GAMES REVIEW

COMMONWEALTH GAMES NEWSLETTER ISSUE 22 – AUTUMN 2014

OurOur bestbest GamesGames ever!ever!

19 15 19

After years of planning by Scotland (CGS) and all the key partners in Scottish sport, the delivered a truly memorable and successful 11 days of competition in packed, world-class venues, with the home crowd roaring Team Scotland on to their best performance ever.

A record haul of 53 medals, 19 Gold, 15 the XX Commonwealth Games Silver and 19 Bronze to finish fourth on at Celtic Park on 23 July, to the medal table, was just reward for the the rapturous welcome of the huge team effort that made the whole of crowd. In an amazing spectacle, Scotland proud. Team Scotland certainly everyone enjoyed a night of excitement the Commonwealth Games Federation lived up to its billing of 17 Sports – One and pride, setting the tone for the 11 days of flag into the stadium. It was then the turn Team! competition that were to follow. of the legendary Sir Chris Hoy, who had the honour of being the Following a magnificent build-up to the Para-Sport sprinter Libby Clegg and guide final baton bearer Games, Team Scotland fielded its largest Mikail Huggins took the oath on behalf and he presented team ever, with 310 athletes meeting of the athletes of the Commonwealth. the baton to the selection standards for the Games. Shooting Team Manager, Donald McIntosh Her Majesty the The athletes chose multiple World and represented the coaches, while Victor Queen at the end European medal-winning judoka, Euan Keelan from Scottish Wrestling represented of its incredible Burton, to carry the Scottish Flag and lead the officials and former Judo Gold journey across the the team into the Opening Ceremony of medallist, Graeme Randall accompanied Commonwealth. MICHAEL CAVANAGH Chairman’s view

I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the last few amazing weeks for Scottish sport and for Team Scotland in particular, where our 310 athletes collectively inspired the nation over all 11 days of competition. They gave us so many moments to remember and treasure forever What will live with me for the rest of my life will be the enormous sense and they delivered the best medal of pride I felt every time I watched Scottish athletes giving everything to haul ever by any Scottish team at a perform at their best, roared on by the most amazing crowds at every venue. Commonwealth Games – a staggering 53 medals! commitment, which led to the delivery General Team Manager, Elinor Middlemiss of such an incredible ‘athlete centred’ and our small HQ team in Stirling. Joined However, it did not happen by accident. experience for the teams of the 71 nations by numerous committed volunteers at This Team Scotland performance was and territories. Team Scotland certainly Games time and supported throughout by the culmination of 12 years of planning delivered, but so did the Organising the 17 sports governing bodies and the high by CGS for these Games. It was just after Committee, a combined success which has performance expertise of sportscotland 2002 that CGS led by Louise made the experience of the last few weeks and its institute network, the collective Martin, in partnership with then First all the sweeter. focus was to ensure that the needs of the Minister, Jack McConnell, decided that athletes were always the first priority. From Scotland should launch a bid for the 2014 Thanks especially to the spectators who team selections to the team camp, then the Games. From the beginning, our bid had filled the venues and made their own preparation camp and finally at the Games all-party support in Scotland and following enormous contribution to the success of Village, everything was geared to helping selection of Glasgow as the host city by the Games. our athletes perform at their best. And CGS, the whole country got behind the bid. perform they did! I also want to thank the Games partners We were awarded the Games in November who worked so closely with us on this These Games have demonstrated how 2007 and, as the old saying goes, the rest long journey. The Scottish Government important the ‘17 Sports – One Team’ is history and what an amazing read the has provided magnificent support over philosophy is to the overall success of record books will be when we look back the last 12 years, with all three Sports Team Scotland. That feeling of being at Glasgow 2014! Indeed, all involved, and Ministers during that time, committed part of something special was constantly it has been a massive team effort over to the planning and delivery of such a mentioned by Team Scotland athletes in many years, can be rightly proud to have great Games. Shona Robison in particular the media. The ‘Go Scotland!’ campaign played their part in delivering the best has done an outstanding job since her expertly led by our communications team Commonwealth Games ever. appointment in early 2009. ensured that the Scottish public got fully behind us and enjoyed a clear insight into I would like to pay tribute to Glasgow 2014 Glasgow City Council has been 100% the athlete journey to the Games. – the board, senior management team and committed to making Glasgow 2014 the their workforce, contractors and of course, success that it undoubtedly was. The Team Scotland athletes went on to produce the Clydesiders, for their hard work and slogan ‘People Make Glasgow’ said it all. so many memorable moments that I I knew that Glasgow 2014 don’t think I’ll ever be able to answer the was always going to be a question I was asked so often – “What great Games, but the way was your favourite moment?” There were the city and its citizens took simply too many to pick just one. What will the Games to heart was a live with me for the rest of my life will be big part of what made it the the enormous sense of pride I felt when I best ever. Thanks to Council watched Scottish athletes giving everything Leader, Gordon Matheson, to perform at their best, roared on by the Councillor Archie Graham, most amazing crowds at every venue. Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life My second and final term as Chairman and others too numerous to ends next May and I want to thank all mention. of the CGS board members and our member SGBs, for their great support. It Closer to home, I’d also like to has been a privilege not just to serve as recognise the outstanding job CGS Chairman, but to have had the good done by the Team Scotland fortune to lead this great sporting family General Team Management, at such an exciting and successful time. led by our Chef de Mission, I certainly don’t envy the Gold Coast in Jon Doig and ably assisted by trying to live up to Glasgow 2014! 2 A shared moment with Team Fiji Queen’s Baton comes home

Building public support for the Games and for Team Scotland was vital and the 40 days of the Queen’s Baton Relay in Scotland, hosted by CGS and working in partnership with sportscotland proved key.

It was proudly carried through sportsmen and women past the length and breadth of and present, on route to the the Commonwealth sharing Opening Ceremony. There the warmth and friendship of were many local opportunities Glasgow and Scotland with to celebrate and promote some of the world’s most diverse sport, as well as increasing communities. Then on Saturday the profile of Team Scotland 14 June, the 2014 Queen’s Baton athletes. Indeed the incredible returned home to Scotland, marking response to the QBR as it journeyed across the final straight of a 100,000-mile epic Scotland gave the team an early indication journey and the final countdown to the of the amazing level of support they could Commonwealth Games. expect at the Games. round to Fiji, marching to a spontaneous After 248 days visiting 69 nations and Team members also enjoyed opportunities rendition of Flower of Scotland. territories, the baton crossed the border to the see the baton for themselves, both back into Scotland at Coldstream. It was at the Team Camp in Stirling and then with There they were met by a welcoming and passed by England’s legendary triple only a few hours to go until the Opening clearly emotional Fijian Team whose Chef Commonwealth Gold medallist Daley Ceremony on 23 July, it came to Scotland de Mission thanked the Scots warmly Thompson to Team Scotland athletics star Street in the Athletes Village. for their gesture before they treated Eilidh Child and welcomed with a guard of them to a melodic rendition of their own honour of local children, holding flags of Greeted warmly by Scotland, the baton national anthem in what was a memorable the Commonwealth. was passed hand-to-hand down one side Commonwealth Games moment. of the street and back up again, ensuring For the next 40 days the baton visited all everyone present got their own special And finally, at Celtic Park that evening 32 local authorities, was carried by more reminder of the visit. the baton reached its final destination than 4,000 baton bearers being recognised – the Opening Ceremony of the XX for their inspiration, hard work and impact But the Queen’s Baton visit didn’t end Commonwealth Games, where Her Majesty on the lives of others, as well as Scottish there. In a special gesture of goodwill, the Queen read out her special message Team Scotland took to the Commonwealth and declared the the baton down to Games open. the nearby residence of Team Fiji – the only nation in the Commonwealth the Baton Relay hadn’t visited on its round the world journey.

Led by Team Scotland deputy flagbearers, Linda Clement of Hockey and of Lawn Bowls, a procession of athletes in blue and

Scotland Street welcomes Chef de Mission Jon Doig and the Queen’s Baton white wound its way A helping hand from Sir Chris 3 ONE GREAT TEAM 17 SPORTS SCOTLAND PERFORMANCE

Across the 17 Sports on the Games programme, JUDO Scottish competitors gave it their all, with 10 sports contributing to the record medal haul, backed up Judo made its return to the Commonwealth by many other outstanding individual and team Games programme for the performances, with new personal bests, Scottish and first time since 2002 and it was not Games records set. long before it made its presence felt. Judoka Kimberley Renicks (-48kg) won Scotland’s first Gold of the Games on day one, quickly followed by her TRIATHLON sister Louise in the Women’s -52kg weight category. 13 out of 14 In the first medal event competitors went on to win medals, including six Gold for the of the Games, a strong Renwick sisters, Sarah Clark, Euan Burton, Sarah Adlington and swim and a breakaway in Chris Sherrington. Judo surpassed as Scotland’s most the early stages of the bike leg by successful sport of all times at a single Games with six Gold, two 20-year-old Marc Austin gave local Silver and five Bronze - an amazing achievement. crowds hope that a Scot might join England’s dominant Brownlee brothers on the podium in the Men’s Triathlon at Strathclyde Country Park. However the pace proved too much for Austin who in the second half of the 40km ride and in the end, first Scot home was David McNamee in 7th with Grant Sheldon in 14th and Austin in 22nd.

Later in the week Natalie Milne, Grant Sheldon, Seonaid Thompson and David McNamee joined forces for the Mixed Team Relay, a new fast-paced tag-team event, and roared on by fantastic home support, the quartet finished 7th.

CYCLING Team Scotland’s first medal of the Games was quick to arrive in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on day one, with the women’s Para-Sport Tandem duo of Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston winning Silver in the Sprint and they went on to add a further Silver in the 1000mCYCLING Time Trail later in the week. The men’s Para-Sport pair of Neil Fachie and Craig MacLean managed to go one Team Scotland’s first medal of the Games was quick to arrive in the Sir Chris better, taking Gold in both events and were two of Scotland’s Hoy Velodrome on day one, with the women’s Para-Sport Tandem duo of four double Gold medallists in Glasgow. Katie Archibald also Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston winning Silver in the Sprint and they went continued to show her world class potential, winning Bronze on to add a further Silver in the 1000m Time Trail later in the week. The men’s in the 25km Points Race on the track and she was the first Para-Sport pair of Neil Fachie and Craig MacLean managed to go one better, Scottish finisher in the Women’s Road Race in 7th place, at taking Gold in both events and were two of Scotland’s four double Gold the end of a busy racing programme. medallists in Glasgow. Katie Archibald also continued to show her world class potential, winning Bronze in the 25km Points Race on the track and 4 she was the first Scottish finisher in the Women’s Road Race in 7th place, at the end of a busy racing programme. AQUATICS The swimmers were also on top form in the cauldron of noise at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre and added to the Gold rush on day one. First up, Hannah Miley retained her status as Commonwealth Games champion in the 400 Individual Medley, an impressive feat and the only Scottish athlete to do so. Within minutes there was shock and awe in the pool when 20 year old beat hometown favourite and fellow Scot, into second place in the 200m in a new Games record. The expression on Ross’s face said it all!

A third Gold came from Dan Wallace on day two in the men’s 400m Individual Medley and he went on to pick up a further two Silver medals to finish as the LAWN BOWLS top Scottish swimmer of the Games. But Considered one of the iconic venues the darling of the pool was Shetland’s of the Glasgow 2014 Games, the Erraid Davies, who at 13 years old was Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls centre was Team Scotland’s youngest ever team to bear witness to some of the most member and now medallist, winning consistent and impressive bowling Bronze in the Para-Sport SB9 100m by Scotland in many a Games. By Breaststroke. Swimming won a total of 10 day five Team Scotland surpassed medals: 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze. its Gold medal target of more than 11, when Alex Marshall and Paul Foster dominated Over in Scotland’s two Divers Grace Reid and James Malaysia 20-3 with three ends to spare, to win the Heatly acquitted themselves well both setting new personal bests in record breaking 12th Gold in the Men’s Pairs. the heats and finals of the 1m and 3m Springboard events. The five-strong men’s bowling team went on to further success, Darren Burnett striking Gold in the Singles and Marshall RUGBY SEVENS and Foster adding a second Gold in the Fours with teammates David Peacock and Neil Speirs, to all go home with Gold. The Para-Sport The much anticipated Rugby Sevens Mixed Pairs of Robert Conway and Irene Edgar secured Silver to competition lived up to its billing with a world ensure Lawn Bowls most successful Games ever. record crowd of 171,000 flocking to Ibrox Stadium over the two days of competition and generating an electric atmosphere, with support for all nations. Scotland made sure their medal hopes at Glasgow 2014 were still very much alive after day one, with two from three wins in their pool. They put aside Barbados, 56-0 and Canada 21-5, following a narrow defeat 14-17 to New Zealand in their opening game, to see them safely through to a medal quarter-final spot.

But fortunes turned against them on day two, losing out to South Africa 35-12, and then England, in the fifth to eighth place play-off, 15-12. Despite fighting back in both games, from three tries down in both first halves they were unable to rise to the occasion and were defeated by two better sides, with South Africa going on to beat New Zealand in the final and take Gold. ATHLETICS Hampden Park looked magnificent in its converted form as a world-class athletics track and it was to play host to Scotland’s first Gold on the track since Yvonne Murray in 1994, when Paralympic Silver medallist Libby Clegg and guide runner Mikail Huggins took Gold in the Para-Sport T12 100m. There were emotional Silvers for 400m Hurdler Eilidh Child and Lynsey Sharp in the 800m and a Bronze for a delighted Mark Dry in the Hammer. A record 57 Scottish athletes competed at Hampden. 5 SHOOTING Based at Barry Buddon Shooting Centre at Carnoustie, Scotland’s shooters were also on target. There was Silver for sharp shooting Drew Christie in the Clay Target Skeet event, making up for his 4th place in Delhi, whilst Small Bore Rifle shooter, Jennifer McIntosh, helped Scotland reach its medal target of 34 plus medals, taking Silver in the 50m Rifle 3 Position event. Adding a Bronze in the 50m Rifle Prone, Jen became the most decorated female athlete for Scotland in Commonwealth Games history. There was also a second successive Commonwealth Games medal for Full Bore shooters Ian Shaw and Angus McLeod winning Bronze in the Pairs to give a total of four medals for Shooting.

TABLE TENNIS WRESTLING In the Men’s Team event Scotland’s quartet qualified Wrestling also made a return to the through the Pool stage of the competition beating Commonwealth Games podium Uganda, higher ranked Canada and Tanzania, before for the first time in 20 years with getting knocked out by India in the Quarter Finals. Scotland Viorel Etko (61kg) and Alex Gladkov number one, Gavin Rumgay, progressed through to the round of 32 (65kg) both winning Bronze medals. in the Men’s Singles as did both Men’s Doubles pairs. Etko beat Malta’s Adam Vella in the Bronze medal match, 10-0, in just one minute and 46 seconds and thrilled the home crowd with his celebrations.

It was then the turn of Alex Gladkov, coached by his father, Volodymyr, to collect Team Scotland’s second Wrestling Bronze in epic fashion, with the 28-year-old overcoming controversial calls, and a mid-match knee injury, to defeat his Sri Lankan opponent. NETBALL GYMNASTICS Making their Games debut, Scotland’s Netball In the stunning setting of the players got their campaign SSE Hydro, Gymnastics won underway with a strong win over St their first Gold medals since Manchester Lucia at the SECC. However losses in 2002, with Daniel Keatings and Daniel all their other group games consigned Purvis each winning three medals. them to a play-off for 9th/10th place Keatings became Commonwealth Games against Trinidad and Tobago, which Champion on the Pommel Horse as they won convincingly 46-28 to beat well as winning Silver in the Individual their pre-Games ranking. All-Around and Silver in the Men’s Team event, whilst teammate Daniel Purvis was the only athlete to collect a full set of medals with Gold on Parallel Bars, Silver WEIGHTLIFTING & in the Team event and Bronze on Rings. Frank Baines, Adam Cox and Liam Davie also contributed strongly POWERLIFTING to Scotland’s first ever Gymnastics Team medal. Micky Yule took to the platform at the Clyde Auditorium in the heavyweight category of the Para- Sport Powerlifting competition, Team Scotland’s first ever representative in this event. A Sergeant in the British Army, Yule was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010. Up against some strong opposition, Micky lifted 172.9kg to finish in a credible 4th place. Scotland also made its debut in the Women’s Weightlifting with Georgi Black, Sophie Smyth 6 and Louise Mather all competing. HOCKEY SQUASH Scotland’s women had After a long high medal hopes going into week of Singles, the Games and a victory in Doubles and their opening Games against Malaysia Mixed Doubles action for got them off to the best possible start Scotland’s seven squash in baking sunshine at the Glasgow players, it was left to Men’s National Hockey Centre. This was Doubles pairing of Alan followed by defeat to , a win Clyne and Harry Leitch against Wales, before losing their final to stake their claim for a medal. But it was not to be and they group match 2-1 against England in a missed out on Bronze by the tightest of margins, in two sets to very close encounter that could have gone either way. There was England. The contest had everything the packed, mainly Scottish further disappointment in the classification games losing 2-1 to crowd could have dreamt of...except victory for the home pair who India, to finish 6th overall. desperately wanted to medal this time, having also finished fourth in Delhi four years ago. In the Men’s competition, Team Scotland suffered early defeats at the hands of South Africa and India before beating Wales 4-3 in Pool A, only to go down against Australia in their final group game. BADMINTON They rounded off their Games against Malaysia, losing 2-1 in their Scotland won medals on each classification match to finish 8th. of the 11 days of competition, with Badminton player Kirsty Gilmour securing Scotland’s final medal of the Games, taking Silver in the Women’s Singles to add to the Bronze won by Mixed Doubles pairing, Imogen Bankier and Robert Blair.

Earlier, the Badminton squad cruised through to the quarter-finals of the Mixed Team Event after three decisive 5-0 victories over Seychelles, Guernsey and New Zealand at the Emirates Arena before going out to Malaysia, who went on to take Gold.

BOXING CHEF DE MISSION – JON DOIG

Boxing kept up its 100% record of winning medals Overall, ten sports and four at every Commonwealth Games and larger than life out of five Para-Sports character, Charlie Flynn, took Scotland to the 50 medal contributed to Team mark with a Gold in the 60kg Lightweight division. Scotland’s medal tally and expressing his delight Team In a memorable hour at The SSE Hydro, where Flynn described Scotland Chef de Mission, the crowd as being ‘like ants that roared like lions’, Delhi Silver Jon Doig said: “When we medallist Josh Taylor also emerged started the planning process victorious in the next bout to add a second for Glasgow, our aim was to Boxing Gold and ensure the crowd were select our biggest ever team treated to two renditions of Flower of meeting the standards and Scotland, back to back. Earlier in the to have our most successful Games ever delivering more week there were hard fought Bronzes for than 33 medals and 11 Gold. We have well and truly Heavyweight Stephen Lavelle and 19-year- smashed these targets and I would like to pay tribute old Reece McFadden, who had taken to all the athletes and staff for contributing to this out the World number 1 from overall Team success of 53 medals – a figure above Wales in his opening bout of the even my stretch targets! competition. “Thanks to the support of all the governing bodies of sport and sportscotland, this was undoubtedly our best ever prepared team ever, with all sports contributing to our ‘17 sports – One Team’ ethos. Glasgow 2014 organised a fabulous Commonwealth Games and provided the perfect stage for our athletes to perform on, backed up by the incredible support of the Scottish public. These Games will live long in the memory for all of us.” 7 events such as the Flag Bearer Ceremony, medallists’ nights and the legendary Team Scotland closing party.

Scotland House was a partnership between Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Scottish Government, sportscotland, Glasgow City Council, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Creative Scotland.

CGS is very appreciative that such a range of influential partners came together to support Team Scotland through the delivery of Scotland House and built on the successful formula developed over the last four Games. Scotland House makes an impact Scotland House was that vital safe haven for the athletes and their family and friends, and provided the focal point Glasgow’s City Halls and Old Fruitmarket were transformed into a hub to celebrate for media, sponsors and supporters to Scotland’s sporting success, culture and business potential during the Commonwealth celebrate Team Scotland participation and Games and the Glasgow 2014 ‘Scotland House’ proved to be the best yet! success. With the added strategic cultural and business engagement opportunities The ‘House’ concept has been a major part with more than 10,000 visits, to capitalise which were built into the programme, it of every Commonwealth Games for Team on the Games and exploit the international proved to be the perfect showcase for Scotland since 1998, and is designed to and domestic business opportunities all that is great about Scotland and the create an ideal meeting place for athletes presented by Scotland hosting the Glasgow Games. and their families and friends, along with Games. sponsors and key business people, as well as a venue to promote and celebrate the The private space for Team success of Team Scotland medal winners. Scotland athletes and their families to meet was extremely Inspirationally branded using the stunning well used and there was extensive Go Scotland campaign athlete images media activity both pre and shot by photographers Alistair Devine and post competition. Next door, the Stuart Gray, linked with a unique tartan Fruitmarket operated by Festival saltire graphic designed by the 2014 held an exciting programme Agency, the hub hosted some 89 events, of both public and Team Scotland Media make full use of Scotland House

Happy #GoScotland Tweeters spurred on team

From the Triathlon on Day one to the Squash on Day 11, the support for Team Scotland was remarkable – not only across the 13 Games venues but also online.

The athletes’ journey was made accessible signs of ‘surprise’, highlighting the through the supporters’ website, mobile overwhelming positive messages app and nine social media platforms with of support sent to Team Scotland #GoScotland becoming a forum to show athletes. The most mentioned Team support for the team and share opinion. Scotland athlete on Twitter during @Team_Scotland was mentioned 90,000+ the Games time period was Erraid

times on Twitter alone, more than any Davies, the 13 year old from the Erraid Davies other country. Shetland Islands who took Bronze in the Para-Sport 100m Breaststroke SB9. On Twitter alone, @Team_Scotland In a competition set up by Games and Erraid coincidently does not actually have a achieved 11.5 million impressions during Team sponsor SSE amongst the home Twitter account! the Games time period with 101,040 nations, each countries Glasgow 2014 interactions. To date, Team Scotland is hashtag was monitored with each tweet James Saker, Digital Media Manager said: the most followed Commonwealth Games awarded one point. #GoScotland notched “The response across social media during Association across all nine social media up 18,113 tweets which is double the total of the Games time period was incredible and platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, #GoWales, the second place nation. As a it really spurred on our athletes. From Snapchat, Vine, Youtube, Spotify, Google+ result, 25 up and coming Scottish athletes the team’s perspective, we attempted to and LinkedIn. will benefit from funding and join the connect > engage > convert, aiming to SSE Next Generation Programme which both educate the audience and build a Supporters can continue to follow the will help to develop athletes for the next community of unofficial ambassadors who efforts of team members over the next Games. back the team. With the nine platforms few months as they return to single sport ranging from Twitter to Snapchat, we competitions and in 2015 our focus will 57% of the #GoScotland tweets were engaged with almost every demographic turn to those athletes vying for selection categorised as displaying ‘happiness’, and took them on the Glasgow 2014 for the Commonwealth Youth Games in 8 with 40% of these tweets showing journey with us.” Samoa in September 2015. Meet the Team

Pure, Dead, Brilliant! The Glasgow 2014 merchandise store in George Square was also a great place to meet our medallists and get an autograph on a piece of the team merchandise.

A further 35 athletes from Hockey to Once the competition was Judo visited the Live Site at Glasgow over, Team Scotland athletes Green and took part in a range of come got out and about in Glasgow and try activities, showing off their to share their success and the sporting prowess and encouraging excitement of the Games with youngsters to do the same. the public. At Merchant City Team Scotland teamed up Making the athletes accessible to the with IRN-BRU and their ‘Born Medallists Josh Taylor supporters was a great way to say to Support’ campaign, with more than 30 athletes and Charlie Flynn take on thank you for all the support! making an appearance at the BRU Store. the Scottish public! Inspiring our future champions in Glasgow

An invaluable taste of the Games experience for Achieve 2014 athletes

Post-competition studies and reports on athlete success at multi-sport Games have input into decisions about the programme’s consistently highlighted that the environment experienced is quite different to that most future. athletes and staff encounter at single sport major championships. However, with previous insight and awareness, athletes and staff are better equipped to cope in their first Games CGS would like to thanks Search and focus more on delivering medal-winning performances. Consultancy for their support of this key development programme. To address this issue, the ‘Achieve 2014’ Closing ceremonies. The experience was an programme was created to give the next amazing blend of insights and inspiration, generation of Scottish Commonwealth providing the ideal preparation for the Games athletes and coaches the best development of our future champions.“ chance of performing well at their first The programme had four key objectives: multi-sport event. Following on from the Gymnast Louise McColgan from Dalry, at To support aspiring athletes and success of the Achieve programme in 12 the youngest athlete on the programme coaches by offering them an insight Delhi 2010, CGS teamed up with Search said: “It felt great to be chosen to be part into the uniqueness of the multi-sport, Consultancy and recruited 100 athletes, of the Achieve 2014 programme and is Commonwealth Games environment coaches and mentors to join the Achieve very important to me. It gave me the To inspire young athletes and their coaches to pursue their performance 2014 programme in Glasgow. opportunity to see what it will be like at the ambitions Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 To develop greater awareness of the Programme Director Alan Lynn said: “The which is what I am working towards.” ethos and values of Team Scotland Achieve programme witnessed first-hand, To develop networks and a more than half of Team Scotland’s medals The final review process is now underway commitment amongst participants, in Glasgow and visited the Athletes Village, to get feedback from all the groups CGS/Team Scotland and the Scottish alongside attendance at Opening and involved about their experience and to governing bodies of sport. 9 Athletes’ Parade – a chance to say ‘thank you Scotland’

The Team Scotland Athletes’ Parade through the streets of Glasgow ten days after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, saw thousands of people turn out to salute their heroes, lining the route as the convoy of vehicles made its way from Kelvingrove Art Gallery to George Square. Swimmer Ross Murdoch

It was a fitting finale to the best ever effort was put in by all of the athletes who “After the record-breaking performances Commonwealth Games, which saw trained hard, competed and broke records, of the athletes, it was wonderful to see Team Scotland deliver its greatest ever gained personal bests and won medals. people from across Scotland coming out to medal haul of 53: 19 Gold, 15 Silver, and I am sure that everyone in Scotland will show their appreciation for what the team 19 Bronze. It also gave all of the athletes agree that every single member of Team achieved during the Games. one final opportunity to thank the people Scotland, not just the medal winners, has of Scotland for their amazing support done us proud and there is no higher throughout the Games. honour than to represent your country on a global stage.” Michael Cavanagh, CGS Chairman, said: “My ears are still ringing from the fantastic The event was organised by Glasgow support Team Scotland athletes in every Life and sportscotland and it was a sport received at every venue and the memorable day for all the athletes as they Athletes’ Parade is a special way to say got the chance to say a big ‘thank you’ to thank you for their incredible backing. the whole country for the support they The turnout shows just how much the had during an unforgettable 11 days of Commonwealth Games captured the competition. imagination of people in Glasgow and across Scotland. It has been a truly Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland, incredible experience to be part of.” said: “The Team Scotland Athletes’ Parade through the streets of Glasgow was a Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: fantastic and fitting finale to the best ever “An incredible amount of hard work and Commonwealth Games.

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Gordon Matheson, said: “Glasgow’s Games were quite simply the best ever. As a city, we rose to the challenge and delivered on a global scale. So too did our athletes who achieved a record medal haul for Team Scotland. They are a credit to the city and to Scotland.

“The athletes’ parade gave us the chance to celebrate the success of all our athletes, and to recognise the hard work and commitment of all of the staff, visitors and Scotland’s netball squad get volunteers who made Glasgow’s Games the introduced to the crowd 10 enormous success story they were.” LONSDALE TROPHY

Golden week in Glasgow seals title for Marshall Alex Marshall, Scottish Sportsperson of the Year 2014, pictured with Following an outstanding Michael Cavanagh and Denise Holmes Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, lawn bowler Alex Marshall MBE Foster and in the Fours with Neil Speirs, was named Scottish Sportsperson David Peacock and Paul Foster and is now of the Year 2014 and awarded the Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Emirates Lonsdale Trophy, at the Games Bowler of all time. He also ties Commonwealth Games Scotland with as the holder of the Awards Dinner. He beat off stiff most Gold medals won by an individual competition from two other finalists: Scottish athlete, after previous success in Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006. Swimming’s Ross Murdoch and Para- Sport Cycling tandem duo Neil Fachie A legend of Scottish sport as a 19 times Also presented at the Awards Dinner and Craig MacLean. World Champion in both the Indoor was the Sir Peter Heatly Trophy for the and Outdoor formats, Alex led from the outstanding Young Sportsperson of the The dinner, organised by Commonwealth front as captain of the five-strong men’s year. Established by the Heatly family in Games Scotland, is one of the highlights bowls team that all won Gold medals – an 2013, the award went to Cycling’s Katie of the Scottish sporting calendar and unprecedented achievement. He was Archibald who edged out swimmer Erraid recognises the achievements of Scotland’s voted a deputy Flag bearer for Team Davies, and badminton’s Kirsty Gilmour to athletes in Commonwealth Games member Scotland for the Opening Ceremony for the title. sports over the past 12 months. This year the Glasgow Games and as a result of his was a celebration of the achievements significant achievements on the greens at Katie had a breakthrough year in 2013/14 of Team Scotland and the culmination Kelvingrove, was selected as Flag Bearer at year wining Gold as part of the British of a hugely successful 12 year journey to the Closing Ceremony. Pursuit team at the World and European Glasgow 2014 for Commonwealth Games cycling championships, as well as winning Scotland. Marshall received two Business Class team and individual medals in rounds of flights to Dubai courtesy of Award sponsor the World Cup series. In Glasgow Katie won Alex, a five-times Commonwealth Games Emirates – the Official Airline Partner of a Bronze medal on the track in the Points representative, won Gold in both the Men’s Glasgow 2014 and a cheque for £1000. Race by securing a win in the final sprint of Pairs event at Glasgow 2014 with Paul the race and then went on to compete in Announcing the award, Commonwealth the road Time Trial and was the lead rider Games Scotland Chairman Michael for Scotland in the Road Race. Cavanagh said: “The last few weeks has given Scotland so many new sporting heroes and great moments that will live on in the memory for years to come, which together resulted in Team Scotland’s most successful Games ever.

“Selecting just one winner was an incredibly difficult task, and I am sure we all have our own personal Games highlight, but the achievements of our men’s bowlers led by Alex Marshall was quite outstanding and when added to Alex’s long list of achievements at world level, it clearly makes him a very worthy winner. I am delighted that Emirates is supporting the Lonsdale trophy again this year so we can properly recognise and reward the athletes’ achievements.” Katie Archibald, winner Sir Peter Heatly Award, with Robert, Peter and Sir Peter Heatly 11 Next stop Samoa With the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games now over, the focus for CGS will quickly turn to the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games which will be held in Samoa 5-11 September 2015.

Samoa is a small island developing State precincts: the Apia Park Sports Complex in the Central Pacific with a population of and the Tuna’imato Sports Facilities. just over 187,000. Sports and games are important aspects of island life and culture Age ranges have been set for each sport to and they look forward to extending a very in line with international sport federation warm welcome to all athletes and visitors youth age groups and for the selected from across the Commonwealth sports range from 13-18 years.

Nine sports will be contested at the Youth The total athlete number is set at 1000 Games: Aquatics; Archery; Athletics; Boxing and the Team Scotland size quota will be (Men); Lawn Bowls; Rugby 7s (Men and advised over the coming months. Work has Women); Squash; Tennis and Weightlifting. now started on the development of the KEY DATES The competitions held at two main CGS General Selection Policy and the Sport Specific Selection Standard, which will be Selection period will run from finalised by the end of this year. January to May 2015 Team announcement end of CGS Games Team Operations Manager, Elinor Middlemiss said: “I am delighted May 2015 to confirm that work is now underway to Final entries due beginning of prepare to send a Scotland Youth Team to June 2015 Samoa next September. CGS has indicated Opening Ceremony – its intention to participate in all sports, however our acceptance in Rugby 7s 5th September is yet to be confirmed in both six team Competition will run tournaments. 7th to 11th September Cultural Day – “I look forward to working with the 12th September – integral governing bodies over the next few weeks to get the selection policies in place prior to part of a Youth Games Elinor Middlemiss Christmas, along with staff recruitment.”

Photo credits: Jeff Holmes, Duncan McEwan, Rebecca Lee, Getty Images, Alistair Devine, Donal McIntosh, Ian MacNichol, Mark Shearman, Rob Hardie

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND OFFICIAL PARTNERS

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS

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

MAJOR SUPPORTER: