Two sporty teenagers, who donated more than 800 hours of their own time helping youngsters get active, have been called "unbelievable" by their proud head of year.
Alycia Hutchinson and Claire Dickinson are both sixth form students at The West Bridgford School, in Loughborough Road, and spend up to 10 hours a week coaching kids and officiating sports matches.
The 17-year-olds have also been recognised by independent charity Youth Sport Trust for their impressive efforts and have been awarded their highest accolade, the platinum award.
Sports mad Alycia, of West Bridgford, first started helping out with PE lessons to boost her CV but following her volunteer work has now started looking into becoming a PE teacher after university.
She said: "We started doing it about two years ago during PE lessons but then we began helping out after school as well.
"Year two children from schools across Rushcliffe, including West Bridgford Juniors and Jesse Gray, came to us once a week for a few months and we helped with their multi-sports skills.
"If the children were learning how to play tennis then we would help with their catching and throwing.
"It was great to see them improve, but also see their confidence grow and to see them enjoy playing.
"Teaching sports as a career is definitely something I will look into."
Alycia, who is currently studying for four A levels -English literature, biology, psychology and maths, - also practises Muay Thai Boxing in her spare time.
She said: "I know it sounds quite boring but when I'm not studying or volunteering then I relax by doing more sport, I really enjoy it."
The girls, who also volunteered their services at the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games, kept track of their donated hours using an online calculator on the Youth Sport Trust website, called the Step into Sport Volunteer Passport.
Claire, of West Bridgford, told the Post it was satisfying to see the hours clock up. The student, who is studying biology, chemistry, physics and history A levels and is also on the netball team, said: "It was good to see how much we were volunteering but it was really about helping other people.
"Seeing the year two's confidence grow was the best thing about it because if you aren't very sporty it can be pretty daunting to get involved with PE at school.
"My school has done so much to help me with sport I wanted to pass that on."
The friends were presented with the Youth Sport Trust platinum certificates by their head of year Cameron Bowie, yesterday afternoon.
He said: "Alycia and Claire have donated at least 800 between them which is unbelievable.
"It says everything about the sixth form here, I have never heard of a place where students have so willingly given up their time to help others.
"We are all very proud."
Phil Chamberlain, director of policy and communications at the Youth Sport Trust, said: "Volunteering can play such a crucial role in the development of young people and the achievements of Claire and Alycia is absolutely fantastic.
"Through their efforts they will have undoubtedly supported their local community, but importantly they will have also developed their own skills which will allow them to flourish in their future careers."
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