Hometown: Uddingston
Education: University of Strathclyde (Sport and Physical Activity)
Sport: Dance
Coaching and volunteering: Active Schools South Lanarkshire volunteer and I coach dance at my dance school.
Club: Redemption Dance Crew
Hobbies: Outside of sport, I enjoy going out with my friends and seeing family when I'm not working. I also spend most of my mornings at the gym, training and pushing my body to the best of its ability as it’s something I enjoy doing.
Proudest achievement: My proudest achievement is opening my own dance school at the age of 16. I coach 15-19 year olds in dance and we have became a family over the past 2 and a half years.
Future aspirations: I aspire to finish University, with my degree and a post graduate degree, and hopefully become a PE teacher as well as coach dance and any other sports I learn along the way.
Interesting fact: I danced in the Armadillo SEC Glasgow when I was 3 years old!
Q&A with Mya
What sports are you involved in and what is it that you love about it?
I am mostly involved in dance as well as coaching multi-sport clubs to younger pupils in primary schools and I deliver sport specific sessions to secondary school pupils. Dance has been a sport I’ve been involved in since I was 2 years old, and my favourite thing is the creativity behind the sport itself. As a choreographer I can be as creative as possible and make a dance that best represents my style and personality. As well as this, coaching multi-sport clubs to younger pupils allows me to create a fun learning environment for kids and to identify young talent in different sports and witness progression throughout each session.
What motivated you to be part of the Young People’s Sport Panel?
I always admired sportscotland for creating the YPSP, as it gives young people a voice in Scottish sport. I was motivated to be on the panel due to my love for sport and the need to raise the profile of sport in Scotland. I was encouraged to make a difference in communities and this platform helps me to do that.
What do you think of the YPSP so far and what work are you involved in?
Due to the pandemic, time on the panel has been challenging and relying on online calls doesn’t allow us to experience the panel to its fullest. Nevertheless, we have been able to make the most of the video calls and have separated the full panel into three focus areas, these include; PE, schools & education, Inclusion and Access to sport. I am part of the PE, schools and education focus area and we have made an action plan for 2022 as well as discussing our objectives for our last year in the panel, which I am excited to see come to life.
What do you think are (some of) the big challenges facing young people in Scotland today?
Young people are facing many mental health barriers today in Scotland especially after the pandemic, these may include; low self esteem, depression and anxiety. The pandemic has also affected young people’s physical activity levels as a result of lockdown and lack of exercise. Therefore, young people may be struggling to adapt their mental and physical state as more normality begins to return.
How do you think sport can help support young people in Scotland?
Sport can be a coping mechanism for those struggling with mental health as it allows people to manage stress and take their mind off any worries they may have. Young people are under immense stress at school and with part time jobs, therefore sport can help support them at this time.
If you could change one thing about sport in Scotland, what would it be?
Sport in Scotland has progressed for the past couple of decades and it’s thanks to organisations like sportscotland that allow this to happen. If I could change one thing about sport in Scotland it would be the pathway for young leadership. I would love to see a national pathway for young people to progress into young leaders and allow them to demonstrate this at a certified level.
Is there a role model who inspires you? What is it about them that you admire?
At this moment in time, my dad is my role model, he represents someone I hope to be like when I’m older. He has helped me through a lot in the past 3 months and his courage is admirable and he encourages me to be brave every day when things become too much in my life. If I become even half of the person he is today then I know I’m doing well.