TWO Musselburgh swimmers are helping to shape the future of disability sport in Scotland.

Neil Ferguson, 18, and Samantha Louise Gough, 17, members of Musselburgh Amateur Swimming Club (MASC), have been appointed to the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) Young Persons Sport Panel.

Joining a group of 12 other young people aged 16 to 22 from across Scotland, they will attend quarterly meetings and commit several hours each month to making a positive difference to disability sport in Scotland.

Neil and Samantha will work alongside other young enthusiastic members and, with their knowledge and experience of disability sport, will help shape the future of disability sport in Scotland.

The panel enables young people with a disability to be heard and influence the planning and delivery of all aspects of Scottish Disability Sport’s work.

The SDS Young Persons Sport Panel was established in late 2015 with 12 members who have already made a massive contribution to disability sport in the last four years.

Danny Kirkham, head coach at MASC, also known as Musselburgh Marlins, said: “We are delighted to hear that two of our MASC swimmers have been selected to sit on the panel and we are immensely proud of this achievement and know they will represent themselves and Musselburgh ASC with distinction.

“Neil and Samantha are both hugely passionate, committed and enthusiastic individuals who share a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience of disability sport and I am sure their impact will be a positive one for disability sport. Both swimmers have achieved their own sporting success in recent years and continue to compete and train at a very high level today.

“Neil is part of the Scottish para-swimming squad and regularly competes at competitions across the country. Samantha, having only recently started competing in swimming, has made tremendous progress and set a number of new personal best times.

“Samantha also competes in goalball at a British level and was recently awarded the Lothian Disability Sport Young Sports Person Award.

“There is no doubt Neil and Samantha will be fantastic ambassadors for Scottish Disability Sport on the Young Persons Sport Panel and we are delighted they will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in disability sport in Scotland.

“Both Neil and Samantha are passionate about doing their bit to encourage others with disabilities to seek opportunities, overcome obstacles and fulfil their own dreams.”