Sporty pair sign up to help youngsters
Nicola and Ryan join sportscotland panel
Two young people from Stirling and Clackmannanshire have joined a forum which aims to help shape the future of sport in Scotland.
Nicola McDonald, 20, from Dunblane, and 17-year-old Ryan Kellock, from Coalsnaughton, have joined sportscotland’s young peoples sports panel.
The appointment puts them and fellow panel members close to the heart of decision-making in sport in Scotland.
Ex-Alva Academy pupil Ryan, a football referee, is looking forward to working with the panel.
Former Dunblane High pupil Nicola is a multi-sport coach with Active Stirling. Her sport is gymnastics.
She said: “As part of the sports panel, our aim is to get the voices of young people living in Scotland heard and try to make a difference to sport in this country.
“Sport has always been a huge part of my life, from participating at a young age to coaching it now.
“I have always enjoyed every aspect of it and it’s something that I feel very passionate about.
“Throughout school I was not very academic and found learning in a classroom boring.
“I love being active and learn better that way. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do after I left school . My PE teacher suggested I apply for a modern apprenticeship at Active Stirling and it was the best thing I could have done.
“I was a multi-sports modern apprentice mainly focusing on early years.
“I learned lots more about sport and received an insight into sports I had never heard of. I also learned a lot more about coaching a wide range of age groups and abilities. But I mainly learned more about myself. Every day I was meeting new people who shared my passion for sport and it encouraged me to continue my career path in sports.”
Nicola went on to study sports coaching at Forth Valley College and is currently in the second year of an HND course.
She explained her passion for sports had opened up other opportunities including spending the summer coaching football in California.
sportscotland said: “Central to the programme is the principle that the views of young people are heard and valued and they have the opportunity to influence decision making and drive change.”
Members of the panel undertake a number of responsibilities including project work, speaking at events, consulting on new programmes and initiatives and contributing articles.