It’s a double-header for Team Scotland’s Hockey players as both the men and the women’s teams play their opening matches on the first day of competition at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

With Scotland’s women taking on New Zealand at 1130 (0230 UK time), and the men playing South Africa at 2130 (1230 UK time), both teams are set for some pretty strong competition.

As a core Commonwealth Games sport, Hockey has been competed in every Games since 1998, and Australia has dominated the medal rankings. The men’s team has taken gold at every Games to date, and the women have won gold on all but one occasion when they had to settle for bronze in 2002.

Both Scotland’s men and women are set to meet their Australian counterparts as part of the preliminary matches, with the men’s game taking place on Sunday 8 April, and the women meeting two days later on Tuesday 10 April.

Speaking about the upcoming first game against South Africa, Chris Grassick, captain of the men’s team, said: “We’ve all been having a brilliant time in Australia – it’s quite strange to think we’re actually here after talking about it for so long.

“We’re quietly confident about playing South Africa. They’re eight places above us in the rankings so there isn’t any real pressure on us – and we’re certainly playing the best hockey this group has ever played.

“If we can turn up on the day and play to our fullest potential then we’ve got a really good chance at winning that first game. The main thing for us is to remain as level-headed as possible and not to let ourselves be too affected by a win or a lose.

“In terms of the venue, the Gold Coast Hockey Centre is absolutely incredible – it’ll be amazing to play in front of a 5,000 strong crowd, and we’re really excited to get in there.”

Hockey will be competed across 10 days of the competition, with preliminaries being played 5 – 11 April, Classifications and Semi-finals on 12-13 April, and medal finals on 14 April.

Kareena Cuthbert, captain of the women’s team, said: “We’re all raring to go. Our team camp was perfect for setting us up for the competition ahead and now we just can’t wait to get started! We’re so lucky to have a pretty big travelling support network so we’re guaranteed a crowd behind us every step of the way.

“New Zealand are seeded highly in the tournament and are obviously pretty high in the world rankings, so our first match is set to be pretty fast-paced! However, we’ve done our homework and we know what we’re capable of and what we can bring to the game – so we’ll be going out there determined to give it everything we’ve got and play the best game we possibly can.”

Both Scotland’s men and women are also set to meet their Australian counterparts as part of the preliminary matches, with the men’s game taking place on Sunday 8 April, and the women meeting two days later on Tuesday 10 April.

Team Scotland’s Men’s Gymnastics team is looking to improve on their historic result at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, by collecting another medal in the Men’s Team Event – the first of the Artistic Gymnastics events being contested at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Taking place in the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, Thursday 5 April marks the first day of Gymnastics competition, with the Men’s Team Final and Individual Qualification taking place across the day.

In Glasgow 2014, the men’s team picked up silver in the Team Event, making Commonwealth history as the first-ever Scottish team to medal in the event.

Looking to replicate this result is Team Scotland’s 2018 men’s team, consisting of Frank Baines, Hamish Carter, Kelvin Cham, Daniel Purvis, and David Weir. With a collective array of medals which include World, British, Scottish and Northern European Championships titles, the team is in the best possible shape to take on the competition.

Frank Baines (22) and Daniel Purvis (27) are no strangers to Commonwealth Games, with Gold Coast 2018 marking their second foray into a Games competition. The final three men are making their Commonwealth debut in Gold Coast.

Kelvin Cham, 19, and one of the youngest members of the men’s team, said: “I’m glad we’re competing fairly early on in the Games schedule as we’ve been in Australia for quite a while now, and we’ve been training so much and we’re all really keen to get started.

“Being at my first Games is really special – this has been my goal for so long and it’s amazing to be here. It’s also great to be here with the other four guys in the team as we’re a close group and it’s nice to have others to bounce off of, especially when they’re going through the same experience as you.

“The competition will be tough. England has a pretty strong team, and obviously Canada and Australia are up there too. However, we’re focussed on our own performances and will go out there and do everything we can to try and win a medal.”

Artistic Gymnastics will be contested between Thursday 5 – Monday 9 April, with Team Scotland competing in the Men’s Team event on Thursday 5 April at 17:00 (08:00 UK time) before the women’s team take to the stage on Friday.

Team Scotland will look to shoot their way to success on Australia’s Gold Coast, as both Netball and Basketball teams face England on the opening afternoon of the XXI Commonwealth Games.

Following a hugely successful preparation camp on the Sunshine Coast, the teams turn their attention to competition with both sports set to get their Commonwealth campaign underway on Thursday.

Team Scotland’s netballers will take to the court at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the first of five Pool B group games. After recent movement up the World rankings, the team will look to improve on their ninth place finish at Glasgow 2014. With England ranked six places higher in global terms, Head Coach Gail Parata believes it is important for Scotland to focus on achieving their own goals against the English side.

“England are number three in the World and they will be pushing close to a gold medal final match,” she said. “We have targets that we want to come here and achieve and we have played England in the pre-season run through early January so we know what they can do. It is going to be tough for us but we will hit our targets and stick to our processes and see what happens from there.”

Basketball returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 12 years and Thursday evening’s game will see Scotland Head Coach, Rob Beveridge, former assistant coach for Australia, take charge of the team for the first time, an experience he is looking forward to.

“This role is a special one for me and my family,” he said. “With Scottish blood, it is a huge honour to be part of Team Scotland and I am really happy with the focus of these players. Our progress and professionalism since arriving in Australia has been outstanding and by buying into what we are trying to do, it lets me know that when Games time comes around we will be ready to go.”

The Men’s Basketball group stages are taking place in Townsville, in the north of Queensland, with Scotland competing in Group B alongside England, Cameroon and India. Beveridge, who won gold with Australia last time the sport was included, believes facing England first is the perfect way to start the Games.

“It is a really exciting challenge, we all know that the sporting rivalry between the two countries is not one that goes back just a year or two. This has been built up over centuries and to be a part of that is a privilege for everyone involved with the team and we will be hoping to rise to the occasion to do the whole of Scotland proud, both out here and at home.”

Multiple Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth medal-winning athlete Eilidh Doyle has been chosen to carry the Scottish Flag and lead Team Scotland into the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games, which takes place at the Carrara Stadium on 4 April.

Doyle was appointed flag bearer by her fellow Team Scotland athletes following a vote and was announced today (2 April) at a reception held at The Home of the Arts on Australia’s Gold Coast. Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Sport presented her with the flag in front of her fellow athletes, team officials and supporters.

Eilidh was selected from a strong final shortlist including shooter Jennifer McIntosh, and Lawn Bowls pair Alex Marshall and Paul Foster. The three athletes will be invited to walk out immediately behind Eilidh as deputy flag bearers.

Competing in her third Commonwealth Games, Doyle is a two-time silver medalist, with her performance in the 400m hurdles at Hampden Park during Glasgow 2014 undoubtedly one of the standout moments of Scotland’s most successful ever Games. She comes to Australia fresh from winning Bronze in the 400m at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

Eilidh is an inspirational leader, having captained Great Britain at the 2017 World Championships in London, where she won silver as part of the 4x400m team. It was that medal which confirmed her as Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete; and she is the current holder Scottish records in the 400m hurdles, 4x400m and indoor 400m.

Reflecting on her selection, Eilidh said: “This is just such a huge honour. I was really chuffed to have been nominated but to actually be voted to carry the flag is something else.

“It is also very special that I will be the first female to carry the flag. I am very proud to represent women in sport and I am a very patriotic Scot; so to step out and wave the Saltire will be an amazing feeling!”

Sport Minister Aileen Campbell said: “To be selected as your country’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games is a great honour, but also recognition of that athlete’s achievements and the respect they have from their fellow team members.

“I am delighted for Eilidh who is a very popular member of the team, and I am sure she will do her country proud when she leads out Team Scotland at the opening ceremony on Wednesday.”

Congratulating Eilidh on her selection, Paul Bush OBE, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The announcement of the team flag bearer is a special occasion, signaling the end of our preparation and the final countdown to what we hope will be our most successful ever overseas Games.

“Eilidh embodies everything Team Scotland stands for as a proud, ambitious and inspirational leader; and the experience she has gathered throughout her illustrious career makes her the perfect candidate to lead us out into the Games Opening Ceremony.”

Scotland House, a welcoming home from home for visiting supporters to watch the action and celebrate Team Scotland’s sporting success, officially opened its doors with two days until the Games begin.

It will also host a range of events linked to the Games, as well as hosting team press conferences and post-competition media activity. Importantly it also provides a tranquil space for athletes and their families and friends to meet in private and relax; before and after competition.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “With Scotland House now officially open, we will look forward to welcoming hundreds of athletes, friends, family and team supporters here over the next two weeks.

“As always, we have strived to make Scotland House look like a slice of home, using our team logos and branding; all of which have an authentic local feel. It’s the first thing you see when you walk through the door and I am sure we will all agree how impactful it is. A huge thank you to the Scottish Government in understanding the value of Scotland House and continuing to support us in its delivery.”

Scotland House will open daily until Sunday 15 April and is being run in conjunction with EventScotland and VisitScotland. There will be an information desk open from 0800hrs to 0930hrs, with Scotland House being fully open from 1000hrs to 2300hrs and later on some evenings where required.

The hotel is close to a G:Link tram stop at Cypress Avenue, only 100m away. This goes to the Athletes’ Village via a number of Games venues at Broadwater Parklands (Triathlon and Marathon) and Southport (Swimming) or in the opposite direction down to Broadbeach (Lawn Bowls, Netball Preliminaries and the Main Media Centre). Trams will run 24 hours during the Games and can be accessed free of charge with a Games accreditation or event ticket.

Keep abreast of the events happening at Scotland House and other useful information on the Scotland House page of our website.

Team Scotland will be well represented in Triathlon at Gold Coast 2018 as a trio of athletes toe the start line on Thursday 5 April, the opening day of competition. Looking to make their mark will be Beth Potter in the women’s race and Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon in the men’s event.

Much has been made of Potter’s attempt at making history, as running in the 10,000m a few days later she’ll become the first Team Scotland athlete ever to compete in two sports at the same Games. It will be her hardest challenge yet, competing three times in five days, just one year on from taking up her new sport.

“It is going to be challenging, as on Thursday I have the Individual Triathlon, Saturday the Triathlon Mixed Team Relay and Monday the 10,000m, so it’s not giving me much time to recover. Last year after the World Champs 10,000m I did a triathlon six days later and that wasn’t pretty, so I’m hoping that this way round should be better, as doing a track race is harder on the legs.

“After Rio I just re-evaluated what I wanted to do. Everyone thought I was a bit crazy because I hadn’t even done a triathlon yet and I said I’d wanted to do the double! But it’s always an honour to pull on the Scotland kit, so to do it in two sports is extra special.”

Marc Austin returns having thrilled the crowds in Glasgow as he exited the swim with the Brownlee brothers and dug deep to ride with them in a three man leading group clear of the rest of the field. Although he ultimately finished down in 21^st place he sent the Scottish crowd into overdrive and gained enormously from the experience.

“I learnt a lot in Glasgow so I’m a lot more experienced now,” he said. I hope to use that experience to show that I’m a better athlete than four years ago.

“Last year was a bit of a breakthrough into the senior ranks with my best result fourth in a World Cup in Madrid, but this winter I’ve tried to address the weaknesses that showed up last year. I’ve been really looking at my bike strength and trying to close the gap on the best in the world. I feel like I’m a much more well-rounded athlete than this time last year and I’m looking forward to seeing how that translates come race day.”

“Meeting up with rest of Team Scotland has been great and this is the only chance I really get to be part of a massive team – it’s amazing to feel part of one big unit as opposed to just being on your own.”

Austin’s teammate Grant Sheldon also has experience from Glasgow, having produced an accomplished performance for 14^th place and he too will be looking to improve on that on the Gold Coast.

Once the individual races are done and dusted the aforementioned trio, plus youngster Erin Wallace, will turn their attention to the Mixed Team Relay, where the Scots will be hoping to push for a medal after finishing seventh in the inaugural event in Glasgow.

Team Scotland’s lawn bowlers are gearing up for 11 days of competition as they take to the greens at Broadbeach Bowling Club on the opening day of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The first day of competition will see all 17 Scottish bowlers in action, as six disciplines are played across the day: Men’s Triples and Pairs, Women’s Fours and Singles, Para-Sport Mixed B2/B3 Pairs and Open B6/B7/B8 Triples.

Alex Marshall and Paul Foster return to the greens as reigning champions in the Men’s Pairs and will be starting their preliminary rounds on Thursday. The duo picked up gold at both Melbourne 2006 and Glasgow 2014 – a title they are keen to hold on to at Gold Coast 2018.

Alex, from Tranent, said: “We worked hard for the gold in Glasgow 2014, and that’s something we’re here to replicate this year.

“I try not to let the pressure of the competition get to me. For me, it’s important to remember that we are considered the pair to beat – and that we’ve put in all the hard work and training to get to this point. We’re ready to take on the competition and are really looking forward to getting started.”

Lawn Bowls is one of the seven sports at the Games to have Para-Sport integrated into the competition schedule. The other six are Aquatics, Athletics, Cycling, Table Tennis, Triathlon and Weightlifting. Team Scotland will compete in all Para-Sports except Table Tennis.

Glasgow 2014 silver medallists in the B2/B3 Mixed Pairs, Irene Edgar and her director David Thomas return to Commonwealth Games action on Thursday and will team up with Robert Barr and his Director Sarah Jane Ewing for a shot at another podium place.

Also in action are the B6/B7/B8 Triples and Garry Brown, competing at his first Games, spoke about the benefits of playing Para-Bowls as part of the Commonwealth Games. He said: “After Glasgow 2014, we noticed a big uplift in the number of people with disabilities coming along to try their hand at Para-Bowls, and it was even more special because the Games were at home and we could make the most of that increase in interest.

“Over the last few months, again, we’ve noticed an increase. We host development days across the country and these are steadily getting busier and busier. The Games definitely show people that sport is for everyone and we are always really happy to see more interest in Para-Bowls.

“I can’t wait to get started here in Gold Coast. We never aim for anything less than Gold – and we’re not unique in that aspect. Everyone here is striving for gold so there’s a lot of competition. However, we’ve been practising as often as we can throughout the country and we’re here to play our best. If that means walking away with a medal then we’ll be very happy!”

The Lawn Bowls competition will run right through to the final day of the Games, with Team Scotland’s bowlers competing across all 10 medal events: Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Pairs, Men’s and Women’s Triples, Men’s and Women’s Fours, B2/B3 Mixed Pairs, and B6/B7/B8 Open Triples.

Games played on the first day of competition (Thursday 5 April) will be:

Team Scotland was officially welcomed to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games with a vibrant display of traditional and modern Australian culture in the Athletes’ Village.

Each team from the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth is welcomed to the Village in a special ceremony to acknowledge the journeys made by athletes and team officials to the Games and mark the start of their residency in the Village.

After a short procession, the team were treated to a traditional Welcome to Country by Tugambeh performers of the Mununjali tribe.

The indigenous troupe performed a creation dance that took the Scots back in time to when the Gold Coast was first created, before inviting Team Scotland weightlifter Jodey Hughes and hockey player Kareena Cuthbert to participate in the ceremony by placing the ‘soil of the land’ on to their hands to signify the indigenous exchange.

Hughes, who will compete in the 58kg category, said: “I had just had breakfast and was still feeling a bit lethargic and jet-lagged, but I came away from here full of energy. It was incredible and an amazing way to be welcomed.”

While Hughes competes at her first Commonwealth Games, hockey player Alan Forsyth is relishing being back with Team Scotland for his third. “Checking in and being officially welcomed makes the Commonwealth Games feel all the more real,” he said.

“The achievements and memories made by athletes will last a lifetime, connecting with other athletes and other sports in a way that’s unique to multi-sports Games.”

The long-standing custom for the Athletes’ Villages to appoint a Village Mayor saw Olympic medallists Mark Stockwell (Swimming, 1984) and Sara Carrigan (Cycling, 2004) share the honour of representing the Organising Committee in the Village.

Team Scotland numbers 224 athletes, with 131 men and 93 women, including 18 Para-Sport athletes, set to compete over the 11 days of competition.

Jon Doig OBE, Chef de Mission of Team Scotland, added: “For our athletes and officials, hearing ‘Flower of Scotland’ as the saltire is raised at the team welcome ceremony signifies that Team Scotland are in residence and the final phase of preparations has begun. Now is the time to apply the finishing touches in our bid to deliver our most successful overseas Games.”

The Athletes’ Village is just a short trip to the Carrara Stadium, venue for the Opening Ceremony this Wednesday 4 April. Thousands of fans, athletes and officials will be welcomed, celebrated and entertained as the XXI Commonwealth Games begin.

It will be a momentous day for the Gold Coast, as the biggest event in its history begins and sets the tone for 11 days of world-class sporting competition.

Team Scotland’s numbers in the Athletes’ Village received a boost today with the arrival of over 70 athletes and staff, as several sports made the transition down from a successful preparation camp in Sunshine Coast.

Boxing, Weightlifting and both men’s and women’s Hockey teams had their first taste of  Village life and are raring to go with just four days until the Opening Ceremony of Gold Coast 2018.

“It’s really cool and colourful,” said Hockey goalkeeper Amy Gibson. “Everyone is really friendly and the place is amazing. I’m very excited for the Games. I’ve not seen the Hockey venue in person yet, just pictures, but it looks incredible.”

With the Team Scotland area of the Village decked out with flags and banners incorporating the iconic design developed in a collaboration between well-known Gold Coast artist, Leeton Lee and Edinburgh design agency, Brand Oath, the striking look has been a hit with the athletes.

It makes me proud to be Scottish,” said 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Boxing gold medallist Sean Lazzerini. “It makes it feel like home, it’s really warm and everyone’s really nice. I’m just really excited now for the competition to start.”

The Cycling team also flew in from their preparation camp in Sydney. They had a tour of the Village to meet their team mates before heading up to Brisbane, where they will be based for the duration of their competition, near the newly constructed Anna Meares Velodrome.

Now they are settled in the Village, the athletes’ thoughts are turning to doing Team Scotland proud once competition begins. Hockey player Michael Bremner said: “I’m really looking forward to the first game, it’s going to be exciting!

“We’ve already been in Australia for a week and a half, so we’ve played some warm up games, done some training and got over the jetlag. We’ve trained very hard and are in a really good place right now, so we’re looking forward to see how we do, competing against some really top teams.”

Team Scotland’s official welcome ceremony takes place tomorrow, as Aquatics, Netball, Triathlon, Shooting and Wrestling also move down to the Gold Coast.

Team Scotland’s boxers are into their final few days at team camp on the Sunshine Coast and they’re fully focused on the ultimate prize – a gold medal on the Gold Coast.

Tapering off to fight time, the boxers are enjoying a few lighter sessions and some down time in the heat.

Preparing to compete at his first Commonwealth Games, Stephen Newns is full of praise for the facilities on Sunshine Coast and the support the boxers have received in the lead into competition.

“Preparation has been great, and the training programme has been spot-on,” he said. We’ve all followed it. The food we are getting has been fantastic, as has the weather of course.”

There has also been some positive fighting talk from a team that is well prepared and raring to get into the Village and then into the ring.

Reece McFadden will compete in his second Games, having won bronze at Glasgow 2014, and is keen to place higher on the podium this time round. “Everyone is in the same mentality, to get the gold,” he said, a sentiment echoed by fellow Glasgow 2014 competitor Scott Forrest as he added: “I’ve got my eyes on gold. If you’ve got your eyes on anything less in this sport then you shouldn’t be here.”

While the camp is full of positivity, with the Boxing draw being unseeded, a tough first round opponent is a real possibility for all boxers. They will have to wait until the day before competition to discover who they will face in the opening bout and will then have to negotiate several rounds on route to a potential medal.

With some of the team having experienced the buzz around a home Games at Glasgow 2014 first-hand, they know the importance of support from friends and family, whether they’re near or far.

“The support is great back home, said Aqeel Ahmed, who placed fifth in the 49kg category in Glasgow. “My family, friends and club are really supporting me and they know how much it means to me to try and win a medal.”

“The support I’ve had has been overwhelming,” added Reece McFadden. “It’s amazing to see all of Scotland right behind you.”

Now it’s time to put the preparation and the positivity into practice and see what treasures they can take home to Scotland for all their supporters to see.