Pupils at the three high schools in Dumbarton and the Vale have been chosen as SportScotland Young Ambassadors to encourage their classmates to get involved in sport.

The six teenagers aim to raise the profile of physical activity, encourage participation and give young people a voice.

Lewis Austin and Rowan Johnstone represent of Dumbarton Academy were chosen because of their continuous commitment to sport.

They have worked with the PE Department and West Dunbartonshire Leisure Active Schools team to promote sports leadership programmes to classmates, supported the school sports club and set up a school sports council.

Our Lady and St. Patrick’s High School’s ambassadors, Jennifer Flynn and Daniel Muirhead have undertaken a survey to find out what S1-S3 pupils’ think about PE and plan to act on this to improve physical activity levels in the school. The S4 duo are also planning to organise a staff v pupils fundraiser event later this year.

Dominic Donaldson and Eilidh Sinclair, the ambassadors at the Vale of Leven Academy, play a pivotal role within their school’s sports council.

They have recruited senior pupils to support extra-curricular clubs and encouraged classmates to attend dance, netball and Active Schools Sports Leadership Programmes. Netball leader Eilidh supports the weekly S1 and S2 netball club while footballer Dominic assists one of the younger teams in the school.

Councillor David McBride, vice-chairman of West Dunbartonshire Leisure, said: “These young people are an inspiration to those around them.

“They are actively encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle and at the same time developing their own leadership skills which will help them progress in sport and in their chosen career.”