Episode 11: School of Sport - Annette Taylor

In this episode, we introduce the School of Sport, a landmark cross-community project from the 1990s. Annette Taylor, who started her journey with the project as a 16-year-old assistant coach, reflects on how the program used sports like hockey and football to bridge the city's divide. She shares the pride of watching young people develop new skills before celebrating their achievements at the final festival days.Beyond the sidelines, Annette shares a whirlwind of memories from across the YMCA—from being a bouncer at the Infinity discos and working in the hostel, to serving soup at the "Pit Stop" kitchen. She even takes us back to her star turn as the Fairy Godmother in the Cinderella play. Reflecting on these varied roles, Annette explains how the training and confidence she gained at Drumahoe eventually shaped her career as a children's entertainer. It’s a heartfelt look at her belief that "sports unite people" and how the YMCA family prepares you for a life full of possibilities.