In 2020 I took over as the chair of the Football vs Homophobia youth panel and this was a unique experience because the majority of my first term has had to be conducted on a virtual platform.

My biggest highlight of the last year was interviewing Harry Baker a Cerebral Palsy England international footballer.

The reason why it’s is my biggest highlight is because we were able to have an in-depth conversation on a virtual platform about issues that affect young people with disabilities on a daily basis.

This interview reminded me that I am not the only young person who faces these types of challenges regularly.

I wish that I had had the opportunity to have interviewed a panel of disabled footballers as part of the month of action.

I have absolutely loved supporting the youth panel members to become the best young leaders that they possibly can.

At every youth panel meeting since I took over as chair the members l have delighted me with what they have been able to achieve. 

When I took over as the chair of the panel I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the Youth Panel and the role because I have never chaired a national panel before.

I have been supported by the team who lead the Youth Panel to understand my role and what is expected of me.

My favourite duty as chair of the Youth Panel is delivering and planning our meetings because it allows me to be creative.

I have been able to develop my leadership skills by chairing this incredible Youth Panel as I believe that I am becoming the best leader I possibly can.

I am so excited to see what the youth panel achieves over the coming months as we continue our incredible work as a group.

I have absolutely loved planning the youth panel meetings so that the members get the most out of our monthly catch ups.

As I was writing this piece I started to consider advice I would offer a young person who might be reading it and I came up with the following:

Always aspire to be yourself and seek help if you require it because I have suffered in silence and it is not a very nice feeling.

There are a number of organizations out their who will be able to offer you support with what you are struggling with.

If you are still in education you can speak to a member of staff at your school, college or university as they will be able to help you with any of the issues that you are experiencing.

If they are not able to help you directly with these things then they will know somebody or something that will be able to help you.

To end this blog I would simply like to say a massive thank you to the Football vs Homophobia Youth Panel for all the incredible work that they have produced during the last year.

It has been an honour to be your chair during these very difficult times and I am looking forward to seeing what the next year has in store for us.

Written by FvH Youth Panel Chair, Cameron Wood.