Ross County's Duff trying to keep children active during coronavirus isolation periods
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He is a brand new dad, with all the joys and sleepless nights that brings.
But Ross County’s Gordon Duff has more than just baby daughter Eden on his mind amid the coronavirus lockdown.
As head of the Staggies’ community team, the 31-year-old feels responsibility for thousands of youngsters across an area the size of Switzerland.
Social distancing has already wiped out dozens of events, festivals, schools and community sessions and tournaments. But rather than fall idle, Duff and fellow coaches Ryan Moreton and Ryan Farquhar were quick to grasp the increased importance of their role in the Highlands and Islands.
With co-manager Steven Ferguson’s popular “over-70” keepie-up challenge lighting the fuse, the community team ignited interest in a series of online skills challenges for kids. Duff’s home has become the nerve centre co-ordinating it all through Skype calls, in among the nappy-changing and pram-pushing.
He believes a positive response from parents and children will be crucial to the physical and mental wellbeing of young folk as the public health crisis unfolds. County’s schools’ work was serving 2090 youngsters a week, while 200 had signed up for the Easter holiday coaching programme.
Read more in today's Ross-shire Journal.
