Megan shares “incredible experience” as isles rep on Young People’s Sports Panel

The famous sport themed saying... “they think it’s all over....it is now” strikes a chord with Orphir’s Megan Clouston as her two-year tenure on sportscotland’s Young People’s Sports Panel has ended. 

Megan, who is a Youth and Family Engagement Worker at the Council, has spent the past 24 months championing Orkney with a focus on supported travel for athletes from the isles. 

She was one of three island representatives sitting on the panel for the first time and describes the past two years as having been “an incredible experience”. 

During her time on the panel, Megan supported and presented at the Sports Awards last year. She also assisted Active Schools and the Young Ambassador Programme local conference in 2023 continuing to inspire young people to follow a sporting volunteer route. 

The sports coach and volunteer said: “I was named School Sports Volunteer of the Year at the Orkney Sports Awards in 2020 and Young Volunteer of the Year in 2023 and was encouraged by others to put myself forward.  

“It was a very intense selection process, and I was delighted to be chosen to represent an island authority for the first time ever on the panel. It really has been an incredible experience, and whilst I have been taken out of my comfort zone on a number of occasions, this has seen me grow in confidence and develop my skills along the way. 

“As part of the panel, I wanted to make a difference for island travel. We created a questionnaire looking at what the actual issue is for people living in the islands. Was it cost, or how many days it takes you to travel or what sponsorship is available for people to apply for? 

“We put out the questionnaire just after the Orkney Sports Awards – it was really successful with nearly 300 responses. From that we collated all the information, put it into a presentation and we have had conversations with Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA); we are awaiting a meeting with the Transport Minister and Young Scot are also looking at how they can support us. 

“One of the main things that we were looking at was the under 22 entitlement card that Young Scot have for the buses – instead of creating anything different why not tag onto something that is already working and have that cohesion with Young Scot with the aim to extend that out for the boats. Even though my time on the panel is over, I am hoping to see that through to conclusion.” 

“The islanders definitely took a different dimension to the panel and others have been able to gain an insight into the additional challenges that we face and come on board with our particular campaigns.” 

Megan praised sportscotland for the support she has received throughout the panel journey. 

“I would urge anyone that is interested in making a difference in their community and have had those volunteering experiences within sport to give this a go. The panel selection process is closed for the next two years but think about it for the next one. 

“I have gained so much. For example, I really struggled with public speaking due to my dyslexia. Through my experiences on the panel, I have had to push myself and I am thankful for that opportunity. I could never have imagined being asked to host the Scottish Sports Futures Awards earlier this year, speaking in front of hundreds of people – but I did it. 

“I have made so many connections with other young like-minded people from across Scotland to Scottish Government Ministers and senior officials within Young Scot and sportscotland.  

“I have got a few plans up my sleeve about getting more young people involved in sport and making sure the youth voice is heard, which remains at the heart of everything that I do.” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “Being a member of the panel has clearly had a lasting impact on Megan and it’s great to hear her talk so positively about the past two years and to know that she intends to put that time to continue on with her aspirational work in sport.”