The East Dunbartonshire youngsters helping to shape future of sport

Two East Dunbartonshire teenagers have been praised by Sportscotland for their work helping to shape the future of Scottish sport for over two years.
Hannah Mayo (right) and Erin Gillen have been praised by sportscotland after helping to shape the future of Scottish sport for over two years.Hannah Mayo (right) and Erin Gillen have been praised by sportscotland after helping to shape the future of Scottish sport for over two years.
Hannah Mayo (right) and Erin Gillen have been praised by sportscotland after helping to shape the future of Scottish sport for over two years.

Hannah Mayo, 17, from Lenzie, and Erin Gillen, 19, from Kirkintilloch, were named as part of the fourth cohort of Sportscotland’s young people’s sport panel in June 2018.

The panel provides a national platform for the voices of young people to be heard and valued in the sporting system.

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And crucial to the programme is that panel members have the opportunity to influence decision-making and drive change in Scottish sport.

A National Lottery funded programme, the panel 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 14 panel members have made great strides during nearly two and a half years helping to influence and shape the future of sport and raising its profile.

They’ve had the opportunity to meet and present ideas to sport minister Joe FitzPatrick as well as the Sportscotland board.

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Panel members have also supported decision-making for Sportscotland’s school sport awards programme and coaching, officiating and volunteering awards.

The panel also continued to support Scottish sport during lockdown by helping the Sportscotland and Scottish Association for Mental Health Walk and Talk campaign to help keep Scotland physically active and connected with friends and family during lockdown.

Former Turnbull High pupil Erin, now a student at Strathclyde University, said of her time in the panel: “My experience as part of the young people’s sport panel has been life-changing.

“Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with sporting professionals, communicate with the board and network at events.

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“Working on project groups such as woman and girls in sport has allowed me to have a real impact in influencing and shaping the future of sport in Scotland, through our Fit for Girls solutions workshops.

“I am so grateful to have had the experience of working with Sportscotland.

Lenzie Academy pupil Hannah added: “Sport is an amazing way to bring people together for enjoyment and building friendships.

“Being involved in daily activity can have such a positive impact on young people’s lives.

“As a panel member, I have had some amazing opportunities.

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“Some of my favourites include being a part of the judging panel for the coaching, officiating and volunteering awards and the gold school sport awards.

“Throughout my time on the panel, I have gained more independence and confidence and also had fantastic experience working alongside adults.”

Chief executive of Sportscotland Stewart Harris said: “I’ve never failed to be impressed by the commitment and passion for sport these panel members have shown, none more so than Hannah and Erin.

“They’ve been a credit to themselves throughout their time on the panel.

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“I’d like to thank them all for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm for sport which has allowed them to make a big impression at local and national level and has left a positive impact on Scottish sport.”

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