of sporting leaders

Almost 100 school pupils from across the region were at Aberdeen Football Club on Friday (September 13) for the third of this year’s Young Ambassadors conferences.

They were joined by a host of top Scottish athletes, who helped to support the young people in gaining the skills, knowledge, and understanding to undertake their role.

The Young Ambassadors programme engages young people, aged 14-17, as role models and leaders in sport and is delivered by sportscotland, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust.

Six regional conferences are being held throughout September with two young people from every secondary school in Scotland having the opportunity to attend their local event.

At Friday’s conference, 22 schools from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and Shetland took part.

Paralympic gold medallist David Smith told the young people about his inspirational journey to the podium in London, before taking to the stage to interview Olympic steeplechaser Eilish McColgan.

Judoka Euan Burton, who has represented Team GB at two Olympics and now works for the sportscotland institute of sport as Assistant High Performance Judo Coach, and curler Ewan MacDonald acted as mentors to the Young Ambassadors throughout the day-long conference, leading workshops about their sporting career and experiences.

Jacqueline Lynn, sportscotland’s Head of School and Community Sport, said: “The Young Ambassadors conferences are integral to, and an exciting aspect of, the Young Ambassador programme.

“As well as the athletes providing invaluable advice, there is the opportunity for the young people to learn about their local sporting opportunities in areas such as coaching, volunteering, and officiating.

“The key role of a Young Ambassador is to motivate and inspire other young people to participate in sport by raising awareness of opportunities to get involved in sport in schools, clubs, and community sport hubs, promoting an active lifestyle, and raising awareness using the excitement of all major sporting events.”

In 2012 the programme expanded and the number of Young Ambassadors increased from just over 60 each year to over 600. All secondary schools can nominate new Young Ambassadors annually, with Active Schools coordinators and teachers then mentoring the Young Ambassadors, helping them to develop and raise awareness of activities in their school or area.

For more information, go to www.sportscotland.org.uk/ya.