Spotlight on Women and Girls in Sport - Megan Clouston

Throughout March, sportscotland is raising the profile of women in sport. In Orkney, there are many women who continue to break down barriers. 

Megan Clouston is working hard to reduce barriers to islanders participating in sport, thanks to her representation on sportscotland’s national Young People’s Sport Panel.  

The 20-year-old from Orphir is using her voice on the panel to try and shape, influence and raise the profile of the future of sport.  

Megan's appointment saw her become one of three island representatives to sit on the Panel for the first time ever.  

A sports coach and volunteer, Megan travelled to Glasgow at the end of February to host the Scottish Sports Futures awards. The evening was an emotional and inspiring event celebrating the work being done with young people and communities that are vulnerable or at risk.  

Megan said: “It was a great honour to be asked to be part of the event and a privilege to witness so many inspirational young people receiving recognition for their efforts in changing the lives of other young people through the power of sport.”  

Megan, an early years’ practitioner at Orphir Primary School, was first recognised at Kirkwall Grammar School while taking part in a Sports Leaders UK course, during her third year. She was recognised for her notable leadership skills and ability to motivate others.  

She progressed in S4 to becoming a sportscotland Young Ambassador, planning, promoting, and delivering activities to her peers and became a voice for young people in her school. 

Megan went from strength to strength, developing her skills, taking part in national qualifications to aid her coaching, and is working towards becoming a fitness coach for Orkney Dance and Fitness.   

Always driven to succeed, Megan applied to become part of the sportscotland Young People’s Sport Panel in 2022 and underwent a vigorous selection process, to join the cohort of 20 candidates.  

Regularly attending meetings online and travelling for development days and residentials, Megan has become embedded in the programme and is working to create more affordable travel for athletes, clubs and coaches from Orkney, Shetland and Arran.  

If you would be willing to help Megan with data collection for accessible and affordable travel, please see link to survey below https://tinyurl.com/yek5ehfj 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “Sport has such a positive role to play in society. Encouraging involvement from an early age can have numerous physical, social and wellbeing benefits, kickstarting positive habits from outset that will often last a lifetime.  

“Megan is clearly making strides in terms of placing Orkney on the sporting map and we at the Council wish her every success moving forward.” 

Thanks must go to the Active Schools team here in Orkney who coordinate and help deliver both the Sports Leader and Young Ambassador programmes mentioned. 

For more: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=6909