Age: 19
Hometown: Orkney
What sport are you involved in and what is it that you love about it?
The sports I am involved in are football and badminton what I love would these sports is that they are full of team work, fun, competition and the community feel we have playing as a group.
What motivated you to be part of the Young People’s Sport Panel?
Living on a small island motivated me to be part of the Young People’s Sport Panel as we are a small community that is in the north of Scotland. I wanted to share and express what we have on our island and what we don’t have which hopefully I can develop whilst working alongside the other panel members, being able to show people from the mainland of Scotland the difficulties we have travelling to sporting events south and putting Orkney on the sporting map.
What do you think are (some of) the big challenges facing young people in Scotland today?
Some areas in Scotland don’t have the resources or volunteers for additional support need clubs that are accessible for wheelchair users and young people who are visually impaired etc.
Getting young girls/women involved in sports such as football being named a “boys sport” in the past - it’s good to see more girls and women taking part in them sports and hopefully that will continue to develop over the years to come.
How do you think sport can help support young people in Scotland?
Sport can help young people in Scotland develop skills they never knew they could do, build their confidence, make friends, join a community/family in their sports club. It’s just such a brilliant thing to be part of for your mental health, wellbeing and physical wellness.
Is there a role model who inspires you? What is it about them that you admire?
I think my role models are my family. They have always pushed me to do my best and achieve my biggest achievements to date. They have also taught me a lot skills which include watching my family coach and volunteer in sports I participated in when I was young, to helping me apply for coaching course and follow in their footsteps in making Orkney a brilliant place to grow up and take part in the sporting community.