TWO teenagers from East Renfrewshire have been handed a key role in developing Scottish sport.

Barrhead girl Kira Henry and Fiona Waddell, from Giffnock, are among just 20 candidates from across Scotland to be chosen by sportscotland for its next Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP).

Over the next two years, they will provide a voice for young people to shape the future of sport in this country and raise its profile.

Kira, 17, and 19-year-old Fiona Waddell were selected from 172 applicants to be part of the fifth cohort of the YPSP after a rigorous recruitment process.

The initiative is led by sportscotland, which is the national agency for sport, and supported by the Young Scot charity.

Barrhead High pupil Kira, who represents her school at football and basketball, said: “When I heard that I had successfully gained a place on the Young People’s Sport Panel, I couldn’t believe it.

“I can’t wait to get involved with the rest of the panel to help improve sport in Scotland.”

Fiona is in her second year of a psychology course at St Andrew’s University, where she also plays for the basketball team.

She said: “I feel really fortunate to be given the opportunity to be part of a panel that can make so much positive change.

“Sport has had such a big impact on my life and I’m really looking forward to working with the rest of the panel to continue to provide these experiences to other young people in Scotland.”

The panel’s first meeting is scheduled for this month, when members will get to know each other and the sportscotland team.