Birmingham has been selected as the preferred UK candidate city for a potential bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The decision comes after an independent assessment panel including Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive Paul Blanchard and officials from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport made the recommendation for Birmingham to Ministers.

The government, in consultation with Commonwealth Games England, will now make a final decision if the UK will submit a formal bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation, with Birmingham as the proposed candidate city.

This decision will be made based on whether Birmingham’s proposals for the 2022 Commonwealth Games offer overall value for money for the UK taxpayer.  If Birmingham’s bid passes this final stage of assessment then a formal bid will be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation in the coming weeks.

On hearing the news, Paul Bush OBE Chair of Commonwealth Game Scotland said: “Many congratulations to Birmingham on their successful bid as England’s candidate city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Scotland is extremely supportive of an England bid for the Games, as we believe this would help to maintain the momentum for sport across the UK on the back of the huge success of London 2012, Glasgow 2014, the 2017 World and Para Athletics Championships and with the Glasgow 2018 European Championships still to come.

“We very much hope that England’s intention to bid is confirmed by colleagues at Commonwealth Games England and the British Government and we look forward to an early decision by the Commonwealth Games Federation to enable everyone to get behind the Games and capitalise on the exciting opportunities it would bring for all the home countries.”

While both bids were of high quality, Birmingham’s bid was considered particularly strong on its management of risk, its high quality existing venue infrastructure and its plans for a long term sporting legacy.

Recognised for their extraordinary dedication to their local communities, five of Scotland’s top performing sporting initiatives have been named as finalists for Community Hub, Club or School of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Awarded to the Community Sport Hub, Club or School which has made the most progress and impact on their community over the last year, the award attracted dozens of nominations across a wide range of sporting pursuits and from every region of Scotland. Impressing the judges with their innovation and ambition, Drumchapel Community Sports Hub, Springburn Harriers, Fyrish Gymnastics Club, Clovenstone Boxing Club and Fairfield Community Sports Hub will now go head to head for the top award supported by sportscotland.

Drumchapel Community Sport Hub are making a huge difference to their local community, particularly with the Get Active in Drumchapel project which saw the hub deliver activities to over 1100 local people. The project targeted traditionally inactive groups including teen girls, older adults, people recovering from addiction, people with a disability and women. The hub also works with a range of partners including Active Schools to deliver the ‘Drumwealth Games’ which involves 490 local school pupils.

Innovation abounds at Springburn Harriers, notably with the G21 Project which targets an area of deprivation in their local community, encouraging participation and membership from young people, adults and families who may previously have found it difficult to access sporting activities. The first athletics club in the UK to be recognised as a Duke of Edinburgh awarding centre, they have also seen the start of the Mini Harriers, bringing more young people into the sport and giving 18 of their existing young athletes experience of delivering the sessions.

Fyrish is a small gymnastics club in the Scottish Highlands delivering gymnastics sessions to over 400 young people – with over 10% of under 16s in the town attending the club. The club has become more than a sports club, with regular late night sessions for dis-engaged teenagers at risk of anti-social behaviour producing many young leaders and coaches. Using sport as a way to engage with this group has brought multiple benefits for the participants, the club and the local community.

Situated in a community listed in the top 15% most deprived areas in Scotland, Clovenstone Boxing Club has successfully created a space for safe, controlled, meaningful social and physical interaction. Alongside boxing training, the club reaches out to the local community with youth health clubs, family food clubs and English for speakers of other languages. The club’s influence extends out-with the gym itself, delivering activity to three local high schools, to individuals in social care, and to individuals with a history of alcohol and substance abuse.

Fairfield Community Sports Hub consists of nine sports clubs with the aim of being the catalyst community pride, enthusiasm and connectivity across all age groups. The hub has taken considerable strides in the last year, including the establishment of a successful partnership with Dundee City Council aimed at offering combined employability CPD opportunities and coach education to unemployed men in the community. Targeted group work has also included the creation of girls, disability and walking football clubs as well as rolling out tennis taster sessions and lunchtime clubs in local primary schools.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Community Hubs, clubs and schools sit at the heart of Scottish sport, providing a vital route into recreational and competitive sport, as well as making a huge contribution to the health and well-being of the nation as a whole. The phenomenal dedication of our five finalists to their communities deserves recognition and they should be rightly proud of their achievements over the past year.”

The Community Hub, Club or School of the Year award is supported by sportscotland, the lead agency for the development of sport in Scotland. Establishing community sport hubs comprising partnerships from across clubs, schools and local organisation partners was a key goal linked to Glasgow 2014. sportscotland’s mission is to build a world class sporting system for everyone in Scotland, making sport a way of life, placing it at the heart of society and making a positive impact on people and communities.

Winners across all categories will be crowned at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on 21 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

With the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards just three weeks away, Commonwealth Games Scotland, in partnership with the European Championships, Glasgow 2018, is excited to announce the launch of the Sporting Moment of the Year 2017 public vote.

History makers, passion, emotion, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat – from Scotland’s stunning win over Ireland in the opening game of the Six Nations to Laura Muir smashing a 32 year old Championship record on route to European Indoor gold, Scotland’s sporting stars have thrilled and inspired throughout the last year in an impressive array of sports.

Seven top Scottish sporting moments have been shortlisted by our judges, with the winner to be determined by an online public vote. The award will go to the sporting performance over the last 12 months that has captured the hearts of the nation.

Sammi Kinghorn racing to a first ever global title in a new World Record, Leigh Griffiths scoring two free kicks in quick succession to take Scotland into a 2-1 lead over England in their World Cup qualifier and boxer Josh Taylor defeating Ohara Davies to retain his Commonwealth Title belt were standout moments. Also in the running are the new dawn for Scottish Netball as the Sirens made their Superleague debut in front of 5,000 supporters at Emirates Arena and Stephen Milne and Duncan Scott’s gold medal winning performance as part of the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle at the World Championships.

Each of these moments has made Scotland proud, but which deserves to take the title of Sporting Moment of the Year 2017?

Register your vote in our Online Poll

Voting will close at 23.59 on Sunday 10 September with the winner to be revealed at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on Thursday 21 September.

Scotland are set to face England in the opening game of the Gold Coast 2018 Basketball competition on 5 April in Townsville. Following confirmation last month that Team Scotland will be participating in Men’s Basketball, the match schedule was announced today (29 August) revealing the first game clash with the Auld Enemy.

The eight competing nations have been split into two pools of four which will compete against each other during the preliminary rounds to be held in Townsville and Cairns between 5-10 April.

Placed in Pool B, Scotland will follow their opening game with England, playing Cameroon on 7 April and will conclude their pool matches against India on 8 April. All three games will take place in Townsville.

After the Pool stage, the top two teams from Pool A will proceed to the semi-finals, whilst the bottom two teams from Pool A will play the top two teams from Pool B in the qualifying finals which, for the men’s competition, will be held in Cairns. The remaining two Pool B teams are eliminated.

The winner of the qualifying final will then advance to the semi-final and medal matches on the Gold Coast from 13-15 April 2018.

Reacting to the match schedule newly appointed Men’s National Team Head Coach, Tony Garbelotto, said: “The schedule for the Commonwealth Games was going to be tough regardless, but I am happy with the outcome. Without fully knowing the makeup of teams that each nation will send, we know that we still have a great chance to advance to the knockout stages. Playing England first is an exciting prospect for us as a team and indeed for the whole nation who we know will be right behind us.”

Gold Coast will be only the second time Basketball has been included in the Games programme with the sport making its debut at Melbourne in 2006 where Scotland finished sixth.

Individual player selection will be made early in 2018 to ensure player form and fitness.

After an exciting five days in Scotland the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton made its final appearance at the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo, with Team Scotland medallists Lynsey Sharp and Hannah Miley having the honour of carrying the Baton down the world famous Castle Esplanade, taking the Royal salute prior to the start of the show.

Two of Scotland’s highest profile athletes, Lynsey and Hannah proudly carried the Queen’s Baton down the Esplanade flanked by the Royal Navy Guard of Honour, supported by the Drums from the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Royal Marines, to a huge warm welcome from the international crowd.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an iconic Scottish showcase, is a firm favorite in Australia, with the show broadcast to bring in the New Year down under.

Edinburgh’s track and field star Lynsey Sharp, who won Commonwealth Games silver in the 800m at Glasgow 2014 and has just returned from the 2017 World Championships, started proceedings, before passing the Baton to Hannah.

Lynsey said: “It is a massive honour to carry the Baton and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I miss Edinburgh a lot. I grew up here going to the Tattoo and my school performed here so it is really special.

“Now that Worlds are out the way, Commonwealths are the next big focus. I have great memories from Glasgow and I am really looking forward to it being a different experience being so far from home. The Scottish athletics team has come on a long way since Glasgow so that is really exciting as well and on a personal level I would love to  go one better than Glasgow.

“We don’t get the opportunity to compete for Scotland very often so it makes being part of Team Scotland even more special and I love being part of that smaller even tighter knit team.”

Double Commonwealth Games gold medallist in Swimming, Hannah Miley who hopes to compete in her fourth Games in Gold Coast and would love to defend her 400m Individual Medley title for a second time said: “I feel very proud and it is such a wonderful honour and I feel very lucky to have been chosen. I watched the Baton Relay for 2006, 2010 and for Glasgow in 2014 and for the athletes it signifies the start of the build-up for the Games. This is the first time I have taken part in the Baton Relay which makes it quite special and to be the last Batonbearer is really cool!

“It means the World to me to represent Team Scotland. When athletes compete you are not only doing it for yourself, but for your team and for your nation. There is something homely about it and it resonates in your heart a bit more when you put on the Scottish kit and you hear the Scottish anthem.

“The Scottish people have been so supportive to me over the years that I would love to be able to give back and do well in Gold Coast. I have a very intensive seven months of training ahead of me, but I aim to go there and just race for my team and hopefully put on a great performance that is special to watch like in Glasgow.”

Brigadier David Allfrey MBE, Producer & Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo added: As we close our 2017 season, it’s a huge honour to part of such a big moment for the Commonwealth and weaves wonderfully with our theme for next year ‘Sky’s the Limit’ which celebrates Scotland’s amazing young people and their aspirations.”

Earlier in the day the Baton had made visits to two major sports events where Scottish athletes are striving to be selected for Team Scotland for the 2018 Games.

The QBR joined athletes past and present for a celebration lap of the Grangemouth Stadium track, at the Scottish Senior Athletics Championships which is a selection event for Gold Coast 2018.

It then hit the Beach at Portobello for a showcase of Beach Volleyball, which will make its Commonwealth Games debut in Gold Coast next year. Carrying the Baton were Team Scotland hopefuls, Lynne Beattie, Melissa Coutts, Robin Miedzybrodzki and Seain Cooke, all training hard and aiming to be selected for the Games.

Delighted with the reception the Queen’s Baton Relay has received this week, Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “It is great to see the Queen’s Baton Relay making such an impact up and down the country, with so many people getting the opportunity to touch the Gold Coast 2018 Baton on its global journey. The reception for our Team Scotland athletes, not to mention our mascot Clyde, has been quite overwhelming and hopefully this wave of support will continue to build, up to next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“It was really special to have the Baton here at Edinburgh Castle tonight prior to the Tattoo, one of the most iconic Scottish events acclaimed across the world and I believe it was a fitting finale to the 41^st stop on the Baton’s global journey.”

There was definitely a sporty theme to today’s activities on the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay visit which centred on Stirling and Falkirk, where hundreds of young people were excited to be connecting with Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Games.

The day started at St Ninians Primary School in Stirling, well known for its ‘Daily Mile’ activity which encourages all school pupils to be physically active. The arrival of the Baton was also a chance to celebrate St Ninians link to Coolangatta State School as part of the Gold Coast 2018 Schools Connect programme.

Pupils were joined by Batonbearer and Team Scotland Para-Athlete Sammi Kinghorn, fresh from success at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London where she won two gold and one bronze medal on the track.

There to enjoy the proceedings, along with John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, Convener of Stirling Council’s Education Committee Susan McGill said: “The Daily Mile, introduced in St Ninians Primary in Stirling, is a powerful tool to improve children’s fitness and I am proud that our schools led the way in improving children’s health.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay is an iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games and the involvement of St Ninians pupils will inspire pride in the local community and across the region.”

The Baton then headed to Falkirk where rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the large contingent of school children at a Commonwealth themed schools’ festival at the Helix and Kelpies. The McIntosh sisters, originally from Falkirk, took the Queen’s Baton on a lap of the iconic landmark, accompanied by a group of ‘mini batonbearers’ from local schools. Jennifer is Team Scotland’s most decorated female athlete of all time and along with sister Seonaid, became European Champions in small bore rifle shooting last month.

Paul Finnie, Sport and Recreation Manager at Falkirk Community Trust said “We’re delighted to welcome the Queen’s Baton relay to our facilities, namely Grangemouth Stadium and The Helix. We are so very proud of the athletes who are training and developing in the Falkirk area and look forward to cheering on Team Scotland in 2018!”

The last stop of the day was to the University of Stirling, home of Team Scotland and high performance sport to meet with students linked to the Commonwealth and Team Scotland athletes past and present.

Amongst the sports stars there to carry the Baton were Anna Sloan, Curling Olympic bronze medallist; swimming World medallist, Duncan Scott and Ross Murdoch, Glasgow 2014 gold medallist.

The QBR also visited the sportscotland Institute of Sport – meeting the ‘team behind the team’ who are helping to prepare Team Scotland athletes for the Commonwealth Games. There the Baton was led in by David Somerville, Commonwealth Games silver medallist in Judo and member of Team Scotland 2018 general team management.

There was also some ‘home’ support for the Gold Coast 2018 Baton from Mayor Mark Jamieson of Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland, who are hosting the Team Scotland Team Camp ahead of next year’s Games. He enjoyed the opportunity to hear more about the Team’s preparation plans from Mike Whittingham, Director of the sportscotland institute of sport and members of the Team Camp staff.

Welcoming Mayor Jamieson to Scotland, Team Scotland Chef de Mission Jon Doig OBE said: “The key to Team 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 are delighted with the strong partnerships we are developing with Mayor Jamieson and colleagues on the Sunshine Coast. Backed by the excellent support we receive from the sportscotland institute of sport, we are confident that the facilities and environment on the Sunshine Coast and at Twin Waters, will provide the ideal home from home for the athletes as they adjust to the travel, climate, culture and the unique multi-sport environment of the Commonwealth Games.

“With the Games in Australia only seven months away, we are now finalising our plans and everyone is working hard to ensure we can deliver our best ever overseas Games performance.”

Following a successful first two days of its Scotland tour in Glasgow and Islay, the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay headed north, with youth a strong focus in a range of school and community events in Dundee, Angus and Aberdeen.

Ailsa Wylie, Team Scotland Hockey representative at both the Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, began proceedings in her hometown of Dundee as she carried the Baton into Clepington Primary School, a sportscotland gold standard sports award school, to an enthusiastic reception. The excitement stepped up another notch with the appearance of Team Scotland mascot Clyde, who joined pupils for a morning of Australian and Commonwealth themed activities.

Councillor Bill Campbell, at Clepington Primary in his role as Young People’s Champion, said: “This is fantastic for Dundee and it’s fantastic for the school. The kids are all very excited and this is something that they’ll be able to look back on in years to come and say that they were part of. The Queen’s Baton Relay is such a special thing and it keeps the momentum of the Commonwealth Games going by connecting memories of when we had the Games in Scotland a few years ago with the next Games in Australia.”

Next stop for the Baton was the Bon Scott statue in Kirriemuir, celebrating the famous Australian-Scot lead singer of ACDC. To the sounds of the group’s well known music played on the bagpipes, the local community came out to greet the Baton and meet Batonbearer, Commonwealth Games Lawn Bowls gold medallist, Darren Burnett.

The presence of the Baton brings Gold Coast 2018 one step closer for athletes, as Team Scotland aims for its best ever medal haul at an overseas Games and Darren is looking to be back on Team Scotland for a shot at repeating his triumph of the Glasgow 2014 Games.

“Glasgow 2014 was so special, not just for the athletes who competed but for everyone in Scotland,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to see people out supporting Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Games again today as the Queen’s Baton Relay makes its way around the country. Having the Baton here makes Gold Coast 2018 feel that bit closer and I would love to do Scotland proud with another medal at the Games next April.”

A busy morning over, the Baton was back on the road, this time to Aberdeen Sports Village, where a huge community event incorporating an Australia-themed high tea and a ‘School’s Back’ sports day involving over 1,000 schoolchildren were in full flow. Glasgow 2014 Wrestling medallist, Viorel Etko and multiple Commonwealth Games medallist in Shooting, Neil Stirton, were on hand to inspire the next generation as they tried out a range of Commonwealth Games sports.

Duncan Sinclair, CEO, Aberdeen Sports Village said: “Everyone at ASV had a fantastic time welcoming and celebrating the Queen’s Baton Relay to Aberdeen. ASV is dedicated to offering sporting opportunities for everyone, helping people achieve their very best, so we were absolutely thrilled to be part of such an exciting event warming up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

The finale to the day’s proceedings was a reception at Stirling Castle, hosted by the Scottish Government, to celebrate the success of Team Scotland’s young athletes at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games. The 40-strong team returned with an impressive 21 medals, including eight gold, the best performance by a Scottish team since the 2004 event in Bendigo, Australia where far fewer nations participated. Bahamas 2017 was also the first time the Queen’s Baton had visited a Youth Games as part of its global tour, helping to inspire the next generation of athletes.

The assembled guests welcomed the Queen’s Baton into the Great Hall, carried in by Youth Games flagbearer, boxer Lewis Johnstone. Awards representing the Team Scotland values of Proud, United, Ambitious, Inspirational and Inclusive were presented to athletes by Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, and former Scotland Rugby 7s captain, Colin Gregor, who led the team at Bahamas 2017 as General Team Manager.

Swimmer Scot McLay, who became Scotland’s most successful Youth Games athlete in history with three gold, one silver and one bronze at Bahamas 2017, was named as Athlete of the Games.​

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “It is great to see the Queen’s Baton Relay making such an impact up and down the country, with so many people getting the opportunity to touch the Gold Coast 2018 Baton on its global journey. The reception for our Team Scotland athletes, not to mention our mascot Clyde, has been quite overwhelming and hopefully this wave of support will continue to build, up to next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“It was really special to have the Baton here at Stirling Castle tonight as part of our Commonwealth Youth Games celebrations and I am confident that many of these young athletes will be truly inspired to go on and represent Team Scotland at senior level in years to come.”

Minister for Sport, Aileen Campbell said: “It’s great to be able to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Scotland during its journey around the Commonwealth. There has been tremendous enthusiasm across Scotland as the Baton has toured the country, rekindling fond memories of the Games in 2014.

“Scotland hosted the most successful Commonwealth Games ever in Glasgow 2014 and our firm aim is to achieve our best away Games ever in Australia next year.”

A colourful festival of island culture welcomed the Queen’s Baton Relay to the Isle of Islay, on the second day of its tour through Scotland, on route to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Bathed in sunshine, the island’s stunning scenery was displayed at its best, as the population turned out in force to welcome the Baton for the first time in its history.

After leaving the plane to the skirl of the pipes, the first stop was Bowmore Primary School where pupils heard about the Baton’s journey around the Commonwealth before treating visitors to a display of music and country dancing, with the Baton passed from dancer to dancer in an energetic ‘Strip the Willow’.

The Baton was then met by Islay High School’s Sports Ambassadors and taken through a sport-themed guard of honour before being paraded down School Street, where schoolchildren from across the island lined the route to Bowmore Distillery.

Greeted by distillery staff in the stillroom, the Baton passed out onto the scenic shore of Loch Indaal before being carried by former Scotland Rugby 7s captain Colin Gregor down to the town square for the main community event of the day. A packed audience enjoyed stirring music from a combined school choir in their first public performance and a rousing display of highland dancing, with the Baton incorporated into a sword dance. After all those present had had their chance to see the Baton up close, it was off for the final stop of the day.

Back on Batonbearer duty, Colin jumped onto the back on a Duffie’s Haulage truck, more used to transporting barrels of whiskey than sporting stars, and the Baton was paraded through the streets to Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle (the Columba Centre Islay), its final destination before heading back to the airport.

Veteran of two Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland, including as captain at Glasgow 2014, Colin Gregor was full of praise for the reception from the people of Islay.

It’s been an outstanding response,” he said. It seemed like all 3,000 of the island’s occupants were out to welcome the Baton and celebrate the Commonwealth Games and they’ve created a really great atmosphere to be a part of.

“It’s really special to be chosen to carry the Baton. In the build up to Glasgow 2014 it was a proud moment and off the back of that, in the lead up to Gold Coast, it’s great to be a part of it once again. It’s been fantastic to come to such an awesome wee island and share the experience with them.”

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) arrived in Scotland today, the 42^nd stop on its global tour, ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

As hosts of the last Games in 2014, Glasgow was the first place to give the Baton a huge warm Scottish welcome, as it visited a range of youth and community projects with a strong focus on Games legacy.

Michael Jamieson, Olympic and Commonwealth silver medallist in swimming, had the honour of being the first Batonbearer when it arrived at the Glasgow School of Sport, accompanied by Louise Martin CBE, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland. They were greeted by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon MSP; Councillor Eva Bolander, Lord Provost of Glasgow; Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken and Angela Porter, Director of the Glasgow School of Sport.

Glasgow School of Sport is a hotbed of emerging young talent and has contributed numerous athletes to Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games and Youth Games, including Jamieson and fellow Batonbearer, 16 year old sprinter, Lauren Greig.

Accepting the Baton on behalf of Scotland, Jon Doig OBE, said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is the iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games and we are delighted to welcome the Gold Coast 2018 Baton to Scotland today. We have had tremendous enthusiasm and support from local authorities, schools and community groups across the country, helping to organize an exciting programme of events, using the QBR to connect their communities with the Games and embrace the values of the Commonwealth movement as a whole.

“The public support Team Scotland enjoyed for Glasgow 2014 was phenomenal and I look forward to seeing that passion sparked once again, as the Baton journeys through Scotland this week.”

Welcoming the Baton’s arrival, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Scotland during its journey around the Commonwealth ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Scotland hosted the most successful Commonwealth Games ever in Glasgow 2014 and we are looking to achieve our best away games ever in Australia next year.

“Bellahouston Academy has a proud record of producing athletes who have gone onto represent Scotland including our hugely successful Youth Commonwealth Games Team who brought back their highest haul of 21 medals from the recent Games in the Bahamas.

“We will continue to invest for the future by creating world-class facilities and providing funding for coaching and training so that, from grassroots to elite, Scotland can be proud of its sporting achievements.”

The presence of the Baton brings Gold Coast 2018 one step closer for athletes, as Team Scotland aims for its best ever medal haul at an overseas Games and Michael Jamieson said: “It is incredible to think that Glasgow 2014 was three years ago and now Scotland’s very best athletes are training hard once again, to qualify for Gold Coast in just eight months-time. Having the Queen’s Baton Relay here this week will spur them on even more and it will also help to get the public behind the team, which is really important.”

Next stop for the Baton was the former Commonwealth Games Village in Dalmarnock, which is now a thriving residential area and then over the new pedestrian cycle and footbridge into South Lanarkshire, for a loop of the Cuningar Woodland Park courtesy of the Bike Town cycling group, celebrating this important 2014 legacy project which is being driven by Clyde Gateway.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, former chair of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and now Chair of Clyde Gateway said: “I was proud to play my part in delivering the most successful ever Commonwealth Games back in 2014, but I am just as proud of the fact that my role with Clyde Gateway is helping to ensure the promises around a lasting and sustainable legacy are being kept.

“The remarkable and eye-catching physical changes in the east end of Glasgow and Rutherglen are being matched by a tremendous economic and social regeneration that has made a real difference to the lives of local people and will continue to do so for many more years to come.”

The busy morning concluded with a visit to meet youngsters at the Badminton Scotland ‘Big Hit’ participation event at the Emirates Arena, a 2017 World Badminton Championships initiative. Carrying the Baton and there to inspire the next generation of young players was Commonwealth Games badminton bronze medallist, Susan Egelstaff.

The Baton was then taken the short distance to The Legacy Hub by People’s Development Trust representative John Macaulay for a Dalmarnock community BBQ.

After visits to Team Scotland sponsor, CGI with Batonbearer  Para-Sport athlete Meggan Dawson-Farrell, there was a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland at a Common Purpose UK students programme, where discussions took place on what this generation of the Commonwealth can do to make our cities more safe and inclusive by 2030.

The finale to the day’s proceedings was a public event in George Square, where the Depute Lord Provost of Glasgow, Baillie Philip Braat met with Glasgow 2014 Clydesiders, including Batonbearer Izzy Conway and Commonwealth Youth Games boxing gold medallist, Tyler Jolly. The Square also witnessed the first meeting of Bonnie the Seal, the new face of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and the much loved former Glasgow 2014 mascot Clyde, who is now fully immersed in his new Team Scotland role.

Reflecting on the excitement in the city today, Councillor Eva Bolander, Lord Provost of Glasgow, said: “It only seems like yesterday that we were welcoming our own Queen’s Baton Relay to the city ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The people of Glasgow were so excited and enthusiastic, and it really was wonderful to see.

“There was a real sense of pride here in Glasgow today as the 2018 Queen’s Baton toured the city, from its welcome to the country by the next generation of elite Scottish athletes at the Glasgow School of Sport, to its visit with the young people participating in legacy events for the 2017 Badminton World Championships, and meeting with one of our fabulous Clydesiders in George Square.

“If the excitement today is any indicator, everyone in the country will be behind the Scottish athletes next April, cheering Team Scotland on as it aims for its best ever overseas medal haul!”

Team Scotland’s first ever Commonwealth Youth Games Cycling medallist, Dylan Hughes, and Bahamas 2017 team mate, Stephen Dent, will be on the start line at the Scottish National Road Race Championships this Sunday (20th August), the first Cycling event in the Team Scotland Series.

As riders flock to the roads of Kennoway in Fife, Dent joins a 79-strong field in the Senior Men’s race, while Hughes lines up in the open race for category 3, 4 and Junior riders. Also on the bill is the Senior Women’s Race where 28 competitors will compete for the title of Scottish Champion, including Team Scotland Glasgow 2014 triathlete Seonaid Thompson.

An exciting day of racing is on the cards with all events wide open and new champions set to be crowned in both senior events, with 2016 winners Eileen Roe and Evan Oliphant not defending their titles.

With almost all athletes who represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games having come through their sport’s National Championships, the Team Scotland Series is a ground-breaking collaboration bringing together Scottish Championship events across 13 Commonwealth Games sports.

Part of Team Scotland’s work to support member sports and champion the ongoing success of Scots on the national and international sporting stage, it aims to bring these domestic events to a wider audience, inspiring more Scots to excel.

The Senior Women’s race starts with a roll out at 11.10 am at Kennoway Primary School before racing begins at Bonnybank, taking in four laps of a 10 mile circuit before cutting off for a finish in Langside, estimated at around 1.20 pm.

The Senior Men’s race starts shortly after from Kennoway Primary School at 2 pm – taking in eight laps of the circuit before cutting off to cross the finish line – a total of 84 miles – estimated to finish around 5.20 pm. Presentations will be held straight after each race at Kennoway Primary School.

Get yourself along to cheer on the riders, with spectators recommend to watch from Bonnybank Inn, Cults Hill and Porters Summit for the best chance of seeing the riders come by.

More information on the event can be found on the Scottish Cycling website.