Rowland and Bobby met working for the council employed as sport coaches, going into schools that were backed by a government funded project.
When the role came to an end both went out as freelance sports coaches in schools. Meeting again, the penny dropped that they were better joining forces. After some market research interviewing head teachers, learning mentors, parent involvement officers, PE co-ordinators and questionnaire for children. The response was overwhelming from all areas and also that the children would benefit, especially as the schools were not paying for the service. The support from schools was that they would find the funds to ensure the service was offered.
Pro-active Sports was established in April 2006 where they started off in few schools, soon having to employ staff and train coaches to cover schools in the Yorkshire area, currently employing 10 coaches Yorkshire wide and have another batch coming through.
Naomi from Make your Mark in Wakefield nominated Pro-Active Sports for the Enterprising Young Brits Award. The boys hadn’t even given it a second thought, until they received a call stating that they had been short listed in the Social and Environmental category out of thousands that had been nominated and had been placed in the finals, they won the award that was given to them.
Bobby Singh & Rowland Egege Enterprising Young Brits – Make Your Mark – November 2006.
They were also asked to attend The Yorkshire Enterprise & diversity convention 2006 – Enterprise award
"We attended a enterprising debate on the 1st day, 2nd day, we did a presentation to panel of 9 judges.
This just made their business more credible, they received a lot of publicity, Daily Mail, there profile was raised and "people started taking us seriously as a business." The award was presented by Gordon Brown.
Yorkshire Enterprise and Diversity Awards – nominated for many awards since and runners up and nominated for Vision awards and short listed.
Rowland has always been good at sports and wanted to do sports when he was at school, teachers had said do something that you wanted to do and enjoyed. He'd questioned what he was good at, "I played football at a high standard." Rowland completed a Leisure & recreation course and loved it, then Level 1 football whivh he found easy. He went to school for work experience at Springwood Primary and did a 1hr sports session. The teacher had asked if he'd done it before, "they encouraged me and almost planted the seed.' He then received his level 2 football.
Bobby – "I’ve always been good at sports main topic at school." Bobby attended Park Lane College completing a BTec National in Sports Science, then Carnegie, Leeds Metropolitan University, BSC Honours in Physical Activity Exercise and Health, the facilities absolutely fantastic. "I always wanted to be a PE teacher", he worked for Abbey National, when the council job came up. Met Rowland, did not go back to do the PGCE.
Which two people would you like to have dinner with alive or dead:
"I’d have to say three says Rowland: Michael Jackson – first black superstar, Beckham – top man , I love football as my first passion and I have to really have to take my hat off to him. And thirdly, the best moment of my life was receiving the Enterprise Awards, I wish my father was alive so he could see what I’ve achieved.
Bobby says "Mohammed Ali – greatest role model and Princes Diana - she was always a very caring person and gave up so much of her time to helping others less fortunate than herself.
If you think your City or School could benefit from the services of Pro-Active Sports, get in touch: ProActive Sports at www.proactive-sports.co.uk
