Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor is proud to be a mentor to the next generation of Great British athletes.
The retired competitive diver is the new adviser for SSE’s Next Generation programme – supporting the Commonwealth Games hopefuls of the future.
Leon is looking forward to sharing his extensive experience with rising sport stars and believes he can make a “massive difference” in young people’s lives by encouraging them to follow their dream.
The 36-year old, who mentored Tom Daley, said it’s important the athletes have someone to turn to during the good and the bad times.
Having spent over 16 years winning medals at major international competitions, his role as SSE Next Generation mentor, is a perfect match.
Leon said: “I think one of the things that I learnt over the years, as a young athlete, is that you can learn so much from those who’ve been there before you.
“And it’s not just about in the performance arena; it’s all the other challenges you face as a young athlete.
“I’m very passionate about my role as an SSE mentor.
“It’s something that if I look back on my career its one of the biggest differences, finding a great mentor.
“Someone who can be there when you’re finding it tough or can be there to keep you grounded when you’re going well can make a crucial difference.”
The SSE next generation programme provides vital financial assistance to young athletes aspiring to become professional sport stars.
Some of the athletes, who are currently part of the scheme, have made it to Glasgow 2014.
But for others, they’re setting their sights on the Olympics in Rio or the next Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast. And SSE is helping them along the way.
Leon will be leading workshops, where young athletes will learn about the pressures of competing and how to develop and grow.
“I would have loved it when I was a young athlete, to get access to the kind of workshops and information that SSE provides” he added.
“The support helps as well; just knowing that other people in different sports are finding the same things hard or the same things easy. Just sharing the experience can make a massive difference.
“It’s nice to know that other people, who are being supported like you, are going through the same things.”
Leon, who began diving competitively at the tender age of eight, won a Silver medal in the men’s synchronised 10 metre platform, at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
When he returned he met a young boy, who shared his passion for diving.
“Many years ago I had the pleasure of meeting someone at the age of ten and at the time I was his hero, his name was Tom Daley,” Leon added.
“I was so impressed by this young man that I decided that I would offer up myself as a mentor, to try and share with him my experiences.
“Since then I’ve mentored many young athletes across a whole multitude of sports.
“It’s fantastic to give something back.”