COMMONWEALTH GAMES NEWSLETTER ISSUE 21 – WINTER 2013

Jon Doig and Elinor Middlemiss celebrate with the first selected athletes

First athletes selected for 2014

There was much excitement when with only 300 days to go until the start of the qualifying standard performances Glasgow 2014 , Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) after missing out on the European U23 announced the first athletes to be selected to represent Team Scotland. Championships earlier in the summer and is one of only two men’s track After a busy and successful summer of extremely pleased that Team Scotland representatives announced so far, along sporting action across all 17 sports on the selection is now underway with the first with USA based Chris O’Hare in the 1500m. Games programme, athletes from four 36 athletes booking their places for sports have now produced the necessary Glasgow. We have witnessed some amazing Team Scotland is also set to be well performances to lay claim to a coveted performances from athletes this summer, represented on the track in the Para-Sport place on the Team, for what promises to be striving to secure their places to compete events for the very first time. Libby Clegg an amazing home Games. at our home Games next year. will compete in the T12 100m and would love to add to her collection of major In September, Scottish Athletics had 23 “Congratulations to all of them. They can championship medals when she makes athletes named alongside four squash now go into their winter training period her debut for Scotland in Glasgow. Libby players. Then a month later, eight shooters fully focused on reaching their peak next won silver at the Paralympics in London and one triathlete joined them and a total July in front of an enthusiastic home and then two more at the IPC World of 21 will make their Commonwealth Games crowd. I am also confident that over the Championships in Lyon over 100m and debut in Glasgow. Of the 36 selected so far, next nine months they will be joined by a 200m this summer. 20 are women. record number of fellow Scots, as we aim to have our largest and most successful team 20-year-old Meggan Dawson-Farrell is an Making the announcement Team Scotland ever at Glasgow 2014.” established world-class wheelchair athlete Chef de Mission, Jon Doig said: “I am who will compete in the T54 1500m, where The first athletes with their names inked she will be joined by 17-year-old Samantha on the team sheet were runners Kinghorn, the youngest athlete to be Susan Partridge and Derek Hawkins, selected so far. Sammi’s achievements who posted the required times back in since taking up the sport 12 months ago April at the . Whilst on are nothing short of remarkable, going the track Scotland’s women have had a from a beginner to a fully stellar season with 2010 silver medallist fledged international 400m hurdler Eilidh Child, Eilish McColgan ranked second in in the steeplechase and Laura Muir at Europe in her T53 800m and 1500m all making their mark in classification. She international competition. will compete up a classification in Samantha Scotland’s 800m champion Guy Glasgow. Kinghorn Learmonth posted two late-season Alford’s Shona Marshall who took silver in the clay target trap event in Delhi has assured her place following two World Cup top eight finishes this year. She has been a regular contender on the Great Britain team over the last two years, just missing out 36 SELECTED on London 2012. ATHLETES Caroline Brownlie will make her second Games ATHLETICS (23): appearance in Glasgow Susan Partridge, Marathon; Derek in the 10m air pistol, Hawkins, Marathon; Libby Clegg, T12 100m; Eilidh Child, 400m Hurdles; Guy having secured her place Jennifer McIntosh Learmonth 800m; Chris O’Hare 1500m; in June when she set a Laura Muir, 1500m; Meggan Dawson- new Scottish record on Farrell, T54 1500m; Samantha Kinghorn, The growing strength of Scottish athletes the way to winning the British Pistol Club T54 1500m; Eilish McColgan 3000m in field events shows in the 11 athletes who Championships. She also got her first GB Steeplechase; Laura Whittle, 5000m; also booked their places. They include call-up this year. Stephanie Twell, 5000m; Mark Dry, three hammer throwers, with Mark Dry Hammer; Andrew Frost, Hammer; Susan heading the Commonwealth rankings; Sian Bruce is the only new face amongst McKelvie, Hammer; Nicholas Percy, Discus; Allan Smith, High Jump; David the shooters announced so far. The 20 four high jumpers; two long jumpers and Smith, High Jump; Jayne Nisbet, High the new Scottish record holder in the year old from Dundee will make her Games Jump; Emma Nuttall, High Jump; Jade pole vault, Jax Thoirs. 18-year-old Nick debut in the clay target skeet event. Sian Nimmo, Long Jump; Sarah Warnock, Long Percy from the Isle of Wight, a double Jump; Jax Thoirs, Pole Vault; Women’s Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Sian Bruce 4x400m Relay from 2011, qualifies in the discus, having successfully stepped up to senior level. SQUASH (4): Alan Clyne, Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, The four squash players confirmed, Mixed Doubles; Harry Leitch, Men’s have great experience particularly in Doubles; Frania Gillen-Buchert, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles; Alexandra Clark, doubles events, with three of them having Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles represented Team Scotland before at a total of five Commonwealth Games. After SHOOTING (8): finishing just outside the medals in Delhi, Jonathan Hammond, Small Bore Rifle they are determined to go at least one - 50m Rifle 3P; Neil Stirton, Small better. Alan Clyne will compete in all three Bore Rifle - 50m Rifle Prone ; Jennifer events including the men’s singles, whilst McIntosh, Small Bore Rifle - 10m Air Rifle Harry Leitch and Alex Clark will compete & 50m Rifle 3P; Caroline Brownlie, Pistol in doubles and Frania Gillen-Buchert in -10m Air Pistol; Shona Marshall, Clay women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Target - Trap; Sian Bruce, Clay Target - Skeet; Angus McLeod, Full Bore Rifle – Queen’s Prize Individual & Pairs; Ian Shaw, The strength of Scotland’s shooters is Full Bore Rifle – Queen’s Prize Individual evident, with six of the eight athletes & Pairs announced having contributed to all nine was European U21 Champion in 2010 shooting medals won at Delhi 2010, helping and finished 7th at both U21 World and TRIATHLON (1): shooting to finish as Scotland’s top sport at European Championships this year in what David McNamee, Individual Standard Race the Games. will be her last year as a junior.

Heading the shooting line-up are the most Triathlon makes a welcome return to the The next athlete selections will take place successful male and female athletes overall Commonwealth Games for a third time in March 2014 building towards the full from Delhi 2010, in Jonathan Hammond in Glasgow, having first been included on team announcement on 12 June just over a and Jennifer McIntosh. They won an the programme in 2002, then month before the Games. impressive total of seven medals between in 2006. For Glasgow 2014 an them in small bore rifle events including exciting new mixed team relay event will four gold. Both went on to represent Team follow the individual men’s and women’s GB at London 2012 and they are hoping races, which are the first medal events of for another successful hopme Games next the Games on day one. year, despite pairs events being removed thereby reducing medal opportunities. Scotland number one, David McNamee, has had an outstanding 2013 posting Other shooters selected include Delhi three top ten finishes in the Triathlon ITU medallists Neil Stirton who won gold and World Championship Series and has been bronze in the 50m rifle prone pairs and rewarded with early selection as a result. 50m rifle 3 position pairs (with Jonathan Originally from Irvine and an Accountancy Hammond), building on his silver medal graduate from the University of Stirling, from the . Ian David now trains down in Leeds as part of Shaw and Angus McLeod who took silver the GB programme with the world’s top two in the full bore rifle pairs in Delhi have triathletes, the Brownlie brothers who look David McNamee 2 also booked their passage. set to be wearing England vests next July. Looking great at the Games!

Team Scotland plans to have a stunning new look, when as the home team we are last to enter Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony on 23 July 2014.

Internationally known textile designer and artist, Jilli Blackwood has been commissioned by CGS to bring some contemporary style and flair to the parade uniforms and ensure that when the eyes of Glasgow visit sees team the world are on Scotland they live up to expectations. preparations progress The process has involved extensive athlete consultation and the specially designed team tartan is now being woven at a secret In October over 40 Team officials critical in maintaining the positive working location in the north of Scotland. CGS has including sport team managers, relationships developed so far and ensured that all the uniform has been coaches, medical, media staff and ensuring our requirements are understood, sourced in Scotland, from design to final general team management conducted as well as highlighting what will also be of production. importance to other CGAs. the second of our site visits to Plans are also well underway for the team’s Glasgow and the satellite area at Also of significant importance is the ability leisurewear and earlier this year ASICS, Barry Buddon. to develop and live out our team ethos, the performance sportswear brand, were ensuring that 17 sports perform as one announced as the supplier of official Team The purpose of the visit was to review team in Glasgow. Commenting, Jon Doig, Scotland kit. preparations for the Games and input Chef De Mission said: ”It was particularly into discussions with key Glasgow 2014 pleasing to see that a number of points They have been commissioned to produce personnel. The visit also provided the made at our previous visit in May 2013 a range of high quality teamwear, which will opportunity for a focus on the development have been picked up and addressed be worn by athletes, coaches and support of team policies and procedures and our by Glasgow 2014 staff. Lessons from staff. The technical apparel range has a team vision of 17 Sports One Team. London 2012 show that the home Games strong appearance with distinctive ‘Saltire’ advantage is not automatic and it is critical blue, and white lead colours, in-keeping Reflecting the importance of a well we understand how the very familiar with Team Scotland’s heritage. functioning village environment to team environment of the Glasgow Games will performance, this visit included an change come Games time so we can make The range supplied to the team aims to extensive viewing of the accommodation the necessary adaptations.” meet all the leisure requirements of our assigned to Team Scotland. This has athletes including the team tracksuit now enabled us to confirm a number of The second round of Mission 2014 which will be proudly worn during medal requests relating to provision of support meetings with sports and the ceremonies. for our Para-Sport athletes, our team sportscotland Institute of Sport have also HQ, medical and media requirements. been completed this autumn, enabling The meetings with counterparts across financial, personnel and equipment the Glasgow 2014 functional areas are resources to be targeted effectively.

Opposition revealed for hockey and netball

Following the official draws by the international federations of netball and hockey, Team Scotland now know who they will face in the preliminary group phase of their respective competitions at Glasgow 2014 next summer.

In netball Scotland was drawn Day 2 Fri 25 July 17.00-18.30 Scotland v St Lucia in Pool A alongside New Day 3 Sat 26 July 11.30-13.00 Scotland v New Zealand Zealand, Jamaica, Malawi, Day 4 Sun 27 July 09.30-11.00 Jamaica v Scotland Northern Ireland and St Lucia Day 6 Tues 29 July 19.00-20.30 Malawi v Scotland and will play as follows: Day 7 Wed 30 July 17.00-18.30 Scotland v Northern Ireland

In hockey there are tough Day 2 Fri 25 July 11.00-12.30 South Africa v Scotland - Men draws for the men’s and 16.00–17.30 Scotland v Malaysia - Women women’s team, with Australia Day 3 Sat 26 July 16.00-17.30 India v Scotland - Men the dominant force in Day 4 Sun 27 July 09.00-10.30 Scotland v Australia - Women Commonwealth Games to be Day 5 Mon 28 July 11.00-12.30 Scotland v Wales - Men faced by both at the purpose 16.00-17.30 Wales v Scotland - Women built Glasgow Hockey Centre. Day 7 Wed 30 July 09.00-10.30 Scotland v England - Women Day 8 Thurs 31 July 14.00-15.30 Australia v Scotland - Men 3 The Queen’s Baton Relay

Unveiled, en route and Allan Wells MBE with honorary batonbearer Monica Dzonzi, UNICEF coming to a place near you! youth ambassador from Malawi

Since 1958, the Queen’s Baton Relay has August at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum, Once again sprint legend Allan Wells MBE been an integral part of the Commonwealth when it was formally presented to Lord was at the forefront of proceedings and Games. The baton’s journey symbolises Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of Glasgow was the first athlete to receive the baton the unity and shared ideals of the 2014, by Scotland’s most successful from The Queen and he was joined by Commonwealth of Nations, and enables Commonwealth Games athlete of all time honorary batonbearer Monica Dzonzi, communities beyond the Host City to share and Glasgow 2014 Ambassador, Allan Wells UNICEF youth ambassador from Malawi. It the Games celebrations and for Glasgow MBE. Significantly, Allan was the final was then passed to further batonbearers 2014 the plans are bolder and better than batonbearer at the last Commonwealth ever before. Games on Scottish soil in Edinburgh in Daniel Purvis 1986. In 1958, for the VI British Empire and Commonwealth Games in , Her The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s baton was Majesty The Queen handed over at designed by Glasgow-based 4c Design Buckingham Palace, a specially designed and it embodies Glasgow and Scotland’s baton, containing her message to be culture, history and innovation. At the carried by a series of runners to Cardiff. It heart of the baton is the Queen’s message, was presented at the Opening Ceremony inscribed on a parchment scroll and held and the message read to all assembled in in a transparent cylinder within a pure the stadium and it is now an integral part of titanium latticework frame. It is illuminated every Games. from within by LED lights, yet unreadable until the Opening Ceremony. The baton for the Glasgow was unveiled in The lattice frame takes inspiration from Glasgow’s rich industrial and architectural Sir Chris Hoy heritage, whilst the baton’s handle is made of elm wood sourced from the Isle of Cumbrae – a tribute to Scotland’s natural representing Team Scotland: Olympic resources. And to top it off, the baton swimmer and double Commonwealth gold contains a granite ‘gemstone’ from Ailsa medallist Caitlin McLatchey; gymnast Craig in the Firth of Clyde which will be and Olympic bronze medallist Daniel gifted to each nation and territory. Purvis along with young athletes from the Glasgow School of Sport: gymnast Cara Her Majesty The Queen launched the Kennedy; triple jumper Morgan McKinnon; Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay on its swimmer Ruairi Kirkwood. global journey on 9 October in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace attended by some of The baton then spent the following day in Scotland’s greatest athletes, inspirational Scotland where other prospective Team young people and senior representatives Scotland athletes helped to announce from across the Commonwealth. the route it will take around Scotland next June. It then left from Glasgow Crowds gathered outside the Palace as the Airport for Delhi – host city of the 2010 celebrations began when Sir Chris Hoy, Commonwealth Games and onwards to six-time Olympic gold medallist and double visit every nation and territory of the Commonwealth champion was the baton’s Commonwealth over a 288 day journey, special escort. He made the processional covering more than 118,000 miles. The journey to the ceremony accompanied by baton is relayed on its journey by Emirates, the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion the Official Airline of the Queen’s Baton Scots Guards and the 1st Battalion the Relay and an Official Partner of Glasgow Royal Regiment of Scotland. 2014. 4 Chairman’s view

It is with great excitement that we look forward to 2014 and the culmination of 12 years of planning by CGS.

I have no doubt that Glasgow will be a fantastic Games and with Team Scotland selection underway, you can be assured we are doing everything possible to create the ideal environment for our Team Scotland hopefuls team to perform with distinction and Russell Weir, Marc Austin, Ross Murdoch and Bev Campbell have our most successful Games next at the route announcement summer.

The final lap of the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay will be We continue to work closely with the sportscotland Institute of Sport, focused its last 40 days travelling the length and breadth of Scotland. on delivering high quality support services to our athletes, including at From 14 June 2014 and for the following This epic journey will come to an end our pre-Games Preparation Camp at the 40 days, the Queen’s baton will travel on 23 July 2014 at the Opening University of Stirling. to all parts of the nation, visiting every Ceremony of the XX Commonwealth local authority area. From the spires of Games in Glasgow. We will all wait 18 We are particularly delighted that Sir Edinburgh to the peaks of the Highlands; with anticipation to see who will Chris Hoy has agreed to work with from Border woodlands to island beaches, be the final batonbearer in this Team Scotland in a mentoring role. the Queen’s Baton Relay offers everyone Commonwealth-wide As our greatest Olympian of all time, the chance to be a part of the excitement, celebration. 23 he will provide a unique insight and celebrations and countdown to Scotland’s understanding of the pressures involved biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival, in performing at the highest level and I the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth am sure our athletes will find his input Games. both invaluable and inspirational. He 22 will be supported by a number of other Around 100 batonbearers former team members. will carry the baton each day with the relay Public support for the Games and for reaching more than 400 Team Scotland is vital, and the 40 communities. The relay days of the Queen’s Baton Relay in will reflect the important 19 Scotland, hosted by CGS working closely role sport plays in the with Glasgow 2014 and supported by community by visiting 24 sportscotland and all 32 local authorities, schools, sporting 16 17 will provide a wonderful opportunity to facilities and leisure celebrate and promote community sport, centres and through encouraging the Scottish public to get a range of events and 15 behind their team. activities supported by the 20 sportscotland Active Schools 14 Finally I would like to thank all our Network. The support is focused sponsors, SGBs and partners for 25 13 21 their continued support and we on encouraging communities to 12 get behind the team, get involved look forward to a fulfilling and 30 31 11 4 with the Games and use its 26 1 successful journey 29 32 10 2 profile to get more people together over 27 28 3 participating in sport. Check the coming out the route to find the nearest 9 5 months. 8 baton location to you and show your support for Team Scotland! From 7 England 6

THE RELAY ROUTE

Day Relay Date Local Authority Key Day Relay Date Local Authority Key Day Relay Date Local Authority Key 1 Sat 14 June City of Edinburgh 1 15 Sat 28 June Angus 15 28 Fri 11 July Highland 24 2 Sun 15 June West Lothian 2 16 Sun 29 June Aberdeenshire 16 29 Sat 12 July Transition* - 3 Mon 16 June Midlothian 3 17 Mon 30 June Aberdeen City 17 30 Sun 13 July Argyll and Bute 25 4 Tue 17 June East Lothian 4 18 Tue 1 July Shetland Islands 18 31 Mon 14 July Inverclyde 26 5 Wed 18 June Scottish Borders 5 19 Wed 2 July Transition* - 32 Tue 15 July North Ayrshire 27 6 Thu 19 June Dumfries & Galloway 6 20 Thu 3 July Moray 19 33 Wed 16 July East Renfrewshire 28 7 Fri 20 June South Ayrshire 7 21 Fri 4 July Perth & Kinross 20 34 Thu 17 July Renfrewshire 29 8 Sat 21 June East Ayrshire 8 22 Sat 5 July Transition* - 35 Fri 18 July West Dunbartonshire 30 9 Sun 22 June South Lanarkshire 9 23 Sun 6 July Stirling 21 36 Sat 19 July East Dunbartonshire 31 10 Mon 23 June North Lanarkshire 10 24 Mon 7 July Transition* - 37 Sun 20 July Glasgow City 32 11 Tue 24 June Falkirk 11 25 Tue 8 July Eilean Siar, 22 38 Mon 21 July Glasgow City 32 CGS Chairman 12 Wed 25 June Clackmannanshire 12 Comhairle nan 39 Tue 22 July Glasgow City 32 13 Thu 26 June Fife 13 26 Wed 9 July Transition* - 40 Wed 23 July Glasgow City – 32 Michael 14 Fri 27 June Dundee City 14 27 Thu 10 July Orkney Islands 23 Opening Ceremony Cavanagh *Denotes a transition from one local authority to another 5 Support Team Scotland in true style

Sports fans have the chance to support Team Scotland in style with the launch of a new leisurewear collection launched by Glasgow 2014.

Athletes Charline Joiner, Samantha Kinghorn and Guy Learmonth were all given a sneak preview of the stylish merchandise which includes tee-shirts, hoodies and polo- shirts and gave it the collective thumbs up.

Cyclist Charline, a team sprint silver medallist from Delhi 2010, and aiming to represent Team Scotland in Glasgow in endurance track events said: “It was great to have a preview of the range and it will be fantastic to see members of the public wearing the Team Scotland clothing. ” Historic Wimbledon win secures Emirates Wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, who has already had her selection confirmed Lonsdale Trophy for Murray and will make her Games debut in 2014, said: “For my first Games to be a home Games will be a really special experience After an unparalleled year for tennis player Andy Murray, he was named Scottish for me. Seeing people wearing the Team Sportsperson of the Year 2013 and awarded the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy for the Scotland range will be a real boost for the second year running, at the CGS Awards dinner in Glasgow in November. He beat host nation athletes and is a great way of off stiff competition from three other finalists: Para-Sport sprinter Libby Clegg, showing support.” canoeist David Florence and bowls pair Alex Marshall MBE and Paul Foster. Scottish 800m champion, Guy Learmonth, The dinner is one of the highlights of the David Florence has won numerous World who is also selected and looking forward Scottish sporting calendar and recognises and European medals in canoe slalom to his first Games, said: “This new range of the achievements of Scotland’s athletes in including Olympic silver in 2008 and Team Scotland merchandise is brilliant. It member sports over the past 12 months. 2012. But in September 2013 at the World would be incredible to see people lending This year was also a celebration of the Championships in he surpassed their support by wearing it.” work of CGS and Glasgow 2014, as we look these achievements winning not one but forward to next year’s home Games with two world championships titles, the first Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of huge enthusiasm and excitement. It was time the double has ever been done at this Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “We also a chance to publicly congratulate the event. are delighted with the exciting new range of first 36 athletes selected for Team Scotland. Team Scotland merchandise that has been Alex Marshall MBE and Paul Foster who produced by Glasgow 2014 in our traditional In July, Andy Murray won the 2013 won gold in the pairs event at the 2006 team colours and bearing our distinctive Wimbledon Championships becoming the Commonwealth Games, are the current logo. It is the perfect opportunity for the first British man to do so since Fred Perry, outdoor pairs World Champions. In January whole of Scotland to get behind the team, 77 years previously and the first Scot to do 2013 they also retained the pairs World show their support and play their part in so since 1896. This followed an outstanding Indoor Championships. This is the first the Team’s success. 2012, in which he won the US Open and time in the history of the sport that one Olympic singles titles as well as an Olympic pair have held both indoor and outdoor The full range is silver medal in the mixed doubles. In the world titles simultaneously, cementing their available online 2013 New Year Honours, Murray was standing as the most successful pairing in from the official awarded an OBE for services to tennis. bowls history. Glasgow 2014 shop at Murray received two Business Class flights Announcing the award, CGS Chairman www.shop. to Dubai courtesy of Award sponsor Michael Cavanagh said: “2013 has been glasgow2014. Emirates – the Official Airline Partner of another incredible year for Scotland’s top com Glasgow 2014 and a cheque for £1000 sportsmen and women and I am delighted which he kindly donated to the Scottish that Emirates are supporting the Lonsdale Commonwealth Games Youth Trust. trophy again this year so we can fully recognise their achievements. All five Borderer Libby Clegg, running with guide shortlisted athletes gave performances Mikhail Huggins in the T12 Para-Sport which would make them worthy winners; Athletics classification, matched her 2012 but Andy Murray’s long awaited Wimbledon Paralympic 100m silver at the 2013 IPC victory clearly had the edge, as well as the Championships and also whole country on the edge of their seats!” won silver in the 200m. Libby ended the season as the top ranked Commonwealth Next year, the inaugural Sir Peter Heatly Samantha Kinghorn, athlete in the 100m and is targeting the Trophy will be awarded to the outstanding Guy Learmonth and same spot next summer. Young Sportsperson of the Year. Charline Joiner 6 Jade Nimmo under the watchful The Achieve programme has a proven eye of Gavin Hastings track record, having been first rolled out at the Delhi Games in 2010. Many of the 28 athletes involved have gone on to greater sporting success, with several tipped for selection for Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014 and several of the 2010 coaches and mentors will also play a prominent role with Team Scotland next summer.

The Achieve 2014 programme was officially launched at Scotstoun Stadium by Achieve 2014 ambassador Gavin Hastings along with athletes Jade Nimmo (Long Jump), Georgina Black (Weightlifting) and Michael Bremner (Hockey). Each of the athletes went through the Achieve programme in 2010 and are either selected or hopeful of being selected for Glasgow 2014.

Achieve 2014 Programme Director Alan Mentoring young athletes to achieve Lynn said: “The inaugural programme in Delhi was a great success and thanks to the support of Search Consultancy, the their sporting ambitions continued investment and delivery of Achieve 2014 will further support our best In October, former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings launched an exclusive young athletes and aspiring coaches at a programme developed to inspire, coach and motivate Scotland’s next generation key stage in their personal development. of star athletes. I believe the knowledge and experience they’ll gain as part of this programme will ‘Achieve 2014’ will mentor young sports programme of training and mentoring, led be the ideal preparation, enabling them stars of the future, using Glasgow 2014 as a by experienced practitioners from across to represent Scotland with distinction at learning experience and a springboard for Scottish sport. The recruitment process for future Commonwealth Games.” their emerging talent. Achieve athletes is due to complete by the end of March 2014. CGS and Search Consultancy are working in Developed and managed by CGS and partnership to further develop and enhance supported by Search Consultancy – Glasgow The ultimate aim of the programme is to the programme, ensuring it provides the 2014’s official recruitment agency – the propel youngsters onto sporting success best possible support to Scotland’s next Achieve programme will identify promising at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games generation of sporting stars. young athletes from a range of different in Samoa, the 2017 Commonwealth Commonwealth Games sports to give them Youth Games in St Lucia and the 2018 the inside track on the Games. Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. The group of 126 athletes and their coaches will not compete in Glasgow 2014, but will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of what it’s like to be involved in an international multi-sport Games, through a Athletes to front up sponsor campaigns

As Glasgow 2014 and Team Scotland sponsors finalise their activation plans for next year’s Games there was good news for a number of prospective Team Scotland athletes who have been identified as athlete ambassadors.

Energy company SSE has selected track Triathletes David McNamee (25) and Marc stars Eilidh Child and sprinter Libby Clegg Austin (19), will work with the Atos team as they go for gold at Glasgow 2014. They to amplify the company’s partnership with will link with Scottish Hydro to encourage the Games and highlight the importance the public to support Team Scotland all the and relevance of information technology in way to the Games. athletic and business performance. Atos launch the Athlete Ambassador Programme with Steve Cram and triathletes Marc Austin and David McNamee Law firm, Harper Macleod, has announced Other Athlete Ambassadors are Lynsey Para-Sport athlete Samantha Kinghorn as Sharp, working with Dell, and Kirsty a host of amazing athletes who ably the firm’s Athlete Ambassador ahead of Gilmour and James McCallum, supporting demonstrate how through a combination next year’s sporting spectacular. Sammi, NVT. of talent, hard work and a passion for what 17, is one of Europe’s leading wheelchair they do, coupled with mental and physical racers. Jon Doig, CGS Chief Executive and Team resilience they can achieve their goals. Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are There are great synergies here for business International IT services company, Atos delighted that a number of our sponsors and I know that our athletes will do has linked up with the technology driven have extended their support through themselves, their sports and the team sport of triathlon. Two of Scotland’s leading athlete ambassador initiatives. We have proud in these roles.” 7 #1 Commonwealth Games Association on Twitter

With seven social media platforms, a website and a microsite, the digital arm of Team Scotland’s communication strategy has stepped up a gear in recent months.

Team Scotland is the most followed Commonwealth Games Association on Twitter, with its following growing week on week. This support is continually increasing as a result of a high level of interaction with the Scottish public.

Google+ and LinkedIn are the most recent social media platforms to be launched, consolidating a wide variety of opportunities for the public to connect with the team. These platforms are providing unique and interesting content, enabling the public to share the Glasgow 2014 journey.

GoScotland.org has also seen an exciting new development – ‘Meet the Team’. With 36 athletes now selected, Meet the Team is an athlete biographies section profiling every selected team member. Providing information from career highlights to favourite superheroes, this section provides fun and useful information. Key dates Explaining these new development, James Saker, CGS Digital Media Manager said: “Digital and specifically social media is proving 10–11 January (2014) Team Camp, Stirling to be a key communication channel connecting the team with a 15 May Selection period closes/final nominations wide range of people. With the age range of social media users 12 June Team Scotland, Glasgow 2014 announced continually broadening, our offering has been adapted to cater for the interests of all. The secret of this is definitely understanding 5-6 & 7-22 July Team Camp / Preparation Camp, Stirling each platform’s audience. Now the real challenge is converting 13 July Athletes’ Village opens those followers to fans and those fans to unofficial ambassadors 23 July – 3 August Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games of the team, who fully support our athletes on their journey to 23 July Opening Ceremony, Celtic Park, Glasgow Glasgow.” 3 August Closing Ceremony, Hampden Park, Glasgow Look out in early 2014 for our exciting range of new athlete images! 15 August Post-Games Athletes’ Parade, Glasgow

Photo credits: Alistair Devine; Chris Radburn/PA Wire; Getty Images; Leslie Roy; Duncan McEwan; Tennis Scotland; Warren Media; Martin McCready

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND OFFICIAL PARTNERS

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Commonwealth Games Scotland, Gannochy Sports Centre, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA Tel: +44 (0)1786 466480 Fax: +44 (0)1786 466481 Email: [email protected] www.cgcs.org.uk

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