Jennifer Park was one of the first ever Young Ambassadors in Scotland when the programme began back in 2012. Fast forward 13 years and she is now a PE teacher and mentor for her schools new Young Ambassadors. Jennifer reflects on her experience as a YA and how the opportunity and skills gained helped her to get to where she is now.
Jennifer attended Coatbridge High School in North Lanarkshire and was one of a lucky few to be selected as a Young Ambassador when the programme started. In 2012, only two young people from every local authority had the opportunity to be a YA. Now every school in the country can select two YAs to promote, motivate and inspire other young people to get involved in sport in their school and community. Thanks to The National Lottery funding, we have seen over 7,500 young people inspiring other young people across Scotland.
Selected as a YA
“I think I was selected because I was enthusiastic about sport and wanted to be involved,” said Jennifer.
She attended the first ever conference at Ratho Climbing Centre which helped her understanding of the new role and gain the opportunity to meet some Olympians. Once she got back to her school, Jennifer put plans in place alongside her fellow YA, including talks to local primary schools on the various pathways through sport, a Primary School games for schools in North Lanarkshire, as well as numerous events and initiatives in her own school – Give it a go sports days, setting up new clubs, running a dance club and speaking at assemblies.
Jennifer said: “I loved sport, but I was a very quiet person and didn’t want to be the centre of attention. Young Ambassadors helped give me the resilience and confidence to speak in front of large audiences.
"It also helped me to truly understand what leadership meant, as I was given ownership and responsible for supporting other young people into sport.
“I carried on the role from 4th year up until I was a 6th year and as a result of being a YA, I had the confidence to put myself forward to be the girl school captain!”
Representing Scotland
Having left school and unsure what she wanted to do, Jennifer went onto study Sports Science at the University of Edinburgh. It was here her loved for cheerleading began.
“My main sport growing up was dance, however I gave cheerleading a try at University as I thought that would be a great way to meet others and from a social point of view.” Jennifer recalled.
“This was probably one of the greatest decisions I made. After being a EUCC Vixen for four years, I attended trials held by SportCheer Scotland for the national team and was fortunate enough to be selected to represent Scotland at the ICU World Championships in Florida in 2019. “
“Cheerleading is an amazing sport. Most people don’t know, but there are various types of cheerleading. I think people have a perception that we stand at the side with pom poms and ‘cheer’ on other sports. But it is a genuine sport with the World Championships being broadcasted on the Olympic Channel.
"You need strength, power, resilience, a strong mindset and full commitment.
"Competing at the World Championships in 2019 quickly made me realise how established Cheerleading and Performance cheer are as sports across the world and is continuing to grow each year”.
“I have since been to the World Championships four times and this year will be my 5th. Not only being an athlete, but as a coach for the national Hip Hop teams for the past four years, and coming fourth!”
Mentoring a new generation of YAs
After completing a postgraduate degree in PE teaching, Jennifer now teaches at Wallace High School in Stirling along with being a coach for the Scottish National Team Hip Hop teams. Her job not only helps her share her passion and love for dance and cheerleading, but the opportunity to develop and improve young people’s physical skills through a range of different sports.
“If it wasn’t for my PE teachers and the opportunities they gave me such as Young Ambassadors, then I don’t think I would have decided to be a PE teacher. They were such a positive influence in my life” Jennifer said.
“It came at a point in my life when I knew I wanted to make a difference and be that positive role model to others. I love helping people to develop and reach their potential.”
This year Jennifer is a mentor for her schools new Young Ambassadors who are starting their leadership journey.
Jennifer said: “I wanted to be a mentor as I have been through the process and want to give the new YAs that same opportunity.
"They might not know it now, but it’s about equipping them with life skills that they can take into other parts of their lives in the future.
“The role is important as it allows them to be role models for other pupils. By giving them the space to come up and follow through with their ideas makes it relevant for what young people truly want and need, and it’s huge for their peers to see them taking that initiative.
Jennifer is already amazed at what her new Young Ambassadors have achieved as she said:
“They (the YAs) have been fantastic and already made such a difference in such a short space of time. They are in the process of setting up a sports council within the school and engaging with pupils from different year groups. They are also in the process of organising a community project which will engage families to let them know about all the sporting opportunities on our doorstep. Many families don’t know about the opportunities available locally so we will bring in some of those clubs.
“The YAs are also managing the schools School Sport Award gold award application, and it has been great to give them the space to run with their ideas.”
Fit for Girls
Jennifer also supports the schools Fit for Girls ambassadors, who help to empower more girls into sport within the school.
“Within the local authority, we have seen a huge gap in girls taking part in PE” Jennifer said.
“So we selected a group of girls, some sporty and some who are just keen to mix with peer groups and find out some of the barriers to participation, with a hope that they can drive change and get other girls interested in PE.
“We have a girls only club that provides them with opportunities to try different sports. Between this and the work of our YAs we have started to see a rise back in girls’ participation.”
Sport has been a positive influence in Jennifer’s life, and who knows maybe she might be the role model for one of her pupils to pursue a career in PE teaching too!
Find out more
Learn more about the YA programme