CEO praises Nicola’s help
Dunblane gymnast Nicola Mcdonald has been praised by sportscotland after helping to shape the future of the country’s sport for over two years.
Nicola (22) was named as part of the fourth cohort of sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP) in June 2018.
YPSP provides a national platform for the voices of young people to be heard and valued in the sporting system. Crucial to the programme is that panel members have the opportunity to influence decision making and drive change in Scottish sport.
A National Lottery funded programme, the YPSP is part of sportscotland’s commitment to provide a legacy of confident and well-trained young people who will become the next generation of leaders to help take the sporting system forward.
The 14 YPSP members have made great strides during nearly two and a half years helping to influence and shape the future of sport and raising its profile.
They’ve had the opportunity to meet and present ideas to Sports Minister Joe Fitzpatrick as well as the sportscotland board. Panel members have also supported the decision making for sportscotland’s School Sport Awards programme and Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards.
The panel also continued to support Scottish sport during lockdown by helping the sportscotland and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) Walk and Talk campaign which helped keep Scotland physically active and connected with friends and family during lockdown.
Reflecting on her time in the panel, Glasgow Caledonian student Nicola is delighted to have had the experiences she has had as a YPSP member.
She said: “I joined the panel because I wanted the young people in Scotland to have their voices heard.
“The past two years have been an experience I will never forget. From black tie events to meeting with Stewart Harris or Joe Fitzpatrick. These opportunities would just not happen if it wasn’t for the Young People Sport Panel.”
Back in February, Nicola collected the sportscotland Scottish Sports Futures Awards Spirit of the Year Award at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow.
She added: “It’s amazing to know that we have made a real difference to the young people participating in sport in Scotland. We’ve run our Fit For Girls workshops and helped come up with the concept of Covid Ambassadors, which is now being used nationwide to allow people to safely return to sport. It has been an experience of a lifetime and has hopefully helped kickstart my career in sport.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland Stewart Harris, said: “I’ve never failed to be impressed by the commitment and passion for sport these panel members have shown, none more so than Nicola.
“They’ve been a credit to themselves throughout their time on the panel.
“I’d like to thank them all for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm for sport which has allowed them to make a big impression at local and national level and has left a positive impact on Scottish sport.
“The Young People’s Sport Panel is a programme we are very proud of and it has helped develop young people for eight years, it wouldn’t be possible without the National Lottery and lottery players.”