Nineteen young people from across Scotland are poised to play a key role in developing sport over the next two years as part of the Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP).
The members of the fourth #SportPanel were selected from 156 applicants and came through a rigorous interview process.
The full line-up is:
- Hannah Mayo
- Holly Halferty
- Eilidh Barclay
- Caitlyn Rice
- Rian Harvey
- Anna McDiarmid
- Ibrahim Zaraf Riaz
- Lily Glendinning
- Ross Dobson
- Alice Fox
- Erin Gillen
- Ryan Kellock
- Sara Johnston
- Olivia Preston
- Charlie Wilson
- Megan Glancy
- Declan Coutts
- Panashe Muzambe
- Nicola McDonald
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.
The recruitment process began in January 2018 when applications were submitted by 156 young people between the ages of 14 and 23 from every region of Scotland.
Young People’s Sport Panel Official Launch Night. Thank you everyone who’s helped me get where I am today. #SportPanel @sportscotland @YoungScot @SunnysidePri @Smithycroft282 @YoMoGlasgow @ActiveEastUK pic.twitter.com/SINiFQ8mUh
— Holly Halferty (@holly_halferty) 29 June 2018
In March, 102 of the applicants were interviewed by a team of experts from sportscotland and external partners as well as previous panel members, from which 38 candidates were selected for a second interview, which included a group session, an individual challenge and a formal interview.
(L-R) Ross Dobson, Hannah Mayo, sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris, Rian Harvey and Alice Fox
Most of the new panel met for the first time in sportscotland’s Edinburgh office on 29 June along with their parents and guardians, with only Nicola McDonald, Ibrahim Zaraf Riaz, Megan Glancy and Panashe Muzambe unable to attend. This provided an opportunity for the young people to hear from former panel members and find out more about the expectations of the next two years.
Looking forward to the next two years! #sportpanel https://t.co/U41btMeT62
— Caitlyn Rice (@caitlyn_rice11) 30 June 2018
The panel is now in its fourth two-year cycle and sportscotland CEO, Stewart Harris, congratulated the new panel members and said he was delighted with the impact the panel continued to make on sport across the country.
He said: “I want to congratulate our 19 new panel members who have come through a rigorous recruitment process. That alone is a wonderful achievement and they have already shown skill and ability beyond their years.
"I look forward to seeing the positive impact their passion and dedication will have on Scottish sport over the next two years.
“I’d also like to give special thanks to the departing panel members who had an extremely successful two years and achieved so much, their hard work and enthusiasm was truly inspiring.
“I am always impressed by the commitment and passion for sport these young people have. They've made a real impact both at a local and national level, helping to implement programmes such as the School Sport Awards.”
Part of the role of the YPSP is to create online content that will encourage and entice their peers from across Scotland to get involved in sport. A lot of this content is hosted on the Young Scot website and they use their various channels to communicate with their audience.
Can’t wait for the next 2 years! Such a good team! @sportscotland @ActiveClacks @alva_pe #SportPanel https://t.co/t2EUlQE4WT
— Ryan Kellock YPSP ⚽️ (@RyanKellock20) 29 June 2018
Young Scot chief executive, Louise Macdonald, said: “The Young People’s Sport Panel new members have a wonderful opportunity to shape Scottish sport and help build an active legacy from the Year of Young People 2018. We are all really looking forward to working with them to create exciting opportunities for other young people in their local communities.”
The young people will have a busy two years. They will continue to sit on the panel for the School Sport Awards and help schools implement the programme. In September 2018 they will come together for a residential meeting
The panel members are also given the opportunity to address regional and national forums to give them the confidence to promote the positive messages of sport to a wider audience.
Find out more
Find out more about the Young People's Sport Panel and the work they do.
Follow the #SportPanel on Twitter.
Catch up on some of the work of the previous #SportPanel here at Sport First.
