Lairg girl joins sportscotland Young Ambassadors delivery team
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The next cohort of sportscotland Young Ambassadors has been selected and three young people from Highland are set to help nurture Scotland’s next generation of sport leaders – including a teenager from Sutherland.
After a rigorous recruitment process, Olivia Saunders (from Lairg), Lauren James (Nairn), and Lauren Cromack (Skye) have been named among the 32-strong delivery team who will help develop resources and training to influence new and existing Young Ambassadors for the year ahead, as well as supporting those delivering local sport.
Usually the Young Ambassadors deliver several national conferences to help provide understanding of the role to other young people. This year’s conferences have been cancelled due to the pandemic so parts of the ambassadors’ work will be done remotely.
At the heart of the Young Ambassadors programme is the principle that their views, and those of other young people, are heard and valued and can influence decision making. As role models and leaders for other young people, Young Ambassadors can have a pivotal role within their school and wider community.
Each year, two pupils from each secondary school in Scotland are chosen as Young Ambassadors to promote sport and motivate other young people to get involved in sport in their schools, clubs and local communities.
The project is a key element of sportscotland’s contribution to developing young people as leaders in sport. Since the National Lottery-funded programme was launched in 2012 there have been over 5000 Young Ambassadors in Scotland and around 650 new Young Ambassadors attend the conferences each year.
Dornoch Academy pupil Olivia (17), said: “Hopefully I can help others find ways to make changes for the better. I’d also like to make sure that all the Young Ambassadors have fun.”
Nairn Academy pupil Lauren (16), said: “I’m really pleased to be involved in the delivery team. I hope to use my own personal experience to inspire new Young Ambassadors and enjoy every minute of the year ahead.
Portree High pupil Lauren Cromack (16), added: “I hope that I can make the new ambassadors believe that they can make a difference by doing something they love. On a personal note I would like to keep up my newly found confidence with the delivery team and hope I can inspire others to come out of their shells a little more.”
Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, said: “Congratulations to the 32 young people who have been selected for our 2020 delivery team. It is a programme we are very proud of that has helped develop young people for eight years and wouldn’t be possible without the National Lottery and lottery players.
“Clearly this has been an extremely difficult time for people across Scotland. But it is heartening to see so many young people coming together to try to help and inspire others.
“Becoming a Young Ambassador is a great way to develop new skills, build confidence and meet like-minded people in sport.
"We encourage our Young Ambassadors to motivate others to get into sport, helping shape decisions to ensure youngsters have the best possible sporting experience across Scotland.”
