A MEMBER of a Dunfermline-based swimming club has landed a role in helping shape the future of sport across Scotland.

Molly Sands, who is part of Fife Synchronised Swimming Club, is one of 20 young people chosen to sit on sportscotland's Young People's Sport Panel (YPSP) for the next two years.

The 14-year-old, who is from Perth, is one of the youngest members of the panel, which was whittled down from 172 applications following a rigorous recruitment process.

Molly joins 19-year-old University of Stirling student Paige Boyle, from Kelty, on the group, which works to provide a voice for young people to influence and shape the future of sport across the country.

The panel, which is the fifth to have been chosen as part of the initiative supported by Young Scot, will also strive to raise the profile of sport while giving young people the chance to be heard, influence decision-making and drive change across the sporting system.

Molly commented: "I'm really excited to be a member of the panel and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to help shape the way sport is done and viewed in Scotland."

Fife Synchronised Swimming Club secretary Michelle Williamson said: "Molly is the only synchronised swimmer on the panel and she is also one of the youngest as most of the other representatives are at university.

"Molly currently trains with Fife Synchronised Swimming Club at Carnegie and Kirkcaldy pools and has attended several competitions with the club over her time there; only last year, she was selected to train with the Scottish national synchronised swimming squad.

"Molly always works hard, balancing school work with her hockey and synchronised swimming training. She also finds time to volunteer with a local charity SHIP (Support, Help and Integration in Perthshire) and we’re delighted that she has gained a place on the panel.

"We are so proud of Molly and wish her every success."

Last year, Molly and Eva Williamson were the first from Fife Synchronised Swimming Club to be selected to train with a national squad.

The club, which holds training sessions at Carnegie Leisure Centre on Mondays, welcomes both boys and girls and is one of eight synchronised swimming clubs across Scotland.

For more information, find them on Facebook or visit https://fifesynchro.org/.

Young people aged between 14-23, from 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas, applied to take part and online interviews were held in July and September.

A National Lottery-funded programme, the YPSP is part of sportscotland’s commitment to provide a legacy of confident and well-trained young people who will become the next generation of leaders to help take the sporting system forward.