East Renfrewshire sports leaders provide a voice for young people

Twenty young people from across Scotland will play a crucial role in developing sport over the next two years after sportscotland named its next Young People’s Sport Panel.

Kira Henry, from Barrhead, and Fiona Waddell, from Giffnock, have been selected from 172 applicants to be part of the fifth cohort of the Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP) after a rigorous recruitment process.

The group will now work to provide a voice for young people to influence and shape the future of sport in Scotland and raise its profile, in an initiative led by sportscotland and supported by Young Scot.

Crucial to the programme is that young people are heard and have the opportunity to influence decision making and drive change across the sporting system.

Kira is at Barrhead High School, and she plays football and basketball for the school teams.

The 17-year-old said: “When I heard that I had successfully gained a place on the Young People’s Sport Panel I couldn’t believe it. I can’t wait to get involved with the rest of the panel to help improve sport in Scotland.”

Fiona is in her second year studying psychology at St Andrew’s University, she plays basketball for the university.

The 19-year-old said: “I feel really fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be part of a panel that can make so much positive change.

“Sport has had such a big impact on my life and I’m really looking forward to working with the rest of the panel to continue to provide these experiences to other young people in Scotland.”

The recruitment process began in January when applications were submitted by 172 young people between the ages of 14 and 23 from 29 of the 32 local authority areas.

Interviews were delayed due to COVID-19 but the first interviews took place online in July with the second interviews in September.

A National Lottery funded programme, the YPSP is part of sportscotland’s commitment to provide a legacy of confident and well-trained young people who will become the next generation of leaders to help take the sporting system forward.

The panel’s first meeting is scheduled for early December where the panel will get to know each other and the sportscotland team.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “I want to congratulate our 20 new panel members. They have already shown capability beyond their years by coming through an extremely challenging recruitment process.

“I look forward to working closely with them and hearing their ideas for how the sporting system in Scotland can improve, I have no doubt they will have a positive impact over the next two years.

“The Young People’s Sport Panel is a programme we are very proud of and it has helped develop young people for eight years, it wouldn’t be possible without the National Lottery and lottery players.”

Louise Macdonald OBE, Chief Executive of Young Scot said: “Congratulations to the new Young People’s Sport Panel members. I am excited to see what the future brings – as you shape, influence and raise the profile of sport in Scotland.”

The continued success of the Young People’s Sport Panel grants is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.