Lead 2014 is inviting every secondary school in Scotland to send a selection of young people to take part in one of six free conferences in universities across the country.

University students will lead workshops on event management to inspire the younger students to subsequently organise and deliver Commonwealth Games-themed sports festivals within their own school community.

Parallel workshops will also be run for teachers highlighting the ways in which they can support teams comprising young leaders.

The conferences, organised by sportscotland and Youth Sport Trust in association with Glasgow 2014, take place during March and April and are aimed at young people aged 14 and over.

Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "Creating the next generation of leaders and volunteers in sport is a vital part of our work.

"Lead 2014 represents a fantastic opportunity to ensure that, through sport and the exciting opportunity of Glasgow 2014, young people can learn and develop skills which are vital throughout life, such as teamwork, financial management and communication."

Chair of sportscotland, Louise Martin, added: "With the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, sportscotland recognises the importance of harnessing and nurturing the enthusiasm of thousands of young Scots.

"Scotland's younger generation will be given the tools and endless encouragement to use their own initiative to host events across the country and play an active part in celebrating the coming of the Games."

Glasgow 2014 chief executive John Scott said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for more young people to get involved with Glasgow 2014.

"The Commonwealth Games is about Glasgow having a responsibility to deliver a large multi-sport event on a world stage.

"Lead 2014 aims to extend these lessons to young people across Scotland and I am sure they will rise to the challenge."