A STEVENSTON teen has been selected from hundreds of applicants and will now help shape the future of sport in Scotland.

Connor Paterson, 19, is one of a 20-strong group selected to join sportscotland's Young People's Sport Panel (YPSP).

Those on the panel will play a key role in influencing and shaping the future of sport over the next two years.

The YPSP is a National Lottery-funded programme and is integral to sportscotland’s commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders in sport.

Now entering its 11th year, the YPSP is also supported by Young Scot, with panel members working together to influence decision making and drive change in Scottish sport.

And Connor can now look forward to the panel's first meeting in the new year - having made his way through an arduous recruitment process.

This started in August, where over 136 applications were submitted from applicants between the ages of 14 and 23.

Interviews then took place over the course of October and November, with the final panel members being selected this month.

Interim chief executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “I want to congratulate all 20 of our new panel members and welcome them to the sportscotland family.

"They should all be extremely proud of themselves for coming through a challenging recruitment process.

“Along with the rest of the team at sportscotland, I am looking forward to working with them and hearing their thoughts and ideas on how we can further improve the sporting system.

"We are incredibly proud of the Young People’s Sport Panel programme which is delivered thanks to the support Young Scot and the National Lottery and lottery players.’’

Kirsten Urquhart, chief executive of Young Scot, added: “The Young People’s Sport Panel is fundamental in putting youth voices at the heart of Scottish sport – and I am thrilled to welcome this new team of inspiring young people who now have the opportunity to influence and drive inclusive change across sport."