The first Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP) was established in 2012 with two clear aims which continue to be at the heart of the panel today - to influence and shape sport in Scotland and to raise the profile of sport. The panel ensures that young people’s voices in sport are heard so they can influence decision making and drive change.
Each panel lasts for two years and from the first to the current panel, YPSP members have had the opportunity to share their views, and shape and influence the future of sport in Scotland. From consulting on frameworks and policies, sharing their views at events, creating content on topics they feel passionate about and having their voices heard in forums across the sporting network, panel members have been representing young people for over a decade.
In addition to the benefits they bring to the sector, they also experience personal development and growth from their role and have often expressed the positive impact that the YPSP experience has on the panel members themselves. Many of the participants have gone on to work in the sport sector, building on the wider skills and experiences gained as YPSP members to help drive further change and have a lasting impact on the sporting system.
Others are working in different sectors and continue to apply their knowledge and deeper understanding of sport, acting as advocates for sport in wider society.
We caught up with some former YPSP members to learn more about their career paths, and how the YPSP has helped them along the way.
Jessica Davies (YPSP5, 2021/22)
Medical student
I’m going into my fourth year at the University of Glasgow, but taking a year out of medicine to undertake an intercalated degree in Public Health.
The YPSP has genuinely been one of the best things I’ve ever done. The skills I learned and got the opportunity to develop over my 2 years on the panel have been incredibly helpful, not only while continuing with sport, but also with studying medicine and beyond. From teamwork, communication and leadership to the insight on how sport is run in Scotland; in particular, disability sport has been something I continue to talk about with colleagues and staff at hospitals and for that I will forever be grateful. It gave me confidence to step outside my comfort zone, talk in front of large groups of people and network with those around me, all of these skills which I now use regularly.
"A big part of sport is about keeping fit and working with your own body, which is something I think about a lot in regards to medicine and I’m excited to learn more about how sport and exercise can be used in treatment and management plans."
Colin Millar (YPSP1, 2012-14)
Head of Marketing and Commercial Operations, Commonwealth Games Scotland
Not long after my time on the panel ended I secured a job at Hibernian Football Club, initially as Project Development Executive before taking on roles in marketing, communications and operations. I was there for 6.5 years, before moving across to Commonwealth Games Scotland in March 2021.
"My experience with the YPSP was a catalyst for change in my career, giving me the motivation and belief to pursue a career in sport."
I'd always wanted to work in sport, but wasn't interested in coaching or aware of the range of opportunities available. Thinking my best route in was via finance (the Hibernian CEO at the time was an accountant) I did my undergraduate degree in accountancy and picked up a graduate role after university.
Whilst on the panel we worked with so many people at sportscotland, Young Scot and other partner organisations who were passionate about what they did, and I wanted to do the same. The panel also gave me an awareness of the range of roles in the sector, and confidence that I could positively contribute. I committed to taking the step into sport, and had planned on doing a post-graduate degree in sport management to bridge my experience gap, but managed to pick up a role at Hibs in the interim. They allowed me to combine my postgrad with my new role, and I can't imagine working away from sport now.
Eilidh Gibson (YPSP3, 2016-18)
Athlete Programmes and Relationship Manager, Women's Sport Trust
Being part of the YPSP made such a difference to me. It gave me a real understanding of how the sporting landscape works, which was invaluable when I later returned to work in sport in Scotland through my role with Scottish Student Sport.
"But more importantly, my involvement in the Women and Girls working group when I was on the YPSP, gave me my first real experience of equality-focused work. I think it was that experience that made me realise the extent to which I cared about equality in sport."
I believe it was that foundation which gave me the confidence and motivation to start Slalom Inspires, my voluntary organisation which aims to inspire women and girls through paddlesport. Slalom Inspires undoubtedly changed my life and has led me to now working in equality, diversity and inclusion in sport.
Kirsty Ewen (YPSP3, 2016-18)
Partnership Development Lead, Physical Activity & Sport Team, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH)
The YPSP has completely shaped my career. While I was on the YPSP I was introduced to the SAMH PA&S Team through an opportunity to share my story, I was then given opportunities to assist on some projects and gain valuable experience which allowed me to further develop my skills in order to apply and successfully gain employment within the team.
"The panel helped me realise that I had a voice and the ability to help work towards change and gave me confidence to go for it."
The opportunity to network and talk with various professionals at all different levels helped me to work on communicating in different ways with different groups still helps me now in my job when I am working with different partners. Without the panel I wouldn't have the job I do now!
Fionn Gavin (YPSP5, 2021/22)
Police Officer
Since my time on the panel, I joined Police Scotland as a Response Police Officer in November 2022. Being on the panel gave me immense confidence and offered many roles to play whilst working together as a team. This has helped more times than I can count throughout the full process of my career path starting from having the confidence to speak openly in interviews and then playing a daily part in my role, speaking to the public and working together with my team.
Megan Clouston (YPSP6, 2023/24)
Orkney Islands Council Youth and Family Engagement Worker
Since leaving the panel I have started a new job in Community Learning, Developing and Employability within the Youth Services Team as a Youth and Family Engagement Worker, supporting the whole family wellbeing, attainment level in school and using the youth worker approach. I have also created a youth activity group in my local parish as the young folk needed something to do in the evenings as well as in the process of developing an Orkney YPSP!
My experience on the YPSP has supported me massively with gaining confidence with public speaking by being given opportunities to develop these further with speaking at events. It has inspired me to continue trying new things and working hard!
Sara Naveed (YPSP5, 2021/22)
Since leaving the YPSP I started as a Fit for Girls tutor, and joined the LeaderBoard Academy, and as part of this I've spoken at several conferences regarding my journey in sport.
And as of today I am now a registered Scottish charity called Sporting Sisters which aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity with Muslim girls and women in Dundee. This came from my own journey in sport and the barriers I faced and I hope this is the start of change.
I loved being part of the YPSP, it completely changed my life and my passion for sports and inclusion drove to the skies. It allowed me to network and connect with likeminded people who inspired me to make change myself.
Lily Glendinning (YPSP4, 2018-20)
Cardiac Coach at CP+R
Since the panel I graduated with a BSc in Physical Activity and Health and started working with a company called CP+R. I am a cardiac coach and help to rehab our clients back to full health after cardiac events or other health issues. I work remotely and create programmes to guide people through strength and cardio workouts while also working with behaviour change to allow for lifestyle shift.
I got the chance to attend a moving medicine conference while studying my course as well and it really helped me to reframe the exercise guidelines to let my athletes (what we call clients and CP+R) know what they should be doing.
Grace Stirling (YPSP6, 2023/24)
SportAbility Coach, Active Stirling
I have finished university, graduating with a degree in Sport Studies. I now work for Active Stirling as a SportAbility Coach delivering sport and physical activity for children, young people and adults with disabilities. I have created and co-hosted a podcast with my fellow panel member Emma called Our Voice. Our Story. which aims to celebrate, empower and inspire females in sport. Since the panel, I have gained my level 1 Boccia coaching qualification and currently coach at my local boccia club, I supported the development of and helped host the Fit for Girls Sharing and Learning Event.
The YPSP opened my eyes to the world of sport. Before the panel a lot of my experience in sport had been in disability sport, but the panel gave me the confidence to get involved in all areas of sport. While my current job is within disability sport, I have ambitions to take on roles in other areas of sport in the future.
"The panel showed me the importance and power of allowing young people to be heard, and I hope to have roles in the future where I can ensure that young people are heard, valued and empowered."
The panel has allowed me to build a network which I'm sure I will see the benefits of throughout my career. My time on the YPSP has opened so many doors for my future. I feel like the panel has really prepared me for a career in sport, I feel like I can move forward more informed, more determined and more positive and I still strive to make a difference to the sporting world.
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