Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you applied for the role of the Young Person’s Sport Panel (YPSP) Administrator?
I am currently going into my final year as a Sport Studies student at Stirling Uni. I’m a past member of the SDS YPSP and current member of both the sportscotland YPSP and Forth Valley Disability Sport YPSP. I’m also a FitForGirls tutor with sportscotland and a tutor with SDS.
Growing up with a disability and participating in sport as a Para swimmer, I have experienced many different barriers and challenges which have driven my passion for inclusion and my desire to make a difference to the sporting world. I joined the Young Start programme at a time where I wasn’t sure where I fitted in sport as I had recently dropped out of swimming but the Young Start programme and the SDS YPSP provided me with a new purpose and a love for volunteering. The confidence I gained through the Young Start programme and the YPSP encouraged me to get involved in other opportunities out with disability sport. When I graduate next year, I plan on working within sport fulltime.
I applied for the role of YPSP administrator because I wanted to give back to the panel which had given me so much. I know the importance of the role that the YPSP administrator has on the YPSP members and I wanted to ensure that the panel members get the most out of their time on the panel. I want to ensure that the current YPSP members have the same and if not better experience than I had on the YPSP.
What have you been up to since starting the new role? Are you enjoying it?
Since starting the role, I have been catching up on what the YPSP have done so far and what they would like to do in the future. I want to make sure I listen to YPSP members and understand the opportunities they want to participate in during their time on the panel. I was grateful to have people who listened to me during my time on the panel. The YPSP have been busy creating lots of videos for social media, and I have loved working with them – it is great to hear them share their story! I also enjoyed getting to know the YPSP members and look forward to our first meeting together in July. We also have an in-person day at the end of July, so it will be lovely to meet everyone in person.
Why do you think it is important for SDS to have a YPSP?
I’m a huge advocate for the importance of listening to and valuing the voice of young people. I am passionate about the impact the voice of young people can have and the way we can use it to make a difference to sport. I believe it is important for SDS to have a YPSP because it provides SDS with the chance to speak and listen to the first-hand and current experiences of people with a disability. Young people also offer a different perspective and they are the future generation, therefore it is important that organisations like SDS ensure that their work considers the needs and interests of young people. Having a YPSP also provides young people with the opportunity to feel like they are making a real difference to their sporting experience, their community and for those around them.
Do you think this role will help you develop your skills and if so, why?
This role will allow me to gain so many different experiences and skills which will benefit and support me in my future career in sport. I believe that you are always growing and developing as a person and I’m excited to see what I will learn and how I will grow in this role. One opportunity that this role offers is the chance to work directly in collaboration and partnership with both my SDS colleagues and external organisations, in order to offer a range of opportunities for the YPSP. This will provide me with the chance to learn about a range of organisations and I’m looking forward to being able to grow my network within the sporting sector.
Why do you think young people should get involved in the YPSP?
The YPSP is a fantastic opportunity to meet other young people who have a disability and who are like-minded and have a passion to make a difference to disability sport. The YPSP provides young people with so many different opportunities to gain new skills, knowledge and experiences which will benefit them throughout their life. YPSP members can influence disability sport at the highest level in Scotland, and SDS welcomes and values their thoughts, opinions, beliefs and experiences in their work! The YPSP was such a positive experience for myself and I got to experience so many different things that I wouldn’t have thought possible! It gave me confidence and self-belief which has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. The YPSP opened so many doors for me and has encouraged me to follow my passion to change sport for the better!