26/08/2026
Young People Go Beyond the Podium at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Eleven young people from four secondary schools across Scotland were given a unique opportunity to step behind the scenes at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as part of the inaugural Beyond the Podium programme, an innovative social impact initiative designed to inspire the next generation of professionals working in elite sport.
Developed through a partnership between Portobello High School, representatives from Commonwealth Games Scotland and from the Collaboration for Impact (CfI) Headteacher network, the pilot programme aims to broaden young people's understanding of the diverse range of careers that support athletes beyond competition.
Rather than focusing solely on those standing on the podium, the experience showcased the extensive team of professionals working behind the scenes, including careers in sports medicine, physiotherapy, sports psychology, nutrition, athlete support, logistics, corporate events, sports development and performance services.
The day began at Team Scotland House, where participants attended a special event hosted by sportscotland. Although many of the young people arrived feeling understandably nervous, they quickly found themselves engaging confidently with leaders from across Scottish sport.
The group had the opportunity to meet and speak with Maree Todd MSP, Dame Katherine Grainger, Olympic gold medallist and Chair of UK Sport, alongside a wide range of professionals working within high-performance sport.
Participants were then welcomed into the Team Scotland VIP area, where they met several Scottish athletes, including members of the Scottish men's gymnastics team, before attending both the Netball and Athletics competitions to witness world-class sport first-hand.
Throughout the day, young people were encouraged to ask questions, explore career pathways and gain an understanding of the qualifications, skills and experiences required to work within elite sporting environments.
One of the most powerful discussions came during a conversation with Dame Katherine Grainger, who highlighted the challenges facing school sport across Scotland and the continued decline in participation in physical activity, particularly amongst girls. The discussion resonated strongly with the group, prompting thoughtful conversations about how schools and sporting organisations can work together to create more inclusive opportunities for young people.
A participant reflected:
"Meeting Dame Katherine Grainger really made me think about how important school sport is. It isn't just about producing elite athletes; it's about giving every young person the opportunity to find something they enjoy, build confidence and be active. I'd love to see schools continue to create more opportunities for everyone to take part."
Jon Twynham, Head of Physiotherapy for Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and one of the programmes founders, welcomed the opportunity to support the programme.
"It was fantastic to host the young people for the day and share with them the excitement surrounding the Commonwealth Games here in Glasgow, alongside the many different roles that contribute to supporting our athletes. The young people were incredibly inquisitive, asked thoughtful questions and showed a genuine enthusiasm to learn more about the different professions and career pathways available within high-performance sport. Hopefully this experience has inspired some of them to consider careers they may never previously have imagined."
Lily Carroll, an S6 student from Portobello High School, said the experience had transformed her understanding of careers in sport.
"It was a fantastic event that really shone a light on the huge range of careers connected to sport. Before today I mainly thought about coaching or physiotherapy, but hearing from professionals working in so many different roles made me realise just how many opportunities there are. It has definitely given me lots to think about for the future."
Greg McDowall, Headteacher of Portobello High School and another of the programme's founders, said the pilot demonstrated the power of creating opportunities that many young people would not otherwise experience.
"Beyond the Podium is about much more than careers education. It is about opening doors, raising aspirations and helping young people realise that there are countless opportunities to contribute to elite sport beyond competing as an athlete. Many young people simply don't have access to the professional networks that can inspire and support their ambitions. By bringing together schools, universities and sporting organisations, we can help remove some of those barriers and create opportunities that have the potential to change lives."
Following the success of the pilot, partners are now exploring plans to expand Beyond the Podium into a national social impact programme. The next phase will introduce Beyond the Podium Mentors – Opening Doors to Opportunity, connecting professionals working in elite sport with small groups of young people in schools across Scotland to provide ongoing mentoring, career guidance and access to professional networks.
The ambition is to create a lasting Commonwealth Games legacy that extends well beyond the closing ceremony, inspiring the next generation of Scotland's sporting workforce and ensuring that talented young people, regardless of background, have the opportunity to pursue careers in sport, health and performance.
