The new members of the Panel include players, match officials and coaches with a wide range of experiences in rugby, heralding from across the country.

Appointed for the next two seasons, the Youth Panel will provide a platform for youth perspectives to be listened to and understood. The group will also provide influence on a number of Scottish Rugby decisions as they work alongside the Rugby Development department.

Gav Scott, Director of Rugby Development at Scottish Rugby said: “I am delighted to see the relaunch and subsequent appointment of the members of Scottish Rugby’s Youth Panel. The Panel provides an excellent opportunity for young people to have meaningful discussions regarding the impact that Scottish Rugby decisions have on our young people, whilst also contributing to and influencing positive change within Scottish Rugby.

“I am really looking forward to working alongside these passionate young people, who I know will bring lots of creative ideas to the table on how we can continue to best support our clubs, schools and societies.”

Meet the Youth Panel

Callum Caldwell: Waysiders Drumpellier, Glasgow North

Callum first picked up a rugby ball with Waysiders Drumpellier when he was just seven years old. Now aged 19, Callum has progressed through their youth pathway and now plays for the Senior 1XV.

In between that time, Callum has gained his Level 1 qualifications in both Coaching and Match Officiating. He’s been putting his whistle to the test for the club since he was 16. More recently, Callum has been coaching the U13 Boys side at the club, and has grown the team from four players to 15 in one season.

The former Coatbridge High School student also used his coaching skills whilst as a player for the team and supported local primary schools with coaching too.

Abi Barrett: Biggar, Glasgow North

From dancing, karate, swimming and tennis, Abi Barrett has just about tried every sport and she’s liked them, but never loved them. But when Abi’s brother encouraged her to try rugby, she finally found a sport to love.

Abi was invited to join a high-performance programme at her local club, Biggar, and since then has flourished as a player.

The 16-year-old aspires to support other young girls in her local area to engage in rugby to help grow the game.

Charlotte Campbell: Cartha Queen’s Park Glasgow North

Charlotte Campbell’s journey in rugby started when she was 8-years-old at Paisley RFC. Aged 15, she went on to gain her Level 1 (Coaching Essentials) qualification and she chose to apply her new skills with the youth touch rugby team.

Now aged 16, Charlotte has taken her passion for playing and coaching to Cartha Queen’s Park, where she aims to use her role not only to support other players improve their skills, but also act as a role model for younger girls.

Jack Brown: George Watsons College, East

Jack Brown is a lover of all sport, and over the years has settled on football, swimming and rugby as his passions.

Jack (17) is currently the captain of George Watsons College 1XV U18 Boys side.

The full-back has come a long way since first picking up a ball at the age of eight, earning a spot in Scotland’s U18 Men’s squad during this year’s Six Nations festival and the summer training camp against Wales and Italy.

When Jack isn’t on the field as a player, he’s involved as the Chairperson for his school’s Sports Council, and supports with coaching youth rugby, football and holiday sports camps utilising his experience.

Ellie-Jo Simpson: Perthshire RFC, Caledonia Midlands

Ellie-Jo first picked up a rugby ball in 2017, starting out with Dundee Rugby Club. Since then, she has gone on to captain the Tayside U16 Girls team leading them to victories in the National Shield and Caledonia Shield finals.

When Ellie-Jo isn’t playing, she can often be found volunteering her time as a coach. Last year she began coaching the S1-S2 boys rugby team at her school.

More recently the 16-year-old has been working with Perthshire Rugby Club to support the recruitment and development of their girls’ section.

Hollie Howland: Falkirk High School, Caledonia Midlands

Hollie’s first sporting love was gymnastics, taking it up aged just three. Training to a high level, she still coach’s gymnastics to this day. But when she started at Falkirk High School the 16-year-old found a new passion – rugby.

Hollie got involved with the School of Rugby programme, which is supported by CashBack for Communities. Flourishing from the mental and physical benefits of the game, Hollie was appointed as a Rugby Ambassador for the programme, and she now uses this role to inspire other people in her school and local community to engage with rugby.

The Falkirk High team captain has also played for her local team, the Kelpies and now plays with Stirling County.

Murray Oliver: Kirkcaldy/Strathallan, Caledonia Midlands

Murray Oliver’s passion for rugby knows no limits. From playing to refereeing and coaching, Murray also supports his local club with social media and events, and can usually be found running water or the touch line at senior fixtures.

Having started his rugby journey at the age of three, Murray has gone on to captain his Regional U18 team and has been involved with the Scotland U17 and U18 training groups.

Murray’s refereeing career has really taken off, officiating across all ages including senior men and women at regional competition level.

Calum Wehmeyer: Panel Match Official, East

Calum Wehmeyer’s passion for officiating began when he was 16 years old and living in South Africa. Calum was motivated to pick up the whistle after a neck injury put a stop to his playing career.

At this young age, his love for refereeing saw him join the refereeing society at his school, supporting the planning and delivery of upwards of 20 games a week.

Now in Scotland, Calum has worked his way up the ranks to become a Panel Match Official, supporting games all across the country.

Scarlett Crossan: Edinburgh Harlequins, East

Hailing from Dumfrieshire, Scarlett Crossan’s rugby journey first began when she was 9 years old, starting with the Langholm Minis team.

Moving onto the Gala Vixens and East Lothian Girls between U12 and U16 ages, Scarlett now plays her rugby with Edinburgh Harlequins U18 side.

When Scarlett isn’t on the pitch, she volunteers her time with Langholm Rugby Club as a youth coach where she has completed more than 100 hours of work for her Saltire Award.

Georgina Adams: University of Edinburgh Rugby, East

Originally heralding from Perth, Georgina Adams first began playing rugby at the age of 10. Although an injury to the knee stopped Georgina from playing, her love of the game led her to coaching.

Since completing her Level 2 (Aspiring Coaching) course last year, Georgina has gone on to support women’s teams including Lismore and Queen Margaret University. In addition, Georgina provided coaching at Scottish Rugby’s Player Development Hubs for the East region, supporting hubs U15 boys and U16 girls.

The 19-year-old is now lending her coaching expertise to the University of Edinburgh Rugby as an Assistant Coach to the Women’s 2XV.

Morgyn Brown: Fraserburgh RFC, Caledonia North

Growing up in Fraserburgh, Morgyn Brown tried lots of sports including swimming, football, basketball and karate, but felt she had never found her place. That was until 2019, when she started playing rugby at Fraserburgh RFC.

In the three years since she started playing, Morgyn has gone on to complete her Level 2 (Aspiring Coaching) qualification and has been supporting the club to introduce rugby to the curriculum at her local primary school and academy.

Hamish Kennedy: Lochaber RFC, Caledonia North

17-year-old Hamish Kennedy began his rugby career with Lochaber RFC when he was in Primary 3, and has been involved with the club ever since, having most recently captained the U18 side.

Looking to expand his skillset, Hamish recently completed his Level 1 (Coaching Essentials) course in to begin to leading rugby sessions at his local primary school, high school at club. Coach has allowed Hamish to gather up volunteering hours to contribute towards his Sports Leaders Award and Duke of Edinburgh Award.

In addition, the keen shinty player also recently coached his high school’s S1-3 Inter-school tag rugby tournament where his school finished in second place.

Josh Andrew: Ellon RFC, Caledonia North

Josh has been a lover of sports since he was a young boy, involved in judo, badminton, football and rugby.

Starting out at Banff RFC in 2008, Josh (18) is now playing his senior rugby with Ellon RFC.

Josh’s passion for the game doesn’t stop at playing. Over the years he has supported local clubs including Banff and Huntly with refereeing and coaching, working with various age groups from minis through to U16.

More recently, Josh has taken on a role to support better transition and communication between the boys U18 at Ellon team and the Senior squad at the club.

Alan Cruickshanks: Paisley RFC, Glasgow South

Alan Cruickshanks has been a member of Paisley RFC since he was 11-years-old. Alan spent two seasons captaining a combined Paisley/Bishopton team at U14 level before playing with Garnock’s U16 side.

Just before the pandemic, Alan unfortunately took unwell, and so he looked to shift his involvement in rugby from playing to coaching and refereeing.

Now aged 17, Alan completed his Level 1 coaching and match officiating qualifications at the earliest opportunity following the pandemic, and since then has been involved as a referee covering a number of youth tournaments for the club, and volunteering his time to support with coaching.

Jay McGuffie: Dumfries Saints, Glasgow South

Jay McGuffie has been involved in rugby for most of his life playing with Dumfries Saints and his former Secondary school, North West Community Campus.

Now 23-year-old, the scrum-half turns out for Dumfries Saints most weekends in the Tennent’s National League Division 2 league.

Besides playing, Jay also has a wealth of experience as a volunteer, supporting with coaching around local schools as well as officiating matches for players from minis through to U18 level.

Molly Russell: Dumfries Saints, Glasgow South

Molly Russell (16) first dipped her toes into the waters of rugby in S1 when some community coaches came into her local school of Wallace Hall Academy.

Having started out as a competitive swimmer, Molly soon shifted her focus to rugby. Three years on, Molly is now starting out for Dumfries Saints U18 team and is looking to inspire others girls around her along the way.