Up to 300 athletes and support staff from Team Scotland will call the Sunshine Coast home in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Commonwealth Games Scotland announced today (25 October) that the team will base its official overseas preparation camp at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort, whilst the excellent sports facilities at University of the Sunshine Coast and other public and private venues will be used for training.

Athletes will stay for 48 hours up to three weeks before the Games begin on the Gold Coast on 4 April 2018.

Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Jon Doig OBE said the Sunshine Coast provides a great range of facilities and the ideal environment to ensure athletes will be well prepared for the Commonwealth Games, where the team will aim to have its most successful ever overseas Games.

“The key to Scotland’s success has always been in our planning and preparation and the Team Camp has always played a vital part in developing our strong team ethos and ensuring everyone is in the best possible shape for the Games.

“We have spent considerable time with all 18 sports identifying the best possible location for their specific needs, and for the vast majority the facilities and environment on the Sunshine Coast and at Twin Waters in particular, will undoubtedly provide the ideal home from home for theathletes as they adjust to the travel, climate, culture and the unique multi-sport environment of the Commonwealth Games.

“Some sports will come out requiring full training facilities, whilst others will be lookingfor rest and relaxation ahead of competition, so it’s about different things for different sports. However our priority is enabling them all to come through and acclimatise for the Games that will be held in a warm Australian Autumn when we are coming from a cold Scottish winter.”

Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman, Paul Bush OBE added: “I am delig
hted that we have now signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sunshine Coast and we are excited about working closely with colleagues here and in Gold Coast to deliver our best ever overseas Commonwealth Games performance.”

Mayor Mark Jamieson said that hosting three international Commonwealth Games teams was a clear indication of the Sunshine Coast’s universal appeal as a major sporting and lifestyle destination.

“This is a tremendous honour for our region because Commonwealth Games Associations have an enormous amount riding on the decisions they make for their athletes and so a lot of time and resources go towards finding the best possible locations to base their athletes before such an important event as the Commonwealth Games. So for Scotland to choose to come here, like Wales and the Isle of Man, is a fantastic show of faith for the Sunshine Coast,” Mayor Jamieson said.

Novotel Twin Waters Resort General Manager Warwick Kahl said he and his staff were excited by the opportunity to host some of the Commonwealth’s premier athletes.

“To have Team Scotland choose to come to the Novotel Twin Waters Resort for such an important period in their Commonwealth Games preparations is an incredible honour for us,” Mr Kahl said.

“All of our professional and friendly staff are really looking forward to welcoming these amazing athletes and providing them with everything they need to be mentally and physically ready for the Commonwealth Games.”

The Team Scotland preparation camp on the Sunshine Coast is being supported by sportscotland as part of its overall investment in Commonwealth Games Scotland.