Scottish Disability Sport announces third Young Person’s Sports Panel

Group photo of YPSP

After the success of the first and second cohort of the Young Persons Sport Panel (YPSP), Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to announce the recruitment of a third Young Persons Sport Panel. The new panel is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and will be made up of 14 young people aged 14 and 22 who come with a huge amount of enthusiasm, knowledge and experiences to help shape the future of disability sport in Scotland.

“SDS is delighted to welcome the latest intake into the Young Persons Sport Panel, which has become a vital consultation forum and development group for the Association. The new panel members come from a diverse range of backgrounds but all bring a passion for their sport and a determination to change culture around disability and inclusion. Their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm will be massive benefit to the work of SDS.” – Gavin MacLeod, SDS CEO

The new YPSP members are:

A huge thank you must go to the previous YPSP cohort 2020-2023:

  • Thomas Boers (Grampian)
  • Neil Ferguson (Lothian)
  • Hayden Keir (Dumfries and Galloway)
  • Rory McKinna (Ayrshire)
  • Abby Cook (Forth Valley)
  • Fiona Rogers (South Lanarkshire)
  • Caitlyn Ross (Forth Valley)
  • Grace Stirling (Forth Valley)
  • Craig Smith (Glasgow)
  • Matthew Wynne (East Refrewshire)
  • Laura Pilkington (Lothian)
  • Callum Sloan (Fife)
  • Maria Lyle (Lothian)
  • Murran MacKay (Angus)
  • Cadyn Thomson (Perth and Kinross)

The previous panel have been an asset to SDS being the driving force behind the Wheels to Stadium. speaking at events, promoting SDS and athletes on social media, working with branches and key partners to make sport more inclusive for all. Some of the previous panel will now transition into becoming mentors for the new group and support with the programming of the YPSP.

Previous panel member Grace Stirling shared her thoughts: “I’ve loved being part of the SDS YPSP! It’s been a great opportunity to meet other young people with a disability who also have similar passions and interests – many of them have become great friends! I really enjoyed being given a platform where I could share my experiences within sport and be able to make a difference to disability sport in Scotland. The panel has given me so much knowledge, skills and experiences which have set me up well to take on so many different opportunities in the future. My time on the panel has opened so many doors for me!”

For more information on the SDS Young Person’s Sports Panel please contact Craig Smith at: craig.smith@scottishdisabilitysport.com