Commonwealth Project For Teens

Young people are being encouraged to get involved in the build-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Organisers believe it can give them confidence and skills to be future leaders, creating a legacy beyond sport for the Games.

A programme called Lead 2014 is being launched today and will involve a series of conferences at Scottish universities where secondary school children will work with tutors to plan and organise their own sporting event before hosting it at their school. It will also lead to many getting involved in the volunteer effort around the 2014 Glasgow event, organisers hope. 

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said:"Lead 2014 is a call to action and a fantastic chance for us to empower young people as part of the Glasgow 2014 journey and further enable the legacy these Games will leave. "By using sport as a platform to enthuse the students and pupils about leadership, volunteering, sport, health and well-being we can instil a desire to be part of the Games and the broader Commonwealth, playing an active role in their communities. "I truly hope we will see many of them engage with other Glasgow 2014 activity and other major events in years to come.'' 

The conferences will focus on communicating through social media to reach as many young people as possible. The programme is being in partnership by sportscotland, Youth Sport Trust and Glasgow 2014. John Steele, chief executive of Youth Sport Trust, said: "Sport has an incredible power to inspire young people and support them to achieve their personal best in life. "Through Lead 2014 we are developing leaders and volunteers of the future who can demonstrate the positive impact of sport and will go on to become positive role models to others.'' 

Seven conferences will be held at universities across the country throughout March. Many university students are already involved in the programme. 

Volunteer Taylor Sexton said: "I first got involved in the Lead 2014 programme in 2011 through my university, University of the West of Scotland. ``As an events student, I have a passion for organising and planning and with a keen interest in sport, the Lead 2014 programme provided me with the opportunity to combine two of my interests. "The sports conference day itself was huge for me and I learned ways to improve my leadership skills, but the main benefit for me was it boosted my confidence. 'As the Games are fast approaching, I would encourage everyone to be involved and Lead 2014 is a great way to do so.''