With just 20 days to go until the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games get underway in Samoa, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has named Craig McLean from swimming as the flagbearer for Youth Team Scotland. Craig will have the honour of carrying the saltire into the Opening Ceremony, which takes place in the athletics stadium at the Apia Park Sports Complex in Samoa on 5 September 2015.
The announcement was made by CGS Chairman, Paul Bush OBE at the Team Camp held at the University of Stirling this weekend, which plays a key role in preparing the athletes and bringing them together as a team, ahead of departure for Samoa on 30 August.
Livingston swimmer Craig McLean (16) will represent Youth Team Scotland in six backstroke, freestyle and relay events in Samoa. He is a multiple British and Scottish Age Group medallist and record holder and this year became the 2015 British Junior and Scottish Schools Champion in 100m Freestyle. Craig has broken an incredible 48 Scottish Records and 7 British Records since 2012.
A pupil of Deans Community High School and training with Carnegie Swimming Club in Fife, Craig is an outstanding individual swimmer but also excels in relays and is very supportive to his teammates.
Craig was voted as flagbearer by his Scotland team-mates, after a shortlist of three was selected prior to the Team Camp. Fellow shortlisted nominees, athlete George Evans (Inverness) and boxer Kieran McMaster(Kilmarnock) will walk behind Craig into the Opening Ceremony, followed by the rest of the team.
A delighted Craig McLean said: “It will be a huge honour to be able to wave Scotland’s flag going into the arena, to lead the country at the start of the Commonwealth Youth Games, it’s a huge, huge honour, once in a lifetime. Coming here I didn’t think it would be me so it’s unbelievable that I’ve been picked and it’s the athletes that voted for me.
“I’m excited to be going out to Samoa, I’ve never been anywhere near and I’m looking forward to racing against the rest of the Commonwealth and hopefully going on to the next Commonwealth Games which is my main goal. It will be a great experience and hopefully a stepping stone. I aim to learn everything I can and then I’ll be able to progress and hopefully be able to move on to the senior team if all goes to plan.
“I’m pretty nervous but excited too. Everyone will be looking at Scotland, everyone back home, and it will be me leading them out. It will just be a fantastic experience.”
Congratulating Craig, Paul Bush said: “To be named as flagbearer for Youth Team Scotland is a fantastic honour and Craig’s selection is a direct reflection of his performances over the last few years. Not only is Craig a fantastic athlete but his attitude and commitment to his fellow team members makes him an excellent role model.
“The Youth Games is a fabulous opportunity for all 28 of our young team members to embrace the Commonwealth Games experience and mix with fellow athletes from across the globe, as well as getting their first taste of international competition in a multi-sport Games.
“I wish the whole of Youth Team Scotland the very best of luck as they embark on what we hope will be their first of many Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland and the start of their journey to future international success.”
The selection and announcement of the flagbearer is a longstanding tradition, and Craig will follow in the footsteps of Louise Carroll (hockey), Gemma Nicol (athletics), Lisa Glover (athletics) and Tom Holligan (athletics), who carried the flag at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games.
With the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly taking place in Auckland, New Zealand next month, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is pleased to confirm its support for both Louise Martin CBE and Michael Cavanagh, who the organisation has nominated for the posts of CGF President and Vice President respectively.
Paul Bush, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman said: “This is one of the most important General Assemblies for the Commonwealth Games movement in many years, with several key issues to be discussed, as well as important Board elections to be held.
“CGS is delighted to be supporting Louise and Michael with nominations for senior CGF Board roles. They have both made significant contributions to the Commonwealth Games, here in Scotland and internationally and we are confident that they can help successfully steer the organisation’s future at this critical time in its development.”
Louise Martin CBE has unveiled her election manifesto and vision for the CGF called UnlockingOur Potential. Martin, who is a CGF Executive Board Member and Honorary Secretary, promises a new era of leadership in order to deliver enhanced revenues to all 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and grow the status and profile of the Games.
Unlocking Our Potential outlines how Martin will work collaboratively with all CGAs, International Federations, Organising Committees and other Commonwealth stakeholders to bring change to the Movement. Her Manifesto pledges include:
Working with the executive team to secure a minimum of four CGF headline partners by 2018
Protecting CGA Development Grants through the Host City Contract
Establishing a Youth Games Trust to enable every CGA to participate in the Youth Games
Helping CGAs to deliver their strategic plans through a bespoke CGF support programme
Martin, who was Vice Chair of the Organising Committee of Glasgow 2014, will also make it a priority to ensure that the best Commonwealth athletes want to compete in the Games, that they become strong advocates for the competition and that the CGF has a flagship event for which multiple countries want to bid.
Speaking about her candidacy, Louise Martin said: “From my earliest days competing as an athlete to my time serving the CGF Executive board, the Commonwealth sporting family has had a profound effect on my life. Standing for election as the next President of the CGF is my chance to give something back to the movement that means so much to me. Now is the time to ensure progress is delivered in an open and transparent way and that the views of the CGAs are fully reflected in the running of the CGF.
“I believe that the time is right for a new style of leadership to ensure that together we can fully unlock our potential and deliver on the needs of CGAs and our wider partners, especially in terms of maximising commercial opportunities. If we get this right, we can deliver enhanced revenues to support every CGA as well as Commonwealth sports development through greater investment.
“There is also much more we can do to grow the profile of our great sporting movement across the world to ensure that its unique identity is valued and our Games attract the best Commonwealth athletes, sponsors and, critically, future host cities. As someone with a proven track record of collaboration and delivery, as well as dedication and passion for our movement, I believe I am the right person to guide the CGF through the next stage of its Commonwealth journey and unlock the immense potential of our unique sporting movement.”
Michael Cavanagh, Immediate Past Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland and a former Glasgow 2014 Board Member, has been nominated by CGS for one of three Vice President positions.
Michael led CGS for an eight year period (2007-15), as Scotland prepared to host the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and oversaw Team Scotland’s preparations for its most successful Games ever, winning 53 medals including 19 gold. He played an active role as a Board member on the Organising Committee over its seven year tenure and specifically was Chairman of the Glasgow 2014 Sports Advisory Group.
Given his recent experience with the Commonwealth Games movement, helping to shape the delivery of the ‘best Games ever’ and his background as a competitor, coach, sport team manager and assistant general team manager with Scotland, Michael is committed to helping drive the change which is required to ensure that the CGF continues to grow and flourish in the increasingly crowded world of multi-sport events.
Talking about his own candidacy Michael Cavanagh said: “I have attended the CGF General Assembly as a delegate since 2008 and have been a strong advocate for change. Given my proven track record as Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland and as an effective Board member of Glasgow 2014, I feel well placed to contribute to the modernisation agenda of CGF as a member of the Executive Board. I am fully committed to supporting colleagues to complete the restructure of CGF and its operations and I have the skills and experience to lead on any of the organisation’s three priority business areas – the Games, Sport and Development.
“After the success of the Glasgow Games, I am excited at just what can be achieved by the CGF if it can respond to the changing environment of international sport. Recognising that the 71 member Commonwealth Games Associations are the heart of the organisation is, I believe, key to this success and I would relish the opportunity to play my part on the CGF team.”
Louise Martin’s Manifesto, Unlocking Our Potential, can be downloaded here.
Download: Louise Martin Manifesto
One year ago he was standing on the top step of the rostrum with his Men’s Fours team mates, Glasgow 2014 Gold medal round his neck, listening to ‘Flower of Scotland’ ring out around Kelvingrove. Now, David Peacock has announced he is retiring from major international championship competition for Scotland.
The 45 year old from Danderhall in Midlothian had always planned to retire after Glasgow 2014, his fourth consecutive Games. But having performed so wellat Kelvingrove he had spent much of the past year agonising over whether to extend his career for one last Games at the Gold Coast in 2018. In the end it came down to the balancing of family life and a full time job.
“To win the gold medal in Glasgow was the pinnacle of my career, but I just couldn’t see myself fully committing to the High Performance programme and continuing for another four years to the Gold Coast,” said Peacock, who played Lead in the men’s Triples and Fours in Glasgow.
“But now I’ve have made the decision I feel as if a little bit of weight has been lifted off my shoulders, because whether to keep playing or not has never left my mind for the last year.”
A fantastic team player, David credits much of the men’s team success in Glasgow to the fact that Darren Burnett, Paul Foster, Alex Marshall, Neil Speirs and himself were such a close knit bunch both on and off the greens, a factor that made the decision to retire all the harder.
“What I will miss most is being involved with the guys,” said Peacock. “We have all had amazing experiences together, had plenty of laughs and jokes, and getting on so well as a unit was a big part of our success.
“The banter is a big part, and a big benefit, of bowls in Scotland and I will miss the camaraderie greatly.”
While today brings to an end a dazzling championship career which included becoming the first man to win three consecutive world titles in any Lawn Bowls discipline with Triples victories in 2004, 2008 and 2012, the Danderhall Bowling Club member still wants to compete for Scotland in the Home Internationals.
“Looking back on my career I feel pretty proud to win four World Championship Gold medals and a Commonwealth Gold,” he said.
“And I feel honoured to have played with and against the very best players in the world.
“Thank you to my family for the support they have given me during the 20 or so years I have played at the top level, the sportscotland institute of sport and the management and coaches from the elite squad.
“I’ve also been lucky to be supported by my work, McGregor Signs in Dalkeith, over the last 28 years.
“But most of all thanks to the players who have helped me in many different ways with my success over the years.
“I started with Willie Wood in 2004 winning the world Triples and I ended up with Alex Marshall, Paul Foster and the rest of the boys in Glasgow. It was a good way to finish.”
Photo Credit: Jeff Holmes
Members of Team Scotland past and present gathered at the University of Stirling to welcome the arrival of a unique collection of sporting history.
Everything from a dancing teacake to a previously missing mascot are encapsulated in a touring Commonwealth Games exhibition which fittingly opened at the University’s MacRobert Arts Centre on the one-year anniversary of the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Hosts and Champions: Scotland in the Commonwealth Games is packed with photographs, clothes and assorted artefacts charting more than 80 years of Scotland’s participation and achievement in the Commonwealth Games.
Richard Haynes, Professor of Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling and academic curator of the exhibition, said: “The Hosts and Champions exhibition has been a real hit in the towns and cities it has visited so far and I’m sure that will be the same at such a proud sporting hub as the University of Stirling, where it will be on display until Friday 11 September.
“The exhibition includes lots of recent memorabilia from Glasgow 2014 and it continues to grow as many people have come along and donated items they have from past games, including a previously unknown mascot from the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1970.”
Twenty-four Stirling students and alumni competed at Glasgow 2014, including medal-winning swimmers Ross Murdoch, Cameron Brodie and Jak Scott.
The sporting campus, designated as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, is home to the National Swimming Academy and triathlonscotland’s performance centre as well as providing the administrative hub for Commonwealth Games Scotland.
Jon Doig, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive, said: “Team Scotland’s achievements at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games caught the imagination of the nation and we are delighted this exhibition from our archive gives people the length and breadth of the country the opportunity to share in these memories and find out more about what makes the Commonwealth Games so special.”
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “With no fewer than 24 University of Stirling students, past and present, competing at Glasgow 2014, this seems a perfect venue for this exhibition. It’s hard to believe that it’s a year since that unforgettable fortnight when Scotland welcomed the world. This exhibition tells the fascinating story of Scotland’s involvement in the Commonwealth Games and is highly recommended.”
The free exhibition, developed with the support of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Legacy 2014, is curated by the University of Stirling Archives. It is on display in the MacRobert Arts Centre daily from 9am to 7pm now until Friday 11 September.
Find out more at: http://stir.ac.uk/k2 or look out for updates on Twitter @Team_Scotland or using #HostsandChampions.
This time last year, Team Scotland was basking in a Scottish heat wave in the Commonwealth Games Village in Glasgow’s East End, as they made their final preparations for what was to be their most successful Games ever, winning a total of 53 medals including an impressive 19 gold.
One year on, Commonwealth Games Scotland’s new Chairman, Paul Bush OBE reflects on the highlights of the Games and how they have impacted on Scottish sport and what is next for the organisation which played a key role at the heart of Glasgow 2014 for more than 12 years.
Speaking ahead of a visit to Durban, South Africa to inspect plans for the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, Paul said:
“It was always our ambition to ensure that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games were athlete centred and sport focused, whilst using the Games as an opportunity for economic regeneration and to showcase the best of Scotland on the international stage. It has been incredible to see how the ‘best Games ever’ and Team Scotland’s best performance ever, winning 53 medals, has continued to make a huge impact across Scottish sport over the last 12 months.
“Our athletes are now widely recognised by the public, who are all still waxing lyrical about their own Games experiences and the profile of Commonwealth Games sports has never been higher. Scottish athletes are continuing to be successful on the international stage and this is undoubtedly inspiring more young people to get involved in sport.”
Since the Games, Team Scotland athletes have benefitted from the Commonwealth Games Scotland medallists reward scheme to the tune of £380,000, allocated to recognise and support the 63 medal-winning athletes once they retire from their high performance sport career. A number of athletes retiring post Glasgow have already drawn down this funding, which was £10,000 for gold, £5,000 for silver and £2,500 for bronze.
Commonwealth Games Scotland has also been working closely with the University of Stirling, who host their archive, and is delighted that the touring exhibition has proved so popular with the public as it has travelled around the country. ‘Hosts and Champions: Scotland in the Commonwealth Games’ is packed with photographs, clothes and assorted artefacts charting more than 80 years of Scotland’s participation and achievement in the Commonwealth Games.
Fittingly, it opens at the University’s MacRobert Arts Centre on 23 July celebrating the one-year anniversary of the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Team Scotland Twitter feed has also become established as an extensive and reliable source of information on Scottish Commonwealth sports and athletes, growing to an incredible 63,000 followers the most of any Commonwealth Games Association, whilst the goscotland.org supporters’ website is undergoing a re-fresh in preparation for the September Youth Games.
Looking to the future, Bush added: “As an organisation, Commonwealth Games Scotland is now focused on the next Games cycle leading up to the Gold Coast in 2018. We are currently making final preparations for our Youth Team of 29 athletes, who will travel to Samoa in September for the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games, where I am confident that our stars of the future will get their first multi-sport Games experience and follow in the footsteps of Glasgow 2014 heroes like Hannah Miley, Lynsey Sharp and Charlie Flynn to name but a few.
“The Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in Auckland, immediately prior to Samoa, will first receive a final report on Glasgow 2014, before making vital decisions about the future of the Games, both in terms of future host venues and the shape of the sports programme and athlete quotas. Decisions made will have a real impact on our sports governing bodies back here in Scotland.
“It is vital that we continue to play a leading role in the implementation of the CGF’s new strategic plan, to ensure that future generations of athletes have the best possible opportunity to represent Scotland on the international stage and that the Commonwealth Games plays a key role in the performance pathway.”
Two months to the day they will fly out to Samoa for the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games, athletes gathered in Stirling for the announcement of the full team selected to represent Youth Team Scotland in September.
Of the 27 athletes named by Commonwealth Games Scotland today, seven are new additions as Athletics and Tennis announce their squads for the first time. They join the 20 athletes previously selected across Archery, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Squash, Swimming and Weightlifting. The athletes, aged between 14 and 18 years, will compete for Scotland in eight of the nine sports on the programme, with several entering multiple events.
The concept of the Youth Games was designed by Scotland in 2000 with the aim of developing young athletes and giving them an early experience of an international multi-sport environment. The event has a proven track record, with 66 athletes having progressed to the Commonwealth Games (35 competing at Glasgow 2014) and winning 32 winning medals over the last four Commonwealth Games, including gold medallists Charlie Flynn, Josh Taylor and Hannah Miley.
Athletics name a strong line-up of six athletes, all ranked within the top ten in the Commonwealth in this age group. Record breakers Ben Greenwood and Alisha Rees lead the way with 800m runner Ben breaking the Scottish U17 record on his senior debut for Scotland at the Loughborough International in May, having taken over a second off the British indoor record in March.
Alisha stormed to a personal best of 11.76 to break a Scottish Schools 100m record which had stood for 45 years. She returned from the recent England Athletics U20 Championships – effectively the British Championships for this age group – with a bronze medal over 200m, competing against athletes up to three years older than herself. Cameron Tindle in the 200m and 800m specialist Carys McAulay also took bronze at these Championships while Inverness thrower George Evans, who has improved his shot by over a metre and his discus by over 6 metres this year, took gold in both disciplines in specially held U18 events.
Long jumper Rachel Alexander has made big strides in her quest for Youth Games selection, the 17 year old improving her best to 6.10m this summer to sit third on the Scottish Senior rankings.
Tennis will be represented in Samoa by 17 year old Ewan Moore from Fenwick in Ayrshire who represented Scotland at the World Schools Championship Finals in Doha, with his Merchiston Castle School team finishing in 6th place. He also took the runner up spot at the Grade 1 Czech International Championship earlier this year. He will play in the Singles event and then team up for the Mixed Doubles, with a female player yet to be named.
Of the sports previously selected, Lawn Bowls athletes Carla Banks and Darren Weir have waited longest to meet their final team mates since they were selected on Commonwealth Day on the 9th March.
Boxing send a talented squad including British Champion Sean Lazzerini and European Junior Champion William Hutchison while the weightlifting team includes Youth Team Scotland’s youngest team member for Samoa – 14 year old Rowan Morrogh Bernard – who holds an incredible 16 Scottish records at youth and junior level.
Struan Caughey, recently returned from the World Youth Championships, and Evelina D’Arcy become the first archers ever to represent Scotland at a Youth Games with Archery included in the Games for the first time. Squash is represented by 17 year olds Carrie Hallam and Richard Hollins, the first Scottish player to win the Scottish Junior Open since multiple Commonwealth medallist Peter Nicol took the title in 1988.
Swimming sends six athletes including Tain Bruce who erased Hannah Miley’s Age Group 200m Individual Medley record at last summer’s Scottish Championships and Carnegie club mate Craig McLean who has a phenomenal 48 Scottish and seven British records to his name.
Congratulating all the athletes, Commonwealth Games Chairman, Paul Bush OBE said: “Congratulations to all 27 athletes on their selection for Youth Team Scotland and in particular to the seven new additions in Athletics and Tennis. It is a fantastic achievement to be selected for this important event and a great opportunity for them to gain a real understanding of what the Commonwealth Games is all about from both a sporting and cultural perspective.
“The Commonwealth Youth Games is increasingly playing a key role in the development of our young athletes and ensuring that when they progress to the full Commonwealth Games they are able to deliver their best possible performance at their first Games, in many cases going on to win medals for Scotland.
“I would like to wish them all the very best for their final preparations for Samoa and I look forward to cheering them on as they make their Commonwealth debut.”
FULL TEAM LIST
Struan Caughey, 16, Elgin – Archery
Evelina D’Arcy, 15, Athens, Greece
George Evans, 17, Inverness – Athletics
Alisha Rees, 16, Banchory – Athletics
Ben Greenwood, 16, Perth – Athletics
Rachel Alexander, 17, Glasgow – Athletics
Cameron Tindle, 17, Berwick – Athletics
Carys McCaulay, 17, Warrington, England – Athletics
Billy Stuart, 17, Aberdeen – Boxing
Sean Lazzerini, 17, Glasgow – Boxing
William Hutchison, 16, Lanark – Boxing
Kieran McMaster, 18, Kilmarnock – Boxing
Carla Banks, 16, Inverurie – Lawn Bowls
Darren Weir, 16, Prestwick – Lawn Bowls
Richard Hollins, 17, Aberdeen – Squash
Carrie Hallam, 17, Edinburgh – Squash
Kieran Preston, 18, Aberdeen – Swimming
Benedict Tortolano, 17, Stirling – Swimming
Meg Finnon, 17, East Kilbride – Swimming
Erin Robertson, 16, Ayr – Swimming
Tain Bruce, 17, Dalgety Bay – Swimming
Craig McLean, 16, Livingston – Swimming
Ewan Moore, 17, Fenwick, Ayrshire – Tennis
Rowan Morrogh Bernard, 14, Pitlochry – Weightlifting
Jason Epton, 14, Glasgow – Weightlifting
Daniel Richardson, 15, Glasgow – Weightlifting
Biatrice Gabell, 17, Dalry, Ayrshire – Weightlifting
Photo Credit: Jeff Holmes
Scotland’s double Commonwealth Games Gold medallist, Caitlin McClatchey, has announced her retirement from competitive swimming with immediate effect.
Looking back on a career that has included appearances for Team Scotland at the Melbourne 2006, Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and for Team GB at three Olympics, she said:
“I have some amazing memories and I am very proud of my achievements in the sport. My career highlight was when I became double Commonwealth Champion and won Scotland’s first gold medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. To compete in finals at all three Olympic Games, and to win multiple World championship medals has been a dream come true.
“The last few years have been particularly special competing in both a home Olympics and home Commonwealth Games.”
Caitlin is currently studying at Edinburgh University as she prepares for life out of the water, looking combine her studies with a wealth of personal experience to help the next generation.
“I am very excited to be starting a new chapter and taking on new challenges,” she said.
“Once I have finished my Masters degree in Performance Psychology I want to be involved in sport and help others to perform at the highest level. I am looking forward to supporting the next generation of British swimmers and watching them achieve incredible things at the Rio Olympics next year.”
Caitlin attributes her career to the support of a number of people who have helped her along the way.
“I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in my career, including my current coach, Chris Jones, my University of Edinburgh and Scottish Swimming team-mates, without whose help and support I would not be where I am today,” she said.
“Thank you to UK Sport, Scottish Swimming, Red Sky and all of my sponsors. I have also made some great friends and met some wonderful people along the way, especially my former coach Ian Armiger.
“The biggest thank you is to my friends and family, especially my late father Professor John McClatchey, who was my greatest supporter and always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. I will miss him very much.”
Ally Whike, Performance Director at Scottish Swimming said,
“Caitlin has been a fantastic ambassador for Scottish Swimming for over 10 years and one of Scotland’s finest ever female athletes.
“She is a great role model for other young, aspiring athletes with an impressive career record, including three consecutive Olympic Games and three consecutive Commonwealth Games. Melbourne (2006 Commonwealth Games) was a real standout moment for her and epitomizes her as an athlete, standing up and performing on the big occasions when it really counts. To bring home Scotland’s first gold medal and in doing so beating the home favourite was a great moment to witness.
“We look forward to working with Caitlin in the future and for her to share her knowledge and experience with our upcoming swimmers and we wish her all the very best as she starts on the next exciting chapter in her life.”
Jon Doig, Chief Executive at Commonwealth Games Scotland said:
“We wish Caitlin all the best on her retirement. She was an inspirational figure for Team Scotland athletes in her three Games, successful in her own right and a great team player. No one will forget the first night in Melbourne in 2006 when she stunned the Aussies in their own pool to help put Scotland top of the medal table on day one. Caitlin showed that when belief is combined with hard work and dedication anything is possible”
Two time Commonwealth Triathlon representative Catriona Morrison and Team Scotland Assistant Team Manager at Glasgow 2014 Gina Logan are amongst those recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2015.
Catriona is awarded an MBE for services to sport and voluntary service following retirement in January from a glittering career that saw her become a four time Duathlon World Champion and represent Scotland at both the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. Gold at the 2006 World Duathlon Championships was followed by victory at both the 2007 and 2008 Long Distance World Championships before fittingly winning her final World title in front of a home crowd in Edinburgh in 2010.
Alongside her own career Catriona has dedicated herself to inspiring others with the launch of the ‘Go For It Scotland’ Bursary Scheme in the run up to Glasgow 2014 and her role with the Winning Scotland Foundation as Programme Manager for Champions in Schools.
Gina is awarded an MBE for services to sport in Scotland in recognition of years of dedication across a variety of roles. Past President of Scottish Swimming and the first Vice President of the Scottish Hockey Union, Gina has been involved with Team Scotland across three Commonwealth Games; as Assistant Team Manager at both Glasgow 2014 and Delhi 2010 and as Aquatics Team Manager at Melbourne 2006.
Commonwealth Games Scotland also send their congratulations to Brian Davies, Chef De Mission for Team Wales at Glasgow 2014, awarded an OBE, and to UK Sport Chief Executive Liz Nicholl on the award of a CBE.
Last night at the Annual General Meeting, Paul Bush OBE, was appointed as the new Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS). Paul, who leads Scotland’s major events strategy with VisitScotland and EventScotland, takes over from Michael Cavanagh, who completed his tenure, following an eight year stint, leading the organisation in the build up to Team Scotland’s most successful ever Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2014.
Paul, who has been on the CGS Board for the last four years as an independent non-executive Director and was Team Scotland Chef de Mission in 2006, will now lead the strategic direction of the organisation.
Delighted to have been appointed by the member sports, Paul Bush said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to have been appointed as Chairman of CGS. I am passionate about Scotland and Scottish sport and I look forward to working closely with the professional staff and Board to build on the momentum of Glasgow 2014, further enhancing the strategic, financial and commercial position of CGS.
“I am committed to effective partnership working and look forward to working closely with the member sports, to ensure they and their athletes are best placed to enjoy continued success at future Commonwealth Games.
“Scotland has a strong reputation in the Commonwealth Games movement and I look forward to representing CGS at international level, to ensure we retain and extend our sphere of influence on the world stage.”
Paul will be supported in his new role by newly elected Vice Chair, Maureen Campbell. Maureen has been Chair of Scottish Swimming since 2006 and is Chief Executive of Falkirk Community Trust. She is also former swimmer, representing Scotland at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
Two new Board Directors were also voted in by the 24 member sports in attendance.
Alasdair MacLennan, President of Scottish Cycling and cycling team manager for Team Scotland at the last four Commonwealth Games has been appointed for a four year term. With more than 40 years in the sport as an athlete, coach and administrator he is looking forward to adding value to the CGS Board.
Susan Jackson, 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in shooting and former CGS Athletes’ Representative, was also successful in gaining selection. In her professional life, Susan is a Chartered Accountant and runs her family business. Previously she worked in the corporate finance team at Deloittes for 12 years before joining the Winning Scotland Foundation as a senior director.
Outgoing Chairman, Michael Cavanagh was thanked by the sports in attendance for the outstanding job done and in response he said: “It has been a privilege, not just to serve as CGS Chairman, but to have had the good fortune to lead this great sporting family at such an exciting and successful time in our history.
“CGS has come a very long way over the last eight years and it has been fantastic to see the extensive interest and competition for the Board positions to support the organisation going forwards. I would like to wish Paul, Maureen, Susan, Alasdair and the other Board members all the very best for the future.”
With just 100 days to go until the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games get underway in Samoa, Youth Team Scotland has been boosted by 12 additional team members
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) today named athletes in Archery, Boxing, Squash and Weightlifting, bringing the number of athletes selected onto Youth Team Scotland so far to 20.
Struan Caughey and Evelina D’Arcy become the first archers ever to represent Scotland at a Youth Games and will compete in Individual Recurve events and the Mixed Team competition. Samoa 2015 will be the fifth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games and the first time Archery has been included. The sport has been contested twice in the full Commonwealth Games – Brisbane 1982 and Delhi 2010.
Born in Elgin, Struan has gone from strength to strength ever since a ‘come and try’ event at Chatsworth Fair led to him joining an after school beginners course. The 16 year old has won the British Championships, is ranked number one in Scotland and is becoming a consistent member of the GB Junior team.15 year old Evelina has been British Junior champion on three occasions and a member of every Scottish Junior team since 2012. Excited at her selection for Samoa she says she, “will do whatever it takes to hear our national anthem sound out over the whole South Pacific.”
Claudine Jennings, Performance Director at Scottish Archery said, “Scottish Archery is delighted that these two dedicated and talented young archers are going to shoot for their country in Samoa, This a great opportunity for them and hopefully will inspire other young archers. Not since 2010 have Scottish archers been able to represent their country at Commonwealth level and we are thrilled to be part of the Youth Games.”
Squash will be represented by two of Scotland’s brightest teenage talents. Aberdeen’s Richard Hollins, three time National Age Group champion, rates his victory at the Scottish Junior Open as his proudest moment. In winning the under 17 event he became the first Scottish player to do so since his sporting hero, multiple Commonwealth medallist Peter Nicol, took the title in 1988.
For Edinburgh 17-year-old Carrie Hallam, the inspiration comes from even closer to home in the form of coach, Stuart Crawford. Having watched her mentor compete for Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014, Carrie will now go from spectator to competitor for her own first taste of Commonwealth competition. A past winner at both the Irish and Italian Open, she is no stranger to international competition and will benefit from Stuart’s experience in Samoa as he travels as Team Leader for the sport.
“It means a massive amount to me,” said Carrie. “For squash players, experiencing multi-sport Games is a unique and infrequent opportunity. The Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle of my sport, so Samoa will act as a stepping stone to prepare and inspire me to play for my country as a senior athlete, which is my ultimate goal.”
Four weightlifters are named, including Pitlochry 14-year-old Rowan Morrogh Bernard, who is celebrating a double selection as she is set to compete for Great Britain at the European Youth Championships in August before heading to Samoa with Youth Team Scotland. She currently holds an incredible 16 Scottish records across youth and junior age groups, holds British youth and schools titles and has won Scottish titles right up to senior level.
“To compete for Scotland in Samoa at the Commonwealth Youth Games, after the time I had in Glasgow on the Achieve Programme, will be such a fantastic experience, said Rowan. “I’m so grateful to my coaches and everyone in Pitlochry Amateur Weightlifting Club for all the support they’ve given me, I just can’t wait to make them proud, it’s all about training even harder now.”
Ayrshire College student Biatrice Gabell, who competes for Kilmarnock WLC, is also a multiple Scottish record holder, all achieved since a broken ankle, with weightlifting as part of her recovery, led to a switch from badminton in 2013. Glasgow’s Jason Epton, who competes for the Gladiator Club based in Easterhouse, set a British U14 record at the Celtic Championships in November to add to his growing collection of Scottish age group records and multiple Scottish and British titles.
Jason’s Gladiator club-mate Daniel Richardson was just four months old when the inaugural Youth Games came to Edinburgh in 2000 and, while he might not remember the experience, toured the Athletes’ Village with Dad, Alex, who was weightlifting team manager for the Games.15 years on he will return to the Games as a competitor and with every 69kg category Scottish U14 and U15 record in the book to his name, will be looking to make this Games one he won’t forget.
Team Scotland boxers have a proud history at the Commonwealth Games and the Youth Games have been no exception, with a return of 12 medals from the 17 boxers who have represented Scotland at this level. The four-strong squad named today will aspire to follow in the footsteps of Josh Taylor and Charlie Flynn who both won Youth Games medals before taking gold at Glasgow 2014.
16-year-old Willie Hutchison from Lanark, who boxes for the Springhill club, will represent Youth Team Scotland in the 75kg event after he became the first Scot to win European Junior gold in November last year. He has not rested on his laurels either, surpassing all expectations to take silver at the prestigious Nikolay Pavlyukov tournament in Russia against boxers up to two years his senior.
Joining Willie in the Boxing squad are Bellahouston’s Sean Lazzerini, the current British Youth Champion, who goes in the 81kg category and British Youth silver medallists Billy Stuart of Aberdeen and Kilmarnock’s Kieran McMaster who compete in the 56kg and 64kg events respectively. All four are in fantastic form, each winning gold at the Lah Nimani Tournament in Kosovo at the weekend.
Elinor Middlemiss, General Team Manager said: “With just 100 days until Youth Team Scotland march out at the Opening Ceremony of Samoa 2015, the Games are becoming very real for all involved. The Youth Games are an exciting first step into Commonwealth competition and provide the ideal platform for young athletes to develop and gain competition experience for future events. I would like to congratulate all the athletes on their selection for Youth Team Scotland and wish them every success in Samoa.”
The final sports and full team will be announced on Tuesday 30 June 2015.
SELECTED ATHLETES
Archery (2)
Struan Caughey, 16yrs, Elgin
Evelina D’Arcy, 15yrs, Athens, Greece
Boxing (4)
Sean Lazzerini, 17yrs, Glasgow
William Hutchison, 16yrs, Lanark
Kieran McMaster, 18yrs, Kilmarnock
Billy Stuart, 17yrs, Aberdeen
Squash (2)
Carrie Hallam, 17yrs, Edinburgh
Richard Hollins, 17yrs, Aberdeen
Weightlifting (4)
Biatrice Gabell, 17yrs, Dalry, Ayrshire
Jason Epton, 14yrs, Glasgow
Daniel Richardson, 15yrs, Glasgow
Rowan Morrogh Bernard, 14yrs, Pitlochry