SSE is supporting the sporting stars of the future with their SSE Next Generation Ambassador programme through their partnership with SportsAid.
Jack Carlin is just one of 50 teenagers who will benefit from this scheme, which offers guidance and support to some of the country’s brightest sporting talents.
The 16 year-old track cyclist from Paisley has his sights set on competing internationally at a junior level this year. He has already achieved success across Great Britain and took home gold medals at the Scottish National Track Championships and School Games last year.
One advocate of the SSE Next Generation programme is six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, and Carlin admits he is more inspired than ever after meeting his idol.
The Gleniffer High School pupil who aims to emulate Hoy, said: “I met him and he’s a great guy. He was giving me tips on what to do and he knows what he is talking about, so I’m obviously going to take that on board.
“He was talking about my times and how they’re improving. He said he was about 21 when he was getting times I was getting now so it gives me confidence that I’m there or thereabouts.
“At the moment it’s just training, sprinting and cycling. There aren’t masses of races during the season, maybe five or six, so I just keep training hard and building muscle so I can get faster.
“We’ve got the Junior World Championships, the Junior European Championships and then the Youth Olympics this year – it’s good to aim big.”