Age
20

Hometown
Glasgow

Branch
Disability Sport Glasgow

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
I started playing tennis when I was 8 years old. Our local club ran a taster session at my primary school and I loved it. I joined the club and their coaching programme and have been playing tennis ever since. When I was 15 I found out about the Learning Disability programme for tennis, I have progressed under that scheme and I am now part of the Great Britain National squad.

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
Tennis has given me lots of opportunities and has made a huge difference in my life. I would like to help raise awareness and promote disability sport.

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability
sport?
I would like more people to be aware of disability sport, the opportunities that exist and to recognise the achievements that can be made.

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
Last year I won the GB Singles and Doubles player of the year for LD tennis and won bronze in the National championships. This year I qualified for the ‘Play you way to Wimbledon’ tournament. It was really special to play on the grass courts and be made to feel so welcome at Wimbledon.

What are your goals and aspirations?
To win a medal for my country at an international tournament. It would be great to see Scotland as part of the Special Olympics.

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
This year I was selected for the GB team participating in the Virtus Global Games in Vichy. This was my first international experience, it was amazing to play against the top players in the world and I was delighted to finish in the top ten.

Is there a role model that inspires you and why?
Andy Murray! He is the most committed, hardworking player who never gives up

Age
20

Hometown
Greenock

Branch
Disability Sport Glasgow

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
Was involved with football from a young age and have tried a variety of sports

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
To get involved with more sports

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability sport?Make sports more accessible for young people with disabilities

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
Was captain of football team played rugby with school team

What are your goals and aspirations?
To keep fit and active and find a sport I really enjoy

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
Being captain of football team

Age
17

Hometown
Grangemouth

Branch
Forth Valley Disability Sport

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
I compete in a variety of sports such as: Bowls, Boccia, Swimming & Athletics.

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
I was motivated because I want branches around the country to become more exposed to the organisation.

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability sport?
Organise participants into their rightful categories.

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
My main sports are: Bowls Boccia, Swimming & Athletics.

What are your goals and aspirations?
My goals are to attend the Olympic Games someday in the foreseeable future, record a song & become a world chef overtime.

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
When I was 12 years old I attended the 40th anniversary Olympic Games in Stirling and participated in Bowls to achieve a gold medal.

Is there a role model that inspires you and why?
I have gained Bowls and Boccia qualifications throughout this year and my active schools coordinator hired me to volunteer at Grangemouth Sport Complex every Monday afternoon.

Age
16

Hometown
Glenrothes

Branch
Disability Sport Fife

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
I got involved to get fit and active and enjoy most sports – always willing to try something new

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
I want to help get other people involved in sports no matter their ability. I would like
to be a voice for those with hidden and learning disabilities.

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability sport?
Unlimited access to sport and coaching and support to be your best.

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
Winning 5 medals at this years Learning Disability Summer Games. Being selected to do a Career Ready Programme. Being asked to be a player /coach for my local para football team. Winning the Fife Voluntary Action, “Active” volunteer of the year this year which was a mainstream category.

What are your goals and aspirations?
To represent my country or team GB. For Scotland to become part of the Special Olympics

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
See highlights

Is there a role model that inspires you and why?
Duncan Scott – he gives me inspiration to always try
my best

Age
14

Hometown
Fife

Branch
Disability Sport Fife

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
When I was young I was in mainstream sports and they did not adjust to my needs so I joined DSF and they changed my life.

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
I want to change disabled sports so people don’t have to go through what I went through

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability
sport?
Get more people involved

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
Motivating people to try there hardest when they feel like giving up

What are your goals and aspirations?
My goals are to change sport for disabled people so they don’t feel alone in sport

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
My biggest sporting achievement is getting to where I am now because I think that has really motivated me in life

Age
16

Hometown
Alness

Branch
Highland Disability Sport

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?

Since a young age I have been involved in sports and loved it

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
To be able to make people more aware of disability sports

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability
sport?
More of disability sports in schools

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
The disability sports summer camp

What are your goals and aspirations?
To make people more involved with disability sports

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
Getting a B in higher PE

Is there a role model that inspires you and why?
Emma Imrie she never lets anything stop her from achieving her goals

Age
21

Pronouns 

They/them

Hometown
Midlothian

Branch
Disability Sport Glasgow

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
Growing up I was very sporty and took part in dance, swimming, netball, trampoline, and many
more! As a teenager I got really into coaching and volunteered for Active Schools and Beeslack
All Stars DSC, as well as teaching dance as my first ever job. When I got to university I joined the
Trampoline team and quickly joined their committee, realising how rewarding sports development
is.

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
I am so passionate about further promoting disability sports opportunities and thought the SDS YPSP was a great way to channel that into real change.

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability sport?
I would love to create more opportunities for disability sport at university and colleges, promoting further training for student coaches and mixed recreational training sessions. I want to show sports organisations the multitude of ways they can be more inclusive across the board.

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
My biggest highlight as to be captaining the Glasgow University Trampoline Club to their first League Cup win in nine years! It was such a great team effort and I was so proud of everyone.My time with GUTC has been amazing and I have learned so much from all my different committee roles. Going on from this to chair SSS Trampoline and organising and running all the SST events has been such a fun new challenge, especially running our 3-day international open event!

What are your goals and aspirations?
I am currently working towards my Masters in Primary Education at the University of Glasgow, and hope to specialise further in ASN education.

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
At the 2022 GUSA Ball I was so proud to receive the Justin Langham Sport Development Award, as well as my University colours, for my outstanding contributions to the development of club sport. It was such a surprise!!

Is there a role model that inspires you and why?
As a non-binary person there are very few queer role models in sport, but I hope that over time there will be more to cheer on!

Age
17

Hometown
Edinburgh

Branch
Lothian Disability Sport

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?

My parents took me to watch football from a very young age, so I jumped at the chance to start playing at primary school. I’ve been playing with my local team for about 8 years now, and I started playing autism football at Team United 2 years ago.

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
I am really passionate about sport and disability rights, so when I saw the panel being advertised, I was really intrigued. I felt like it was somewhere I could bring my passions and use them to make a difference.

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability sport?
I really want to widen access for young people. I’ve seen first-hand how good an impact sport can have on your health and wellbeing, and I want even more young people to realise this and get opportunities to play.

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
At U15s, I was accepted into the Edinburgh Sports Academy, and I was playing in the National Performance League. I trained 6 times a week, and I loved every minute of it. It was such a great experience to be playing with, and against, the best young footballers in Scotland.

What are your goals and aspirations?
I really want to continue playing football at university, and I’ve got my eye on a few new sports for fun too. At university, I am going to study psychology and sociology, and I want to use my degree to help make lives better for disabled children across Scotland.

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
I would say my best achievement was an essay I wrote about my experience of school with undiagnosed autism. It has been used for teacher training in a range of schools, and I’ve got a lot of positive feedback from families of autistic young people too. From this, I started writing a blog, and I’m really proud of how I am sharing my experience as a young, disabled woman.