Hometown: Inverness
Education: Millburn Academy
Sport: Rugby, football, cycling
Coaching and volunteering: Highland Rugby minis coach, Young Ambassador, Sports Leader with High Life Highland
Club: Highland Rugby Club, Raigmore United Football Club
Hobbies: I love music, playing and listening. I play the drums and guitar. I also like photographing cars.
Proudest achievement: Using my experience and qualifications to help lead sports activities at the Covid-19 Key worker hubs.
Future aspirations: I would like to continue my love of sport by training to be a P.E teacher where I can help develop the next generation of sports stars.
Interesting fact: I have spent a day cycling through paddy fields in Vietnam and had a Vietnamese Dominos pizza after.
Q&A with Euan
What sports are you involved in and what is it that you love about it?
I coach rugby for Highland Rugby Club working with the minis each week. I really enjoy working with the younger players and seeing them improve their skills each week. I am proud to represent the club and support the next generation of rugby players.
I am also part of a school football team that meets each Friday and take part in local friendly fixtures. As a sport Ambassador in school, I am also involved in the leading of extracurricular activities and inter-house competitions.
What motivated you to be part of the Young People’s Sport Panel?
I was aware of the great work of the previous Young People’s Sports Panel. As I am passionate about sport it sounded like a good opportunity to work with others across Scotland to develop sport and represent the voice of young people. I was also attracted to the possibility of working directly with people working at a national level in sport development and influence decision making.
What do you think of the YPSP so far and what work are you involved in?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the Panel so far, albeit the meetings have all been online. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone in person and getting a chance to know each other. My particular focus is on ‘access to sport’. Initial discussions have centred around kit and how we might help young people have access to kit to enable them to take part in sport and avoid the potential cost barrier.
What do you think are (some of) the big challenges facing young people in Scotland today?
One of the biggest challenges for young people today is managing the changes and adaptations required because of the coronavirus e.g., opportunities for socialising, employment/training opportunities and the ability to attend sports clubs. Social media has many benefits for young people but it also brings along many challenges. These challenges include peer pressure, trolling and exploitation.
How do you think sport can help support young people in Scotland?
Sport gives young people new social opportunities, a chance to connect with others, develop important life skills and it also improves their physical and mental health. The wide range of sports that we have available has been demonstrated in the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a great example of the wide range of activities young people can participate in. It also provides great role models and aspiration.
If you could change one thing about sport in Scotland, what would it be?
I would make sport more accessible to everyone. This could be done by providing transport to those who need it, supplying extra kit, making use of online video calls for participants who live further away e.g., during a fitness session. Other examples could be widening the choice of sport in schools and more access to changing/shower facilities which is seen as a potential barrier for those cycling to work//school.
Is there a role model who inspires you? What is it about them that you admire?
A key role model for me is Sir Andy Murray. I admire the huge amount of training he does in order to succeed and his determination to keep going despite many setbacks. I also admire how he uses his position to promote gender equality in sport e.g., calling for equal prize money and appointing a female coach as part of his team.