Megan Clouston, from Orphir, has wrapped up an extraordinary two years as a member of sportscotland’s Young People’s Sports Panel, leaving a legacy of advocacy and inspiration for athletes from Scotland’s islands.
The Youth and Family Engagement Worker at the Council was one of three island representatives on the panel, the first time the islands had this level of representation.
Megan has spent her tenure focused on improving travel support for athletes living in remote areas, describing the experience as “incredible.”
Megan’s passion for sports volunteering is well-known locally.
Named School Sports Volunteer of the Year in 2020 and Young Volunteer of the Year in 2023, she used this recognition to fuel her application to the prestigious panel.
“It was a very intense selection process,” she shared, “but I was thrilled to be chosen to represent an island authority.
“It has taken me out of my comfort zone, but that’s where growth happens.”
One of Megan’s standout contributions was leading efforts to address the unique challenges island athletes face, particularly around travel.
She spearheaded a questionnaire, gathering nearly 300 responses to identify barriers such as costs, time commitments, and lack of sponsorship opportunities.
Megan and her fellow panellists collated this data into a presentation, taking it to national organisations including CoSLA and Young Scot.
“We’re pushing for the under-22 Young Scot travel card, which currently covers buses, to be extended to ferries,” she explained.
“Why reinvent the wheel when we can expand something that already works?”
Megan’s work didn’t stop there.
She supported the Orkney Sports Awards and collaborated with Active Schools and the Young Ambassador Programme, inspiring others to explore volunteering in sport.
Her public speaking skills, once a personal challenge due to dyslexia, have flourished during her time on the panel.
Earlier this year, she hosted the Scottish Sports Futures Awards, speaking confidently before hundreds of attendees.
The panel experience has also been a platform for Megan to showcase the resilience and resourcefulness of island communities.
“Being from the islands added a unique dimension to the panel,” she said.
“It helped others understand the challenges we face, and many were quick to support our campaigns.”
Megan’s journey hasn’t ended with her tenure.
She plans to continue championing young voices in sport, building on the connections she’s made with national leaders and organisations.
“I’ve gained so much from this experience and would encourage anyone with a passion for volunteering in sport to consider applying to the panel when the next round opens.”
Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, praised Megan’s work.
“Her time on the panel has clearly been transformative, not just for herself but for the wider community,” she said.
Megan’s story is a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when given a platform—and her legacy is sure to inspire the next generation of change-makers in sport.
