Holly became part of the Netball Leadership Academy in June 2025, although netball is not her first sport she wanted to gain knowledge in order to coach younger pupils at Inverclyde Academy. This would enable them to take part in Inverclyde Active Schools new S1/2 netball league. Holly dedicated over 30 hours of her own time to gain more netball knowledge and complete her QS Level 6 Leadership Award. This provided her with the skills to enable her to coach the younger pupils at Inverclyde Academy, she provided training sessions each week after school and prepared the pupils to play matches against local secondary schools. In addition to her role within her secondary school she also gave up more of her time to go along and help out at a local primary school, these combined roles meant she gave over 50 hours of coaching to young girls in our local schools, giving them the opportunity to take part in extra circular sessions, and providing them with the skills to give them the confidence to play netball in a competitive environment.

 

 

In addition to the hours dedicated to coaching netball Holly also volunteered to help officiate at the primary netball events which take place after school. She contributed over 20 hours to these events in addition to umpiring her own school netball games contributing another 10 hours.
Holly is also an ice skater who not only commits a number of hours to her own training, but can be seen on the ice rink dedicating her own time to helping the younger children, in both competitive and non-competitive classes. Holly gives her time selflessly and is always willing to help out in anyway she can, this has seen her confidence grow, in sports which aren’t where her comforts lie. She has pushed herself outside her comfort zone which has allowed her to give more girls, who wouldn’t otherwise, have the opportunity to take part in both sessions and competitions.
In total Holly has committed 110 hours of her own time.

Kiera has been a volunteer coach with Inverclyde Athletics Club since she was 12 years old and has now dedicated almost four years to supporting young athletes within the club. During the 2025/2026 season, she continued her role coaching the Mini Athletes group, working with children from Primary 1 to Primary 4 on a weekly basis.
Throughout the 2025/2026 season, Kiera has attended and supported weekly coaching sessions for the club's Primary 1 to Primary 4 athletes. She volunteers for approximately one hour each week during term time, while also giving additional time during school holiday athletics camps and supporting club events throughout the year. These events have included cross-country and track and field competitions, where she has assisted in coaching and marshalling roles.
Kiera's role involves helping to plan and deliver engaging training sessions, supporting young athletes to learn new skills, build confidence and enjoy being active. She works closely with the coaching team and demonstrates maturity, responsibility and enthusiasm well beyond her years.
Alongside her volunteering commitment, Kiera is an athlete herself, training three times per week and competing regularly. Despite balancing school, examinations, training and competition commitments, she has maintained her dedication to volunteering throughout the season and has remained a reliable and valued member of the coaching team.
During the 2025/2026 season, Kiera also successfully completed the sportscotland Sports Leaders qualification through Active Schools. This has enhanced her coaching, leadership, communication and safeguarding knowledge and enabled her to further develop in her volunteer role.
Kiera's commitment to volunteering is driven by her passion for athletics and her desire to help young children enjoy the sport. Her long-term dedication, reliability and willingness to give her time to support others make her an outstanding young volunteer within Inverclyde sport.

 

 

By the age of 15, Kiera has accumulated almost four years of volunteer coaching experience, making her one of the most experienced young volunteers within the club. Throughout the 2025/2026 season, Kiera has had a positive impact on both Inverclyde Athletics Club and the young athletes she supports. Through her weekly work with the Mini Athletes group, she has helped create a welcoming, enjoyable and supportive environment where children can develop fundamental athletics skills, confidence and a lifelong enjoyment of sport.
As a young volunteer and active athlete herself, Kiera is a relatable role model for the children she coaches. Her enthusiasm, energy and passion for athletics help inspire younger participants and demonstrate the opportunities that sport can provide. She shows that young people can make a meaningful contribution to their sporting community while continuing to pursue their own athletic goals.
One of Kiera's most significant achievements this season was completing the sportscotland Sports Leaders qualification through Active Schools. She has used the skills and knowledge gained from this qualification to further enhance the quality of support she provides within coaching sessions and club activities.
Kiera's influence extends beyond her direct coaching role. Through her commitment and positive example, she has encouraged some of her fellow athletes and friends to become involved in volunteering, helping to develop the next generation of young leaders within the club.
Her contribution has also supported the continued delivery of athletics opportunities for young children in Inverclyde through weekly coaching sessions, holiday camps and club events. By giving her time, energy and enthusiasm, she has helped ensure that young athletes have positive experiences within the sport and feel encouraged to continue participating.
Kiera's impact is not measured by a single achievement, but by her consistent dedication, leadership and willingness to give back to her community. She has made a meaningful difference to the experiences of young athletes throughout the season and is a deserving candidate for the Young Volunteer Award.
While Kiera's impact during the 2025/2026 season has been significant, it is built upon almost four years of continuous volunteering. Starting at just 12 years old, she has become a familiar and trusted role model for young athletes entering the club.

As the Young Sports Ambassador for Clydeview Academy, a Sportscotland nationwide programme, and Sports Leader, John has shown a motivation and desire to impact school sport at Clydeview Academy. He introduced and led the Lunchtime Table Tennis Club twice a week for the full Term 1 and Term 2. He also ran competitions and events for those that attended throughout the year, and eventually expanded from S1/2s only, to groups of seniors attending and taking part. In Term 1 alone he had 52 distinct participants attend the club, and in Term 2 he had 63 distinct participants, showing the impact he had on the extra curricular timetable at Clydeview.
He also helped to plan and run the S1/2 Gladiator Games at Clydeview - a fun multi-age stage obstacle type event - while also being the event compere alongside his other YA Amie.
He, alongside Amie, supported the schools Sportscotland "School Sport Award" application, resulting in achieving Gold (being one of only two secondaries in Inverclyde) - while having a big part to play in the celebration event as Young Ambassador, helping to plan and present on the schools achievements on the day.
On top of this he went out of his way to volunteer to deliver at the Active Schools Disability Festival and at St Joseph's Primary School, taking the lead in delivery of their after-school football club over 2 terms. He planned all sessions, and lead a larger group of Sports Leaders to support him in the delivery every week, showing consistency and maturity.
John was also part of a larger group of sports leaders who attended their feeder primary schools during their periods off in school, to support their curricular PE classes. The group were keen to enhance the young participants' experiences and learn from the class teachers on what is expected within a class environment.
Finally, John also does a lot outside of the school environment, frequently seeking out new ways to develop his leadership skills, and has just completed his Level 2 Tennis Coaching Qualification with Fort Matilda Tennis Club and continues as a paid assistant tennis coach at the club in his free time.

 

 

John's impact as a young ambassador and sports leader in his own school has particular emphasis, with many extra curricular clubs being created and led by John himself, giving up his own time to enhance the sporting experience of all pupils at Clydeview Academy. The reason he has grown the table tennis club is to ensure EVERYONE has an extra curricular club that they can feel comfortable attending - no matter their age, level of experience or ability.
Over and above his curricular delivery, he frequently sought out other experiences and requested to deliver an after-school football club at St Joseph's Primary School. Such was the popularity of the club that attendances stayed high throughout the programme, and several of John's Sports Leader classmates asked to support him at the popular and successful club.
Without John's commitment to his role as volunteer coach, several of these clubs would not have been to take place.

Leigh has been an invaluable member of our Active Schools team over the past three years, consistently demonstrating commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership as a volunteer coach. Aspiring to a career in sport, she has embraced every opportunity to develop her coaching skills while making a positive and lasting impact on young people across Inverclyde.
She began as a volunteer supporting after-school sessions and holiday programmes, quickly establishing herself as reliable, enthusiastic, and capable. Through her school’s Sports Leadership Programme, she gained the confidence and skills to independently plan and deliver engaging activities.
Leigh went on to successfully run a weekly after-school club in a cluster primary school, where she planned, delivered, and evaluated sessions independently. She created a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment, building strong relationships with pupils and staff and becoming a highly respected coach within the school community.
Leigh  volunteers while balancing academic studies, a part-time job, and her own competitive sport. As Sports Young Ambassador, she has championed inclusion and participation, notably leading a highly successful Active Girls Day that inspired many young people to become more active and confident in sport.
Leigh’s dedication, leadership, and commitment of her own time have made a significant contribution to sport in Inverclyde.

 

 

Leigh consistently demonstrates exceptional commitment and enthusiasm by volunteering her time to deliver dance, sport, and physical activity sessions for children and young people. Her passion for creating opportunities ensures that pupils of all ages can access a diverse range of engaging activities that promote both physical health and emotional wellbeing.

At the heart of Leigh's delivery is a genuine desire to enable every child to experience the benefits of being active. Through her work across both primary and secondary settings, she creates inclusive, welcoming, and safe environments where every participant feels valued, supported, and encouraged to achieve their potential. Her ability to inspire confidence and foster a sense of belonging ensures that children and young people, regardless of ability or background, are empowered to participate, develop new skills, and enjoy being physically active.

Leigh's unwavering dedication, compassionate approach, and commitment to inclusion have made a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of the young people she supports, making her an outstanding candidate for this award.

Freya is an S5 pupil at Clydeview Academy. She started her volunteering journey as an S3 Legacy Leader and has continued by completing her Level 5 Sports Leader and Level 6 Leadership award as a netball leader. This year alone she has contributed over 100 volunteer hours in our school and local community whilst studying for her Highers.
Freya is a talented footballer, playing with St Mirren as well as the Paisley and District regional schools u18 team, recently signing on as a scholarship prospect with Five Star events. She balances her own academic and sporting commitments with her role as a volunteer coach.
Freya takes 2 extra-curricular clubs and teams at Clydeview Academy, after school netball and girls football, contributing over 25hrs to our extra-curricular programme. She plans and delivers training sessions as well as helps to select teams and supports at matches and competitions. As well as her extra-curricular sessions, Freya has given much needed support to younger pupils within PE classes during her free time, displaying maturity and compassion way beyond her years. This has been greatly appreciated by PE staff and pupils alike.
Freya also coaches the Morton in the community u10’s girls team in their training sessions and matches.
Freya has become a superb role model for her peers, demonstrating how one young person can make a meaningful and lasting contribution to their community.

 

 

I am delighted to nominate Freya as Young Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her exceptional dedication, enthusiasm and positive impact on our community. Freya is a fantastic role model for all pupils, a shining example of our school values of commitment, determination, integrity and respect. So many pupils have been able to participate in sport through opportunities provided by Freya, over 30 pupils attending her sessions on a weekly basis.  Her enthusiasm and passion for sport is evident in all that she does, building great relationships with everyone that she works with, showing empathy and care for all pupils that she supports.
To continue her own sporting ambitions, playing football and netball at the level she does and yet continuing to find the time to give back to her school and community is inspiring to all those around her. Over 100 voluntary hours in this year alone speaks volumes, she has been doing this for 3yrs and is still only 16.
Freya helps to mentor younger pupils, supporting them on their first steps into volunteering and coaching, inspiring and motivating in her own inimitable style.
Freya is a fantastic ambassador for sport and physical activity within Clydeview and Inverclyde and her selflessness, dedication, and outstanding service embodies the true spirit of volunteering. I wholeheartedly recommend Freya for the Young Volunteer of the Year Award.