Recruitment for the panel was met with an overwhelming response
The CIMSPA Youth Panel is CIMSPA’s core advisory group of young people. To ensure that young voices are empowered to influence sector decision-making, it represents students, graduates and career starters from across the UK and the whole sector.
Aged 16–25, the members meet regularly to share their perspectives on CIMSPA initiatives, sector developments and the workforce challenges and opportunities facing those entering the sport and physical activity sector.
Following the launch of the recruitment process, 30 young people were interviewed, each bringing a genuine passion for the sector along with unique experiences and perspectives. Every candidate was inspiring in their own way, making the selection process both exciting and incredibly difficult.
From the talented applicant pool, we selected 14 members to join the panel. Applicants who were not appointed to the panel have been invited to become part of the wider CIMSPA Youth Community, ensuring they can continue to contribute their voices and influence our work.
In addition, we are delighted to have welcomed seven sector professionals who have volunteered to act as mentors to the panel. These individuals will share their expertise and real-world experience, helping to support and guide our young members as they develop their understanding of careers within the sector.
Chief Executive Officer of CIMSPA Tara Dillon is delighted to welcome the new panel members to the organisation:
“To achieve our vision of creating an inclusive sector, it’s essential that we listen to young people and empower them to help shape that change. They offer unique perspectives around sector education, entry to the workforce and career pathways that will support CIMSPA’s work in many ways.
“The new Youth Panel members that we have appointed have shown a passion for sport and physical activity as well as a drive to develop the sector. They are all ready to work on both supporting their own future careers and delivering more opportunities for others. I look forward to seeing the fantastic things they will achieve as a group.”
Our new Youth Panel members
Beth Allan
Beth studies Sport Development at the University of the West of Scotland. An active sector volunteer, she is also a member of the Youth Sport Trust Youth Board and a volunteer community rugby coach, helping to develop the sport for secondary-school girls in her local area. Beth is keen to use her lived experience to support the panel and develop her knowledge of the sector.
Anna Billington
Anna is a final-year student at the University of Edinburgh. While studying Applied Sport Science, she also works part time as a gym assistant at the uni. As someone who is about to enter the sector workforce full time, Anna joined the Youth Panel to contribute to discussions surrounding career pathways for young people.
Isabelle Blount
Isabelle is a first-year liberal arts student at the University of Exeter. She majors in philosophy, and joined the panel to help ensure that the voices of young people within the sector are being accurately represented.
Adam Duthie
As part of his Applied Sport and Exercise Science studies, Adam is gaining experience as a project activator. Complimenting his degree at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Adam’s work placement enables him to support sector initiatives and help create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to be physically active.
Jamie Hamilton
Jamie is a qualified coach who works at Eastbourne Cricket Club alongside his Sports Management degree studies. He is also a member of several committees at the club and volunteers in roles at Eastbourne Tennis International and Beach Head Marathon, too. Passionate about increasing and diversifying access and opportunities in the sector, Jamie is keen to collaborate with other panel members to impact the future of sport and physical activity.
Henry Harper
While playing rugby at a semi-professional level, Henry is both a sports scholar and master’s student at the University of Birmingham. He has also volunteered in the sector as the university men’s rugby club’s treasurer and as part of an outreach programme in South Africa. Being able to guide the future direction of the sector has motivated Henry to join the panel.
George Mead
George is a Sport and Exercise Science student at the University of Surrey, currently on a placement year at Surrey Sports Park in the role of Sports Participation Coordinator. He joined the CIMSPA Youth Panel role to work with others and help shape the future of the sport and physical activity sector.
Scott Mustard
Scott dedicates a great deal of his time immersed in the sport and physical activity sector through a range of pursuits. As well as studying sport development, some of his experience includes founding a girl’s football club and being a member of sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport Panel. Scott joined the Youth Panel to share his views, opinions and experience to shape the future of the sector.
Tanishka Nahar
A master’s student at Loughborough University, Tanishka’s sector studies focus on using sport and physical activity to reduce inequality and improve community wellbeing. To expand on her study experience, so is also the chair of a student-led mental health organisation and team leader at Youth Sport Trust. She has joined the panel to support the meaningful inclusion of youth perspectives in sector decision-making.
Rashi Nambiar
Rashi is currently building experience working with young people across education, wellbeing and sport-based settings following her postgraduate studies in sport and exercise psychology in training. She joined the panel to contribute a perspective that connects psychology, real experiences of young people and the realities of how sport is actually accessed and experienced.
Seth Rennie-Roddy
Seth is an A-level student studying biology, geography and history. He is also a part-time tennis coaching assistant for children aged 4–15 years old. Seth joined the Youth Panel because he is very passionate about sport and fitness and wants to be involved in shaping the sector.
Pippa Webb
Pippa has participated in sports for most of her life, from Taekwondo to trampolining. She has now qualified as both a trampolining coach and judge and works with children in the sport alongside her BTEC diploma studies. As someone with dyspraxia, Pippa decided to join the Youth Panel to ensure that neurodivergent young people feel included and empowered in sport and physical activity.
Beth Wyatt
A highly sports-focused individual, Beth is currently studying Sports Business Management at the University of Lincoln. She has also completed an introduction to coaching course with The Football Association and gained experience as a referee in the sport. As a member of the Youth Panel, she aims to support others to enjoy community, belonging and inclusion opportunities within the sport and physical activity sector.
Grace Young
A student, ambassador and course representative, Grace plays an active role at Sheffield Hallam University. Alongside her studies, she has volunteered at major sporting events and is a qualified athletics coach working with young people across a range of disciplines and levels. Grace is passionate inspiring lasting engagement in sport and physical activity and has joined the Youth Panel to drive positive change and inclusivity in the sector.