ISSUE 9 SUMMER 2008 t Chairman’s view It has been an interesting and exciting time since I was elected as Chairman last November. My predecessor, Louise Martin, had been in post for eight years, during which time the performance of Michael Cavanagh Scottish athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne has been as high as at any time in our history. The Games has also become an even more important event for Scotland since winning the bid to host them in 2014. My role is to lead CGS through to 2011, which includes the Youth Games in Pune in October and also the next Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010. As a future host CGA of the Funding in place as Pune approaches Commonwealth Games, it is vital that CGS is properly resourced and staffed to cope with the demands not only of taking teams to As Pune celebrated 100 days to go to the start of the Commonwealth the various Games, but to also ensure that Youth Games, sportscotland announced that it was investing £110,000 in we can play as full a part as possible in the Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) for 2008, to support its core operating preparations for Glasgow 2014. costs during the build-up to this year’s Games in Pune. I am acutely aware of our key role in ensuring that sport and the athletes in particular, are Announcing the funding Louise Martin forthcoming Commonwealth Youth Games central to the success of the 2014 Games. A CBE, the new Chair of sportscotland and in India will, I hope, be a stepping stone well organised Games, without a successful former Chair of CGS said: “Commonwealth to further success for our young athletes Scottish team, will not be deemed a success Games Scotland is one of our key partners who dream of representing Scotland at by the Scottish public. CGS is working in and we are delighted to make this the 2014 Games in Glasgow.” partnership with sportscotland to ensure that investment to allow them to continue their our athletes are given every opportunity to excellent work. Acknowledging the investment, Michael achieve this in 2010 and 2014 by increasing Cavanagh, Chairman, Commonwealth investment in sport high performance programmes. I believe the legacy benefits of “With Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Thanks to such increased investment will have a positive Games in 2014 the profile of the Games sportscotland funding over the last few impact well beyond 2014. and the Scottish team has never been years, we have been able to successfully higher. We must capitalise on this by professionalise our organisation, clearly Our target is to have the biggest Scottish ensuring that the infrastructure is in demonstrated by the excellent results at team ever taking part in the Games in 2014 as place to best support our athletes as they the last two Games, whilst Endowment well as Scotland’s highest medal tally, but this prepare for the Commonwealth Youth Fund support has enabled us to build will not be done at the expense of the tough on investment from our supporters and qualifying standards which have been in place Games later this year and beyond to Delhi for the last two Commonwealth Games and and of course, Glasgow.” sponsors to specifically enhance our team which have contributed to the much improved preparations. overall Scottish team performance. It’s about In addition, the Scottish Commonwealth raising the standards not lowering the bar, Youth Games team has been granted “With 2014 on the horizon, we will when it comes to the selection of Scottish £50,000 from the Commonwealth continue to refine our current structure teams for the Commonwealth Games. Games Endowment Fund to enhance and operations to ensure we are well its preparations for Pune. The fund was placed to deliver Scotland’s aspirations of Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish success, firstly in India and then in a home all of the athletes vying for selection this established by the Scottish Government summer for the Youth Games in Pune the following the 2002 Games. Games.” very best of luck. Welcoming the announcement, Stewart Clydesdale Bank has also come on Michael Cavanagh Maxwell, Minister for Communities board as the financial services partner Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland and Sport said: “Participation in the supporting CGS and its teams. THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER Commonwealth nations come home to Glasgow The second Commonwealth Sports Development conference was held in Glasgow’s historic Mitchell Library in June, in conjunction with Culture and Sport Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow 2014. Workshop sessions helped faciliate networking and discussions This, the first Games event held since Further sessions were held on the use of the new Commonwealth Secretary winning the 2014 bid, was an opportunity technology, in particular on the potential General Kamalesh Sharma, Leader of to welcome back over 65 Commonwealth use by all CGAs of the Zeus Games Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell Games Associations (CGAs) and a further management system used by Scotland and President of the Commonwealth 200 delegates from around the world. in 2006, as well as practical examples Games Federation, Mike Fennell. This by CGAs of how the development was followed by a wide range Workshop for CGAs grants from Delhi and Glasgow can of speakers from across the The conference was be used. Commonwealth, showcasing preceded by a day for successful examples of grassroots CGA delegates. They Delegates also started to development projects that used met the new Glasgow explore how countries could sport as the tool for engaging 2014 Chairman Lord develop and benefit from local populations – not only in Smith and were briefed partnerships with Scottish physical activity, but also health by Glasgow 2014 Vice local authorities and other promotion and community Chairman Louise Martin and outgoing agencies in the lead up to the development. It was discussed Interim Chief Executive Derek Casey, on Glasgow Games. This included a how these and other projects the progress made since the awarding of visit to sportscotland’s National Sports could be linked closer to government and the Games. Centre at Inverclyde – a potential venue to mainstream sports development. for training camps. Mike Fennell Updates were also given on the Pune 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games and Sports development v sport-in- Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, whilst development the Commonwealth Games Federation The conference itself provided a unique introduced new staff members Richard opportunity to establish a dialogue De Groen and Sue Whitworth. between mainstream sports development organisations and sport-in-development Lots to discuss at the conference organisations - many of whom provide sporting opportunities and development pathways in communities not always served by traditional sporting organisations. It was a chance for all to explore their mutual interests in both the development of sport and the consolidation of the wider social role of sport. There were opening addresses from 2 A highlight of the evening – the Masai warriors Hoy is top Scot at Commonwealth Sports Awards Chris Hoy The 27th Commonwealth Sports Awards were presented at the Lord • Catherine Ndereba (Athletics), Kenya Provost’s dinner for conference delegates held at the spectacular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. The dinner Outstanding Male Elite Athlete with was attended by delegates from across the Commonwealth, the Disability • Kurt Fearnley (Athletics), Australia Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma and Scotland’s • Antonis Aresti (Athletics), Cyprus First Minister Alex Salmond. • Steve Prowse (Archery), England Outstanding Female Elite Athlete with The Awards, sponsored by CGS supporter Disability Clydesdale Bank, were compered by • Karolina Pelendritou (Swimming), former Scotland rugby internationalist Cyprus and BBC broadcaster John Beattie and in • Thomas Daley (Diving), England • Danielle Brown (Archery), England keeping with the Commonwealth theme, • Kirani James (Athletics), Grenada a highlight was the performance by a Most Outstanding Team touring group of Masai warriors. This Outstanding Male Athlete • South Africa (Rugby) was only topped by the announcement • Chris Hoy (Cycling), Scotland • Australia (Netball) that local hero and current world, • Nathan Deakes (Athletics), Australia • New Zealand (Rugby 7s) Commonwealth and Olympic cycling • George Achilleos (Shooting), Cyprus champion Chris Hoy was the winner of Lifetime Achievement Award the Outstanding Male Athlete award and Outstanding Female Athlete • William ‘Billy’ Stewart, Northern this was rapturously received. • Lisbeth Lenton (Swimming), Australia Ireland • Veronica Campbell (Athletics), • Charles Flower, Gibraltar Chris had taken time out from his final Jamaica • Mac Henderson, Scotland preparations for Beijing to collect the award in person and was among eight Congratulations to our winners of the Commonwealth’s top sportsmen and women honoured for outstanding performances in 2007 across a range of award categories. The category nominees and winners were: Sports Administrator of the Year • Joe Cassar, Malta • Anne Smillie, Scotland Outstanding Young Achiever (under 18) • Kelsey Cottrell (Lawn Bowls), Australia 3 APRIL Clydesdale Bank ATHLETE OF THE MONTH support Athlete of the Month Awards As part of their programme of support to Scotland’s Commonwealth Youth Games Team 2008, Clydesdale Bank is running an Athlete of the Month competition in conjunction with CGS. Coach Ray Cavanagh with Amy and Clydesdale Bank’s Steve Reid Each month between April and August, poise retained from gymnastics, Amy can With this level of devotion it’s no surprise athletes who have produced good lift astonishing amounts of weight. Her that Craig has just had his best season. performances at competitions in the build best Snatch - throwing the bar from floor Highlights include a bronze medal at up to Pune can be nominated. A CGS to above her head in one movement - is the UK School Games and a gold medal judging panel will select a winner and 60kg.