How will we support you?
As a YA DT member, we will support you from the moment you are recruited to ensure that you get the most from being part of the Delivery Team, as well as providing the best possible experience to new Young Ambassadors.
We will provide you with training opportunities and team building events, held both face to face and online, so that you can meet the other team members and learn the content you will be delivering at the conferences.
As part of the training there will be be holding a residential at our national facility in Inverclyde in August. This will be a two day, overnight residential and will be the main bulk of your training. Alongside time to get to know your fellow Delivery Team members, we will breakdown the content you will be delivering and give you time to run through the various sessions and what to expect at the conferences.
What to expect on the day
New Young Ambassadors have the opportunity to attend a local conference in September which showcases the programme and provides details on how young people can make a meaningful contribution to sport as leaders.
You will be provided with a Blue Delivery Team polo top so that new YAs know who to speak to if they have any questions.
You will then help to make sure these conferences are delivered as successfully as possible. You could be on hand to help make sure all new YAs are registered, present a welcome speech at the start of the conference, be involved in a Q&A session to talk through your experience as a YA, or deliver a workshop to a smaller groups on specific topics a new Young Ambassador should need to know such as planning, promoting their activities or who they need to connect with. Your teamwork skills will come into use as you will deliver the workshops in small groups or pairs.
Before heading home, you will support the new Young Ambassadors to plan with their mentor on what they can implement in their school.
You will also be joined on the day by other special guests such as current or former athletes and a host presenter, who you will work closely with.
Potential Opportunities
- Deliver the workshops at the conferences in small groups or pairs
- Present a welcome or closing speech at a conference
- Be part of a Q&A on stage talking about your experience as a YA
- Create content for the YA dedicated Instagram page (@YAScotland) - You could be covering one of the conferences, creating video interviews or creating other fun content
- Welcoming guests to the conferences
- Creating tools and resources for YAs
- Providing an overview of the programme to important stakeholders
For the conferences, we will try to assign you to the conferences that are closest to you, however you might be required to travel and support conferences that are further away. For these you may need to stay overnight, and the travel and accommodation will be provided and booked by sportscotland. You don't need to be available for all the conferences, but it would be great for us to know as far in advance what conferences you can't make.
If you have any questions about the role then please email youngambassadors@sportscotland.org.uk and we will be more than happy to help.
Q&A with a current YA Delivery Team member
What age were you when you became a YA and Delivery Team member?
I was 14 when I became a YA and 15 when I applied to be a part of the Delivery Team.
What made you apply for the Delivery Team?
I wanted to apply to be a part of the Delivery Team because I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to work with sportscotland as I want to become a sport journalist in the future. I had also seen what the role involved as I had gone to the conference in Inverness as a YA myself and I thought it looked a really fun thing to do.
Where you worried about being on the younger scale of Delivery Team members?
At first, I was a bit nervous because I had no idea what to expect and when I found out some other members were 18/19 I was a bit concerned that I wasn’t experienced enough. As soon as I got to know the other Delivery Team members though I didn’t feel out of place at all.
Were other members welcoming?
100%. When we first arrived at the first meeting in Glasgow we all sat there awkwardly not wanting to speak but as soon as we got to know each other I felt very comfortable around them. At times I felt like I was maybe the odd one out being only 15, especially at the residential, but the other members made sure I was included and I ended up making great friends.
What support did you receive throughout your time on the Delivery Team?
The sportscotland team were so supportive during my time on the Delivery Team. They made sure I was kept up to date with everything via email or on google meets. At the residential, they taught me everything I needed to know on how to deliver a workshop, how to deliver the opening and closing speeches and how to go about the Q and A with the mentors. They also made sure I was okay and felt comfortable at the residential and the conferences. Even when I stayed at the hotel the night before, they made sure everything was all sorted and I was prepared for the conference the following day.
How do you think the experience has impacted you?
I think being part of the conference team has impacted me greatly. I am now more confident at working with new people and I am much more pro-active at getting activities and clubs running at my school alongside the new YAs. I think I am also more willing to put myself out there now and hide away from any opportunities that come my way. If you had told me I lead a workshop in Hampden Park a year ago, I wouldn’t of believed you.
What would you say to anyone who is considering applying?
I would say to anyone considering applying to go for it. It is an amazing opportunity and even if you are younger, don’t let it put you off. The delivery team members are all there because they share a passion for sport and if you also share that passion then age doesn’t matter. It certainly didn’t for me and as I said I have made great friends throughout the process. Just go in with a bit of confidence and don’t be afraid to get to know one another.