As role models and leaders for other young people, Young Ambassadors can have a pivotal role within their school and wider community.
At the heart of the Young Ambassador programme is the principle that their views, and those of other young people are heard, valued and influence decision making; and that they are engaged in driving change.
Over 400 Young Ambassadors are part of the National Lottery-funded programme, we look at what some of these Young Ambassadors have accomplished so far in their role.
Lochgelly High School, Fife
The Young Ambassadors team at Lochgelly High School has been busy since the new term started in August. Four senior girls have been helping to re-establish the school netball team, delivering coaching sessions after school to S1-4 pupils under the guidance of staff.
YAs Tiegan, Angel and Rachel also raised the profile of women in leadership through Active Girls month by interviewing teachers across the school and creating a video for social media. Tiegan has also been supporting PE staff at a lunchtime multisport club for pupils with additional support needs.
Other YAs, Logan and Mason, have been keeping S1-2 pupils active at lunchtime through leading a badminton club.
Furthermore, during the October holidays some of the team helped volunteer at a camp for P1-7 pupils during both weeks and were great role models for the younger pupils in the cluster.
The Lochgelly High School Young Ambassadors are a great asset to the school and are keen to push on with further ideas in 2022. You can see some of their projects first-hand by following these Twitter links #ActiveGirls and Afterschool Leadership.
Larbert High School, Falkirk
The Young Ambassadors at Larbert High School have been involved in a couple of projects so far this term. Both Billie and Niamh have been busy organising the upcoming festive week of sport and both girls are putting plans in place for activities for all S1-S6 pupils, including the popular annual Larbert High School Santa Dash!
Billie and Niamh will be an integral part of running the festive week of sport which will help to raise money for Strathcarron Hospice. Not only this but they have also been a massive part of supporting other sporting groups in the school such as the Girls Panel, Sports Council and Tryst Community Sports Club by leading and assisting coaching sessions for high school and primary school pupils.
James Young High School, West Lothian
Young Ambassador Zara has been very proactive this term, working on a variety of exciting projects.
She has created a virtual PowerPoint that was shown in tutor groups to advertise the range of extra-curricular sports clubs on offer at the start of term. She is also keeping the notice board outside the PE department up to date with interhouse results, club information and good news stories as more events are taking place.
Zara has been focused on leading and working with the sports committee to organise and run the school sport-a-thon which took place prior to the October break. The event was a huge success with over 70 pupils in attendance. The money raised will go towards purchasing new equipment from the PE department.
Zara, with support from the sports committee plan to run a series of interhouse competitions for S1-3 pupils throughout December instead of the traditional social dance sessions. The pupils will gain points for their house and can also gain extra points for sportsmanship and teamwork.
She is also looking to start an 'Instagram takeover' with Young People taking the lead and growing followers across social media.
Robert Burns Academy, East Ayrshire
The Young Ambassadors at Robert Burns Academy Grace and Allie have been busy organising and running an Active Girls Day event which proved to be a great success. After consultation, the pair arranged and ran taster sessions for local primary school pupils that included netball, basketball and dodgeball.
Grace and Allie showed great organisation skills in the lead up to the day and superb event management skills throughout, with over 100 girls participating.
The Young Ambassadors are looking forward to getting their teeth into some further tasks and events which they have already started planning!
Tobermory High School, Argyll and Bute
Gabriel and Eilidh at Tobermory High School had a very busy start to their term as Young Ambassadors.
They have played a pivotal role in setting up our new Sports Council, with representatives from each year group. The pair have helped organise recent house events, including dodgeball, netball and tug of war, and attended those events to ensure smooth running, by helping organise teams, refereeing and ensuring COVID-19 measures were in place.
Both Ambassadors have recently completed their Go Lead/Sports Leadership training and have been putting that to good use by arranging sessions for S1 pupils.
During what has been a very challenging time, the pair have worked incredibly hard and have more ideas in the pipeline for 2022.
Find out more
About the Young Ambassadors programme.
If you’d like to feature in our YA case study series, please get in touch at youngambassadors@sportscotland.org.uk. We look forward to hearing all about what’s happening in your local area.
