Ambassador Profile - Rob Kirkland

Name: Rob Kirkland

Course: Masters in International Development and Education

University: Newcastle

Best place to have a beer in Newcastle?
Pink Lane in a cracking pub called "The Forth". It's absolutely bouncing on a Friday afternoon and early evening!

How did you come to be a Student Ambassador?
I was looking at the RTP UK website and saw the opportunity so thought I would apply as it sounded interesting. I'd previously worked as a coach on one of Right To Play's programmes in Thailand and liked the idea of being able to raise awareness in the UK about a cause I feel so passionate about and actually works.

Tell us a bit about your last fundraising event in Newcastle:
The last event was a sponsored English Channel swim (34km) with help from the Newcastle University Swimming and Water Polo Club. Before the event, to raise awareness with the good public of Newcastle City Centre, the men donned swimming trunks and body paint and walked through Newcastle High Street shaking buckets. We were fortunate enough to have Tyne Tees and Boarder television crew come and film the event and show on the early evening news. The swim it took less than 40 minutes to complete and sponsorship is thought to be closing in on the £2000 mark.

(Rob is currently in India, where he is conducting a research project that will form the subject of his thesis). What exactly are you doing out there?
I am researching the allocation and use of Physical Education, Sport and Games in schools for children from low income families. Furthermore, I am conducting small workshops for teachers on the benefits of holistic development through Sport and Play, including showing them how to use many Right To Play games and activities that I know work so well.

Where do you hope to be in ten years?
Somewhere warm, on the coast and involved in sports for development. I have no idea about the specifics!