a school and talking to the Primary children, but this was a wrong I wanted to right.
“It was actually quite enjoyable in the end and the young people seemed to enjoy it and were very enthusiastic.”
Coltness High headteacher John McGilp added: “I am delighted to hear that Eilidh at a very young age is giving back something to the Wishaw community.
“I have heard that the pupils at Morningside were delighted with her visiting and in particular the girls in the class were very enthusiastic.
“I would hope that her going there will show individuals in the school, in particular the girls that there is a very strong career pathway into professional sports.”
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