West Lothian woman leading the future of Scottish sports

Laura Pilkington from Broxburn has been selected from 172 applicants as part of the Young People’s Sport Panel after a rigorous recruitment process

Laura Pilkington, 23, from Broxburn has been selected from 172 applicants to sit on the Young People’s Sport Panel.

The panel is funded by the national lottery and is run by sportscotland as part of their commitment to providing the next generation of leaders to help take the sporting system forward.

Alongside 19 other panelists, Miss Pilkington will hold the position for two years and is tasked with developing the future of Scottish sports.

Two other members come from Lothian including 16-year-old Jess Davies from Edinburgh and Hamilton based Ben Fitzpatrick, 20.

Miss Pilkington is currently studying Applied Sports and Exercise Science at Robert Gordon University

The second-year student is ‘very excited to get started in the new role and start influencing the direction of Scottish sports.

She said: “When I first saw the advertisement for the Young People’s Sport Panel I knew it was something I really wanted to be involved in. When I got the call, I was delighted to be chosen and very excited.

“I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the panel members, sharing experiences and working as a team to influence Scottish sport.”

The panel’s first meeting is scheduled for early December where the panel will get to know each other and the sportscotland team.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “I want to congratulate our 20 new panel members. They have already shown capability beyond their years by coming through an extremely challenging recruitment process.

“I look forward to working closely with them and hearing their ideas for how the sporting system in Scotland can improve, I have no doubt they will have a positive impact over the next two years.

“The Young People’s Sport Panel is a programme we are very proud of and it has helped develop young people for eight years, it wouldn’t be possible without the National Lottery and lottery players.”

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