Hearing your voice: Cohort Two announced for our Young People’s Forum

Friday 1st December 2023

scottishathletics are pleased to confirm Cohort Two for the Athletics Trust Scotland Young People’s Forum – one of our key development projects.

The recruitment process for Cohort Two began in October 2023, with 46 applications received from young people aged 14-23 hoping to be successful in gaining one of the 15 places on the Forum.

Interviews at the beginning of November saw a very high calibre of candidates join the process.

We are delighted to confirm the following young people were duly offered the opportunity to join:

Jedidah Ajala (16, Edinburgh AC)
Mhairi Ballantyne (16, Kilmarnock Harriers)
Danny Convery (14, Edinburgh AC)
Naideen Dailly* (16, North Ayrshire AC)
Annastacia Hinde (16, Victoria Park City of Glasgow)
Hannah McGeehan (20, Inverclyde AC)
Harris Morrison (18, Greenock Glenpark Harriers)
Tammy Oshinowo (14, Aberdeen AAC)
Erin Quinn* (17, Victoria Park City of Glasgow / Cumbria School of Hammer)
Katie Sandilands* (16, Fife AC)
Mollie Mae Scott (16, Cambuslang Harriers)
Kayleigh Simpson (14, Arbroath and District AC)
Orla Stewart (16, Victoria Park City of Glasgow)
Abigail Strath (19, Lothian Running Club / Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds)
Lidya Woldeselassie (14, Shettleston Harriers / Red Star AC)

*Following the recruitment process, three members from Cohort One were successful in being offered a place to stay on for another two-year term with Cohort Two.

Members of the YPF gather at their conference earlier in the year with Eilidh Doyle (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Six members from Cohort One are also staying on as Mentors:

Jessica Robson
Oscar Logan
Chloe Emordy
Natalie Sharp
Callum Ballantyne
Morgan McBurnie

The ATS YPF was created to help and advise scottishathletics on engaging with young people more effectively around developments within athletics and the wider sport and to give young people a voice.

The ambition is for the Young People’s Forum to play an active role in scottishathletics initiatives, to widen their impact, coverage and assist with decision-making which impacts young people within the sport.

The induction for Cohort Two will take place online the week commencing December 11 and the first face-to-face meeting will be held on Sunday 14 January.

The aims will be to continue to look at the mental health and the retention of young people in athletics. These aims will be added to as the second cohort gets more established.

We asked the members who reapplied, and those who are staying on as Mentors for quotes on why they wanted to stay on the Forum for Cohort Two:

‘I decided to stay on as mentor so that I can pass my experience and knowledge on and give a helping hand with the new Cohort.’

Callum Ballantyne – Mentor

‘To help young people along their leadership journey and becoming more involved within different aspects of athletics.’

Natalie Sharp – Mentor

‘I reapplied for the Forum as I loved being part of cohort 1. I have gained so many new experiences and achievements since being on the Forum. The Forum has helped boost my confidence, mental attitude etc, and has helped me gain so many new friendships and connections with amazing people.’

Erin Quinn – Member

‘I met so many wonderful people from all over Scotland and we worked hard together with a common interest in promoting young voices in Scottish athletics.’

Katie Sandilands – Member

‘I reapplied for the Forum as I wanted to continue to give young people a voice in sport and help them see the opportunities available to them. I also want to play a part in encouraging children to take part in a sport.’

Naideen Dailly – Member

‘I wanted to stay on as a mentor to experience a new dimension of the YPF while remaining connected to the Forum.’

Oscar Logan – Mentor