With just over a fortnight to go until the start of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, one of Team Scotland’s leading bowlers, Paul Foster, has suffered a significant blow to his final preparations after three of his competition bowls were stolen.
The bowls, which the multiple World Champion has been playing and practising with exclusively since the spring, were taken from the locker room of his local outdoor club, Troon Portland, yesterday (Monday 7 July) afternoon.
Curiously just three of his set of four bowls were stolen. The remaining one was removed from his trolley bag and left behind in the club locker room.
“Taking three bowls is no use to them, and having one is obviously no use to me,” said 41-year-old Foster, a Gold medallist in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
The set of bowls is a limited edition but they have far more than just sentimental value to Foster. No two sets of bowls are identical and he has amassed countless hours of play and practice time with this set in preparation for using them at the Glasgow Games.
“These bowls were specially shipped over in April for me to use at the Commonwealth Games and I’ve been practicing with them for the last three months, day-in day-out, to get completely used to them and ready for Glasgow,” he continued.
“I’m now trying to get another set of the same make and model but even if I do, I know that you won’t ever get two sets of bowls that are a hundred percent the same.”
A highly popular player, Foster, who was awarded an MBE earlier this year, is at a complete loss as to who would want to steal his bowls.
“This is obviously devastating to me and I spent the whole of last night thinking about who it could be, but I’ve got no idea,” he admitted.
“But with the Commonwealth Games starting in a fortnight’s time I need to try and get over it in the next few days and get focused again. But it’s easier said than done.
“I just want to get the bowls back. Even if someone just comes along and just leaves the bowls at the club without anybody knowing I wouldn’t take it any further because I would just be so pleased to get them back.”
Anyone with any information that might lead to the recovery of the missing bowls is encouraged to contact the police who are currently investigating the theft.
Photo credit: Alisdair Devine
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The Team Scotland parade uniform for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony was unveiled in Stirling today, to a positive reception from more than 400 athletes and officials gathered for their final Team Camp.
Designed by internationally known textile designer and artist Jilli Blackwood, the parade uniform injects a contemporary twist to the traditional tartan outfits of past Games.
The uniform combines a caramel-coloured hue to the tartan with a vibrant blue shirt for the men and a flowing wrap-around dress for the women, giving a nod to the blue of the saltire.
“My brief from Team Scotland was to come up with a parade uniform that was high on impact and made a real statement, but also had a contemporary feel. There will be no mistaking that this is the Scottish Team as they proudly step out at the Opening Ceremony,” said Blackwood.
The subtle flag-inspired theme continues with a ripple-like pattern through the shirt and dress to create the impression of movement within the fabric. This was achieved by hand-embroidering the pattern onto fabric before the finished design was turned into a unique print effect on cotton at the Centre for Advance Textiles at Glasgow School of Art.
The distinctive Team Scotland tartan, with its turquoise, fuchsia and navy blue set on a burnt caramel background, was created by Blackwood and produced by House of Edgar at the Isle Mill in Keith, Aberdeenshire.
A shawl-like wrap, catchily named by Blackwood as the ‘Jimono’ and a stone-coloured leather bag complete the women’s uniform, the latter worn diagonally across the front like one half of the St Andrew’s Cross.
Athletes were kitted out with their parade uniform alongside their ASICS leisure clothing and competition wear at the Team Camp today.
Cyclist Charline Joiner, who helped model the new uniform said: “It’s refreshing and a definite surprise! I was expecting a kilt, but love the fact the girls are in dresses this time as it’s more feminine and it’s still got the blue of Scotland in it.
“I love the fact its different and also love the fact it’s got a little bag because the boys have always had a sporran, but we’ve never had anywhere to put our phones and other items.”
Squash player Frania Gillen-Buchert who led the uniform athlete consultation process added: “I love the tartan and I think we’ll look great …and we’ll definitely be seen as we march last into Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony as the home team.”
The men were equally enthusiastic. Rugby 7s player Lee Jones described it as ‘very comfortable and eye catching’ whilst team-mate Scott Wight, added: “I’m now really looking forward to wearing it at the Opening Ceremony.”
Blackwood, a native of Glasgow and graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, was commissioned by Commonwealth Games Scotland to design the Team Scotland parade uniforms following the buzz generated around her designs for the cast involved in the Glasgow section of the Delhi 2010 Closing Ceremony.
Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive and Team Scotland Chef de Mission Jon Doig said: “We wanted a parade uniform that had a bold and confident look, but which still retained the iconic Scottish elements of the kilt and unique Games tartan.
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Sports equipment used by athletes and props from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be among thousands of Commonwealth Games mementoes auctioned online.
While much of the equipment used during the games is being used for legacy projects around Scotland, a proportion will be available for people to buy on the Glasgow 2014 official auction website.
Sports fans will have an opportunity to own a piece of Commonwealth Games history with bids invited for everything from rugby balls and badminton nets to boxing gloves and pieces of the athletics track.
Photos of athletes, some signed, and parts of the medal podiums and medal trays will also be put up for auction together with costumes from the ceremonies at Celtic Park on July 23 and Hampden on August 3.
The most collectable items are expected to fetch thousands of pounds with money raised going towards the cost of staging Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival.
The website will launch later in July with some early souvenirs, such as photographs of athletes, available soon after. People will first have to register on the site before they can bid for any items.
People can sign up to receive updates on the official Glasgow 2014 auction websiteand to enter a competition to win one of four framed commemorative photos of the Opening Ceremony by visiting http://g2014.is/auctioncomp
Many other Games events have held auctions selling memorabilia. London 2012 held an online auction selling Olympics souvenirs as did Vancouver at the 2010 Winter Olympics and Sochi at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Stuart Hogg has been named in the Scotland 7s squad to compete at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July).
Scottish Rugby and Commonwealth Games Scotland can confirm Scotland’s 24 times capped full-back and British & Irish Lion will replace the injured Tommy Seymour.
Scotland 7s head coach, Stephen Gemmell, said: “It is disappointing to lose Tommy to injury however I’m delighted to be able to bring in a player of Stuart Hogg’s calibre into our Commonwealth Games Squad and would like to thank Team Scotland, Scottish Rugby and Glasgow Warriors in helping make this selection happen.”
Hogg, who plays his club rugby with Glasgow Warriors, won his four most recent Scotland caps, in each game, of the recently concluded summer tour to America, Canada, Argentina and South Africa. He scored two of his six international tries against USA and Argentina in June.
Though he has not won any caps with the abbreviated national team, the short game is a code he is familiar with having grown up in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, where he played on the Kings of the Sevens circuit.
Also, in his professional career, in XVs, he has shown skills that are suited to the short game.
Gemmell continued: “Stuart is somebody who has shown at every level of his XVs career what he is capable of. He is a player who excites fans and he has shown time and time again he can contribute significantly in both attack and defence.
“Though he has not yet played international sevens he comes from a background in the Borders that has been heavily influenced by the abbreviated game. His game understanding along with the skills he has developed as a professional will I am sure prove a strong addition to our existing playing group.
“I’m excited about him joining the squad and contributing to a successful performance at Ibrox.”
Scotland 7s will compete in Sevens and the City at Allianz Park in Hendon, North London on Saturday 12 July. This will be their last competitive tournament before they take to the field at Ibrox Stadium at the Commonwealth Games.
The Team Scotland Rugby Sevens Team for Glasgow 2014
Scotland 7s squad to compete as part of Team Scotland, during Glasgow 2014, on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July at Ibrox Stadium: Richie Vernon, James Eddie (both Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone (Scotland 7s), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Riddell, Colin Shaw (both Scotland 7s), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor, Scott Wight (both Scotland 7s), Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont and Stuart Hogg (all Glasgow Warriors).
You can follow Stuart on Twitter: @StuartWHOGG_15
Photo credit: Scottish Rugby
Furniture used by some of the world’s top athletes during the Commonwealth Games will be distributed to vulnerable families in Glasgow to help them furnish their homes.
Wardrobes, beds and sofas from the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village in Dalmarnock are to be offered to people in need after the Games conclude in August.
Glasgow 2014 and RGS Ltd, the Official Furniture Provider for the Games, will hand over the furniture to Glasgow Housing Association, Scotland’s biggest social landlord.
GHA, part of Wheatley Group, is working with its partners on how the 36,000 items of furniture will then be collected, restored and delivered to families, groups, housing associations and charities across the city.
With the Games less than a month away, the plans for the sustainable reuse of the Athletes’ Village furniture is another example of the Games creating a lasting legacy for the city.
Among the items which will be available are wardrobes, beds, mattresses, sofas, bean bags, clothes racks and lamps.
Much of the equipment was previously used at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and was relocated for use in Glasgow alongside newly manufactured items such as folding chairs and tables.
Twelve new training opportunities on GHA’s Community Janitor scheme will also be created by this project to move and refurbish furniture items.
Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg, said:
“It’s fantastic that the furniture used by the athletes and officials during the Games this summer is going to be distributed to families in need in Glasgow. Sustainability is very high on Glasgow 2014’s agenda and this is a tangible benefit from the Games to the great people of this city, following the excitement of the sporting events themselves.”
Wheatley Group Director of Housing and Care, Olga Clayton, said:
“We’re delighted to support the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow and to do our bit to provide a lasting legacy for the people of this city.
“We know many people are finding it difficult financially in these tough times. This project will make a big difference to thousands of adults, families and groups who need help to make their house a home.”
RGS Project Director Paul Ramler said:
“RGS are thrilled to be able to participate in a great legacy outcome for the City of Glasgow. As proud sponsors of the Commonwealth Games, we have worked with G2014 and GHA to ensure that our furniture remains in Glasgow and goes to those who need it the most.”
Around 9,000 brightly coloured posters have been produced by school children across Scotland to hang in the bedrooms at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes Village.
Young people across the country took part in a competition to create a unique collection of artwork to adorn the athletes’ bedrooms.
Each artist has included their contact details on the front of each poster and the hope is that the athletes will send a quick email to thank them for their work. They may even take a snap of themselves beside the poster and then take it back home with them as a souvenir of Glasgow 2014.
The project was part of Game On Scotland and was launched last year to encourage young people to engage with the Games. The theme for the posters was around the 17 sports.
Game On Scotland is the education programme of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It has been designed by Glasgow 2014 in collaboration with Education Scotland, the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council, enabling schools and educators to use the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as an inspiring, motivating, relevant and fun context for learning across the curriculum and for all ages. Schools across Scotland have made great use of the site, with well over 250,000 learners engaged through the programme.
In addition to the Game On Scotland project, approximately 400 pieces of additional artwork have been provided by the uniformed organisations including Girl Guiding Scotland, The Boys Brigade and Scouts Scotland.
Using the “Support A Second Team” programme, young people aged between five and 25, created artwork for their second teams that will be displayed within the offices of the Commonwealth Games Associations at the Village.
Athletes and team officials will be encouraged to take the pieces home with them after the Games.
Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg, said:
“Young people are front and centre of our Games and to have this unique collection of artwork hanging on the walls throughout the Athletes’ Village as a message of welcome is a fantastic reminder of that. I am sure the athletes and officials will be delighted to have a visual reminder of sport, seen through the eyes of children, surrounding them. This bit of detail will make the Village a real home from home and provide its residents with a great souvenir from their Glasgow 2014 experience.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman Michael Cavanagh said:
“This project has been a fantastic way of engaging with young people from all over the country and I am sure the athletes will be absolutely delighted to find such a lovely welcome for them in their rooms and around the Village. Many congratulations to all the young people who put so much time and effort into making these posters.”
Glasgow School of Sport at Bellahouston Academy has announced its largest ever representation for Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Eight women and four men will represent the host nation in badminton, gymnastics, hockey, swimming and triathlon.
Returning competitors, including swimmer Michael Jamieson, badminton player Kirsty Gilmour, gymnast Amy Regan and hockey players Kenny Bain, Amy Gibson and William Marshall will be aiming for further commonwealth success.
While Gymnasts Cara Kennedy and Carly Smith, badminton players Caitlin Pringle and Rebekka Findlay, triathlete David McNamee and hockey player Susan McGilveray are all making their Commonwealth Games debut.
This is the largest and strongest representation from Glasgow School of Sport and the school is very proud of its pupils.
Angela Porter, Director of Glasgow School of Sport, said: “We’re delighted to have played a part in the journey of these twelve young people to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“They have worked tirelessly to achieve their success. All are committed and determined to make Scotland proud. I am thrilled for them.”
Ian Anderson, Head Teacher at Glasgow School of Sport, said: “Their selection is a tribute to not only the athletes themselves but to the coaches and staff at the Glasgow School of Sport and Bellahouston Academy.”
Leading achievements of graduates include Michael Jamieson Olympic and Commonwealth silver medalist, Kirsty Gilmour the No.1 British Women’s Singles player ranked 18th in the world, hockey players William Marshall with over 100 caps for his country and prolific goal scorer Kenny Bain.
Gymnasts Cara Kennedy and Carly Smith are in their final year at school and faced the challenges of competing with each other for a place in the team.
Gymnast Cara Kennedy, said: “Thankfully, we’ve both been selected. It’s been tough but the School of Sport has supported us well. I’ve been able to balance my school-work with all the extra training and preparation. The School of Sport coach, Sandra Walsh, has been with us every step of the way, and that’s a huge help.”
Archie Graham, Chair of Glasgow Life and Executive Committee Member for the Commonwealth Games, said “This National Centre of Excellence has helped develop and nurture some of Scotland’s top young athletes and sports stars, such as Michael Jamieson.
“We wish all 12 athletes every success at the Games. They will be an inspiration to the next generation of young sporting stars as they have shown that with a lot of hard work and determination you can achieve your sporting aspirations.”
Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission, Jon Doig, congratulated the 12 pupils and graduates, saying: “The school of sport has been supporting young talented athletes since 1999 and the record number representing Team Scotland in the XX Commonwealth Games really shows the value of these types of programmes.
“A significant number of the Glasgow School of Sport pupils have competed at Commonwealth Youth level. Seven of the school’s athletes debuted in the full Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010 and the experience they have gained since then bodes well for Glasgow 2014. They will be joined by a further six athletes from the school making their debut on home soil.”