The former Gala player and current Scotland full back spoke to pupils from Kirkhope, Yarrow and Ettrick primary schools as part of the Champions in Schools programme (CiS).

Developed by Winning Scotland Foundation, Champions in Schools delivers workshops with fun-filled physical activity sessions to inspire, educate and motivate school-aged children. 

Other Borders sporting heroes – such as Newcastleton’s Paralympic silver medalist Libby Clegg, who visited Broomlands primary school in Kelso yesterday – have also taken part in the initiative.

Chris said: “I’m really passionate about kids being active and having fun. I had so many good times playing sport throughout my school days, which I’m lucky enough to carry into my adult life.

“Through Champions in Schools, maybe more kids can do the same.”

The programme is being funded and co-ordinated in the Borders by the Active Schools team in partnership with the Winning Scotland Foundation

Supported by Quality Meat Scotland, the second year of the CiS pilot programme comes at a time when research shows physical activity among youths, especially secondary school-aged girls, continues to fall.

Over three separate visits, each athlete will aim to build a rapport with school children, discussing the importance of goal-setting, nutrition and physical activity in everyday life. They shall also share their belief that the adoption of a positive, winning attitude offers long-term benefits on and off the sports field. 

Susan Jackson, senior director of Winning Scotland Foundation and a 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, said: “It isn’t every day that schoolchildren get the opportunity to meet their heroes.

“And these role models can have an incredible influence upon young people, profound and long-lasting, because pupils can see the direct benefits of a life dedicated to achievement, good health and positive thinking.”

Other athletes who have taken or are due to take part in the CiS programme in the Borders include ex-Scotland footballer John Collins, Scotland rugby player Ross Ford and former British hammer thrower and star of TV show Gladiators Shirley Webb.

Scottish judo internationalists Sarah Clark and Euan Burton will also turn up at schools, along with Scottish hockey player Janet Jack, motorcycle racer Stuart Easton and Olympic swimmer Euan Dale.

In total, 13 schools are taking part in the CiS programme throughout the Borders – Gordon, Broomlands, Coldstream, Burnfoot, Howdenburn, St Ronan’s, Walkerburn, Kirkhope, Yarrow, Ettrick, Cockburnspath, Kelso High and Galashiels Academy.