Young Start and Young Person’s Sports Panel Residential February 2023

The Young Start and Young Person’s Sports Panel residential took place on 11th and 12th February 2023 at the SportScotland National Training Centre in Largs. It was a very fun and productive 2 days with 16 young people in attendance across both programs.

After arriving and having lunch on Saturday one of our YPSP members Grace Stirling led the group in an icebreaker activity so that each of the two groups could get to know each other.

After this the group dived straight into a session with Scott Tait about filming social media content on their phones. YPSP member Abby Cook also delivered a presentation about how to use TikTok and the benefits of being fun and short and snappy on social media. The group went off to film some of their own content with one of their TikTok’s being posted on SDS social media gaining huge popularity and being viewed thousands of times!

At the end of the day everyone took part in a boccia leaders’ course with lots of creativity and great coaching skills being developed. This means the whole group will gain their boccia leaders award.

In the evening everyone headed out for a well-earned dinner at tony macaroni in Largs.

YS and YPSP at Tony Macaroni in Largs
On Sunday morning everyone was up bright and early for breakfast followed by some future planning where ideas were brainstormed for the next period of the young start program. Lots of great ideas were discussed with a particular focus on making sure all people with disabilities can still access sport despite the cost-of-living crisis.

Our final activity of the weekend was a brilliant goalball session delivered by YPSP member Samantha Gough. This was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and for many was their first opportunity to try the sport and Samantha did a great job of making it a fun session for all.

A huge thanks must go to the National Lottery who have funded the SDS Young Start program for the past 6 years.

Overall there was lots to take away from the two days together and everyone gave it their all and had a great time!