Scotland will field a team in the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the first time since 1998. The three women gymnasts were announced by Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) today, along with three further squash players to represent Team Scotland this summer.
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a visually stunning sport in which competitors require flexibility, technical skill and grace as they perform routines to music using different pieces of apparatus.
First introduced to the Commonwealth Games programme in 1990, Glasgow 2014 includes a Team competition with each gymnast performing up to four routines using different apparatus. It also acts as the qualifier for the individual events with the top 16 going through to the Individual All-Around competition, and the top eight in each piece of apparatus progressing to the Individual Apparatus finals in Ball, Clubs, Hoop and Ribbon.
CGS, in conjunction with Scottish Gymnastics, confirmed the selection of rhythmic gymnasts Rebecca Bee, Lauren Brash and Victoria Clow who will represent Scotland in the Team Event and look to compete for honours in five further medal events at the SSE Hydro from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 July, 2014.
Rebecca Bee lives, trains and studies in Aberdeen. The 19-year-old was crowned 2014 Scottish Senior All-Around Champion, scoring highest for ribbon, but also setting the selection standard in the ball, clubs and hoop. She started in artistic gymnastics, but turned her focus to rhythmic gymnastics aged seven and has been competing in the sport ever since.
At just 15, Lauren Brash is the youngest member of the trio and Team Scotland’s youngest team member so far. A pupil at Deans Community High School in Livingston, she competed for Team GB at the European Junior Championships in 2012 and at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. She has impressed selectors throughout 2013, culminating in two silver medals – in ribbon and overall – and one bronze medal in ball at the 2013 British Championships.
Glasgow-born Victoria Clow made her debut for Team Scotland at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games as a 16-year-old, finishing 14th in the Individual All-Around Final. Serious injury problems shortly after Delhi hampered her progress, but the 19-year-old signalled her return to form in style, crowned 2013 Scottish Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics All-Around Champion. She is a member of Pentland Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in Edinburgh andis now based in Essex, where she is studying Acting & Stage Combat.
Marion Sands, Scottish Gymnastics Rhythmic Coach, said:”I would like to offer my congratulations to the gymnasts and their personal coaches who have worked tirelessly to achieve this success, their selection today is the result of absolute commitment and dedication over a number of years. I am delighted that Scotland will be represented in the team competition at Glasgow 2014, the first time since 1998. It is fitting this will happen at a home games and I am sure the gymnasts will receive a tremendous boost from the home crowd support”.
Photo credit: Alistair Devine
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Also selected today onto Team Scotland, following their nomination by Scottish Squash and Racketball and ratification by Commonwealth Games Scotland, are squash players Stuart Crawford, Greg Lobban and Kevin Moran. The trio complete the Scotland squash team, joining compatriots Alex Clark, Alan Clyne, Frania Gillen-Buchert and Harry Leitch, whose selection was confirmed in September.
Scotstoun Sports Campus will host 11 days of fast-paced squash action from Thursday 24 July to Sunday 3 August 2014, with five gold medal competitions in Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles and in Mixed Doubles.
Men’s Doubles talent Stuart Crawford, 33, hails from Irvine and is based in Edinburgh where he is the Assistant National Squash Coach. In an illustrious squash career, Crawford is a five-time Scottish Champion, most recently in 2011, and has amassed more than 70 international caps, competing at four World Championships. In 2012 and 2013, Crawford reached the semi-finals of the European Men’s Team Championships alongside Alan Clyne and Kevin Moran. Stuart will team up with Greg Lobban at Glasgow 2014 in the Men’s Doubles, building on their successful partnership as winners of the 2014 Scottish Open Doubles Championship and runners-up in the British Open Doubles Championship.
Greg Lobban, 21, from North Kessock, Inverness now lives and trains in Edinburgh having graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a Sports & Exercise Science and Sports Coaching degree. Lobban burst onto the scene in 2009, captaining Scotland U17 to a silver medal at the European Team Championships, Scotland’s best ever result at this level. Since then, has risen through the ranks, crowned Scottish U19 Champion in 2011, U21 Australian Open Champion in 2012 and Scottish Men’s Champion in 2013. On top of his doubles successes with Crawford, Lobban competes on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Circuit where he has won two titles, including the Geneva Open in March this year and reached a further five finals.
Paisley-born Kevin Moran, 23, is also based in Edinburgh and will compete in the Mixed Doubles event alongside Alex Clark. Moran narrowly missed out on selection for men’s doubles, but has shown his strength and depth in mixed doubles, having competed alongside a number of playing partners. Moran competes on the PSA Circuit and in 2013 he was crowned Scottish U23 Champion. He was also a member of the team which finished fourth in the European Men’s Team Championships in 2012 and 2013.
Scottish Squash National Coach Roger Flynn said: “The competition for Team Scotland’s second Men’s Doubles Squash pairing throughout the selection period has been fierce but the team of Greg Lobban and Stuart Crawford has been working extremely well together and their selection caps a wonderful year to date for them. Kevin Moran is another young star of the future who has shown that he is a natural at mixed doubles. Scotland has a reputation as one of the strongest nations in Doubles and will be looking to medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Photo credit: Alistair Devine
Scotland will field a team in the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the first time since 1998. The three women gymnasts were announced by Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) today, along with three further squash players to represent Team Scotland this summer.
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a visually stunning sport in which competitors require flexibility, technical skill and grace as they perform routines to music using different pieces of apparatus.
First introduced to the Commonwealth Games programme in 1990, Glasgow 2014 includes a Team competition with each gymnast performing up to four routines using different apparatus. It also acts as the qualifier for the individual events with the top 16 going through to the Individual All-Around competition, and the top eight in each piece of apparatus progressing to the Individual Apparatus finals in Ball, Clubs, Hoop and Ribbon.
CGS, in conjunction with Scottish Gymnastics, confirmed the selection of rhythmic gymnasts Rebecca Bee, Lauren Brash and Victoria Clow who will represent Scotland in the Team Event and look to compete for honours in five further medal events at the SSE Hydro from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 July, 2014.
Rebecca Bee lives, trains and studies in Aberdeen. The 19-year-old was crowned 2014 Scottish Senior All-Around Champion, scoring highest for ribbon, but also setting the selection standard in the ball, clubs and hoop. She started in artistic gymnastics, but turned her focus to rhythmic gymnastics aged seven and has been competing in the sport ever since.
At just 15, Lauren Brash is the youngest member of the trio and Team Scotland’s youngest team member so far. A pupil at Deans Community High School in Livingston, she competed for Team GB at the European Junior Championships in 2012 and at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. She has impressed selectors throughout 2013, culminating in two silver medals – in ribbon and overall – and one bronze medal in ball at the 2013 British Championships.
Glasgow-born Victoria Clow made her debut for Team Scotland at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games as a 16-year-old, finishing 14th in the Individual All-Around Final. Serious injury problems shortly after Delhi hampered her progress, but the 19-year-old signalled her return to form in style, crowned 2013 Scottish Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics All-Around Champion. She is a member of Pentland Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in Edinburgh and is now based in Essex, where she is studying Acting & Stage Combat.
Marion Sands, Scottish Gymnastics Rhythmic Coach, said:”I would like to offer my congratulations to the gymnasts and their personal coaches who have worked tirelessly to achieve this success, their selection today is the result of absolute commitment and dedication over a number of years. I am delighted that Scotland will be represented in the team competition at Glasgow 2014, the first time since 1998. It is fitting this will happen at a home games and I am sure the gymnasts will receive a tremendous boost from the home crowd support”.
Also selected today onto Team Scotland, following their nomination by Scottish Squash and Racketball and ratification by CGS, are squash players Stuart Crawford, Greg Lobban and Kevin Moran. The trio complete the Scotland squash team, joining compatriots Alex Clark, Alan Clyne, Frania Gillen-Buchert and Harry Leitch, whose selection was confirmed in September.
Scotstoun Sports Campus will host 11 days of fast-paced squash action from Thursday 24 July to Sunday 3 August 2014, with five gold medal competitions in Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles and in Mixed Doubles.
Men’s Doubles talent Stuart Crawford, 33, hails from Irvine and is based in Edinburgh where he is the Assistant National Squash Coach. In an illustrious squash career, Crawford is a five-time Scottish Champion, most recently in 2011, and has amassed more than 70 international caps, competing at four World Championships. In 2012 and 2013, Crawford reached the semi-finals of the European Men’s Team Championships alongside Alan Clyne and Kevin Moran. Stuart will team up with Greg Lobban at Glasgow 2014 in the Men’s Doubles, building on their successful partnership as winners of the 2014 Scottish Open Doubles Championship and runners-up in the British Open Doubles Championship.
Greg Lobban, 21, from North Kessock, Inverness now lives and trains in Edinburgh having graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a Sports & Exercise Science and Sports Coaching degree. Lobban burst onto the scene in 2009, captaining Scotland U17 to a silver medal at the European Team Championships, Scotland’s best ever result at this level. Since then, has risen through the ranks, crowned Scottish U19 Champion in 2011, U21 Australian Open Champion in 2012 and Scottish Men’s Champion in 2013. On top of his doubles successes with Crawford, Lobban competes on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Circuit where he has won two titles, including the Geneva Open in March this year and reached a further five finals.
Paisley-born Kevin Moran, 23, is also based in Edinburgh and will compete in the Mixed Doubles event alongside Alex Clark. Moran narrowly missed out on selection for men’s doubles, but has shown his strength and depth in mixed doubles, having competed alongside a number of playing partners. Moran competes on the PSA Circuit and in 2013 he was crowned Scottish U23 Champion. He was also a member of the team which finished fourth in the European Men’s Team Championships in 2012 and 2013.
Scottish Squash National Coach Roger Flynn said: “The competition for Team Scotland’s second Men’s Doubles Squash pairing throughout the selection period has been fierce but the team of Greg Lobban and Stuart Crawford has been working extremely well together and their selection caps a wonderful year to date for them. Kevin Moran is another young star of the future who has shown that he is a natural at mixed doubles. Scotland has a reputation as one of the strongest nations in Doubles and will be looking to medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Making the announcement Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Jon Doig said: “We’re delighted to announce our Rhythmic Gymnastics team, which has a fantastic blend of youth and experience. This is also the case for the trio of squash players named today and I am certain all six athletes will perform to their best, buoyed by fantastic home support. We are determined to deliver the biggest and best prepared Team Scotland of any Commonwealth Games to date.”
The Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games, Shona Robison said: “With another two squads announced, Team Scotland is really beginning to take shape. You can feel the anticipation building towards the Games. The Commonwealth Games is an opportunity for athletes to give their all for Scotland on the world stage and making the team is a great achievement. Years of practice, coaching and dedication – in the courts and with the apparatus – will be on show come July and I know the whole of Scotland will be behind our athletes all the way. I would like to congratulate the athletes on their selection and wish them all the best as they make their final preparations for the Games.”
The athletes announced today have benefited from the support of sportscotland the national agency for sport and in particular from the high performance support and expertise provided by the sportscotland institute of sport.
Welcoming the selections, Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: “I am delighted that Scotland will be competing in the Rhythmic Gymnastics team competition for the first time since 1998 and Rebecca, Lauren and Victoria should take great pride in their selection.
“Their inclusion, plus the addition of Stuart, Greg and Kevin to our squash team, confirm that Team Scotland is shaping up to provide Scotland’s best ever Commonwealth Games performance at what promises to be the best ever Games. The range of high performance support services the athletes receive from sportscotland is among the best in the world and we are preparing some of the best athletes in the world – we have much to be proud of and much to look forward to.”
Scotland will also enter athletes in the Artistic Gymnastics competition with selected athletes to be announced in May.
This is the second team announcement of 2014 and brings the total Team Scotland numbers selected so far to 52, with an anticipated final team size in the region of 270 athletes.
Selected Athletes
Name Event Born/ Lives
Rhythmic Gymnastics:
Rebecca Bee Team Competition Aberdeen/Aberdeen
Lauren Brash Team Competition Livingston/Livingston
Victoria Clow Team Competition Giffnock/Essex
Squash:
Stuart Crawford Men’s Doubles Irvine/Edinburgh
Greg Lobban Men’s Doubles Inverness/Edinburgh
Kevin Moran Mixed Doubles Paisley/Edinburgh
Ross Murdoch cemented his breaststroke credentials at the Scottish National Open Swimming Championships last week – setting Commonwealth nomination times over 50m, 100m and 200m.
The 20-year-old was one of 24 medallists who posted times for Team Scotland consideration in an action-packed four days competition at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow.
“It’s been a fantastic meet; the crowd has been amazing and I’ve been swimming really well,” said the delighted University of Stirling student, who set a British record in the 50m and a Scottish record over 100m, with silver in the 200m.
Scotland has a bounty of brilliant breaststroke swimmers all vying for selection, including 200m Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson and triple Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallist Craig Benson.
Jamieson won his favoured 200m and was second to Murdoch in the 100m, again posting a qualification time, but Benson was agonisingly 0.01 seconds outside. Mark Tully (50m), Joe Welstead (50m) and Calum Tait (200m) also collected a combination of medals and consideration times in men’s breaststroke events.
Murdoch, from Balfron in Stirlingshire, added: “Hopefully those three times should be good enough to get a spot on the team, even after the British Swimming Championships next week.
“It’s all about doing it when it counts. It adds to the pressure, especially having MJ [Michael Jamieson] and Craig [Benson] there knowing what they’ve done in the past. It’s one thing doing it when they’re not there, but you really have to step up when these guys are standing next to you and show what you are capable of.”
In both the women’s 50m and 100m breaststroke, all three medallists set the Team Scotland standard. The 50m gold was won by Corrie Scott with team-mates Kathryn Johnstone and Andrea Strachan taking silver and bronze respectively, whilst over the 100m distance Johnstone took the gold, Scott the silver and Katie Armitage bronze.
Scott and Johnstone both represented Team Scotland at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and Scott is looking forward to her second splash at Glasgow 2014.
She said: “I am so happy for Kathryn and I to have made the time. We train together, race together and push each other on all the time. I was only 16 when I qualified for Delhi and I was in awe of absolutely everything. I’m more mature now, know what to expect and can’t wait to compete.”
Current 400m individual medley Commonwealth champion Hannah Miley cruised to gold well inside the qualification time and also posted consideration times in the 200m IM and 800m freestyle.
Also looking set to defend his Commonwealth crown is Robbie Renwick, who posted times in both the 200m and 400m freestyle, having won the former in Delhi. Renwick was also part of the silver medal-winning 4x200m freestyle relay team in Delhi and his fellow medallists.
Cameron Brodie (200m butterfly) and Lewis Smith (200m butterfly and 400m IM) posted nomination times to edge closer to selection for a second Commonwealth Games.
The smile said it all as Craig McNally looked to have earned his second Commonwealth call-up when he won the 200m backstroke almost a second inside the nomination time. McNally made headlines last summer at the World Championships in Barcelona when he was the fastest Commonwealth swimmer in the final.
He said: “What a relief. At least tonight I can sleep well knowing I’ve got the time. I think with that performance [in Barcelona] there are added expectations which could lead to some pressure on me to do well in the summer, but I relish that, I like pressure and the extra nerves that pressure gives me, which is ultimately what drives me to do better and post fast times.”
Stirling speedster Sian Harkin posted two times for consideration, in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly, whilst Edinburgh University student Richard Schafers broke his own 50m freestyle Scottish record and was well within the qualification standard.
Dan Wallace flew in from the USA especially for the Championships and will be enjoying his flight back, having posted times in three events: 200m and 400m IM and 400m freestyle. And Perth talent Stephen Milne went the distance, posting times in both the 400m and 1500m freestyle, with bronze and gold medals respectively.
Other medallists setting the standard over the four days were: Kathleen Dawson (50m backstroke); Craig Hamilton (1500m freestyle); Camilla Hattersley (800m freestyle); Aisha Thornton (800m freestyle); Craig Rodgie (200m Freestyle S14) and Ross Muir (400m IM).
Scotland’s leading swimmers will have another chance to post nomination times at the British Swimming Championships from 10 to 15 April, again at Tollcross, the Glasgow 2014 swimming competition venue.
Director of Performance, Ally Whike said: “Overall it’s been a positive Championships. This is the first of two phase one selection meets and there are still a number of Team Scotland places up for grabs next week. I think we’re still to see plenty of twists and turns at the British Championships and I’m looking forward to seeing the swimmers stepping up their level of performance once again.”
Photo credit: Scottish Swimming/ Ian MacNicol
The name Laura Cluxton isn’t that well known outside the cycling world, but we have every confidence it will be in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow!
The 33 year old visually impaired cyclist, who is part of the Scottish Cycling Performance Team, is a newcomer to cycling, with less than a year’s elite cycling experience under her belt. We were lucky enough to catch up with Laura after one of her training sessions and talk about her whirlwind cycling journey so far.
“Back in 2009 I was looking for something to do with my time after leaving my job and noticed UK Sport were looking for people to try out different sports ahead of the Paralympics, so I thought ‘why not fill out an application’? I was pointed in the direction of cycling and have never looked back.”
“I had to go through several fitness tests, wattbike tests and even had to try out track cycling for the first time at Newport velodrome in Wales. My first moments on the track were daunting. I didn’t even know anything about a velodrome so I had no clue what to expect, it felt really, really fast and scary and it took some getting used to but was enjoyable at the same time.”
Laura unfortunately didn’t make it onto the UK Sport programme, due to not having enough cycling experience but never had any intention of giving up.
“They told me to keep cycling, so I did! I bought my first tandem bike and for three years I went cycling with my husband.”
Up until last year, Laura never thought about taking her cycling to the next level but as soon as the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome opened it was the perfect opportunity to get back on the track!
“With the help of Fiona Duncan, a Scottish and British Cycling tandem pilot, I managed to find a pilot to ride with and I really enjoyed it. After only a few months of training we ended up competing at the 2013 British Cycling National Track Championships in Manchester, which was my first experience of competing at British National Level, and managed to clock some decent times.”
After only a few months of track cycling and a couple of competitions behind her, Laura was selected for the Scottish Cycling Performance Team in November 2013 where she was paired with Paralympic athlete and World Cup gold medallist pilot Fiona Duncan.
“Initially when I joined the Scottish Cycling team I had loads of doubts in my head and wondered if I was good enough, especially to compete for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, but over the past couple of months I have learnt so much in such a short space of time and my track times have been getting better and better. I feel so lucky and it seems everything is now clicking into place. Competing at a home Games is a reality. It’s a once in a life time chance to compete for Scotland on home soil, in front of a home crowd so I hope to make the team and win a medal.”
After taking up the sport by chance and with only four months on the Scottish Cycling Performance Programme, Laura piloted by Fiona has now managed to achieve her qualification times for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Last week Laura joined the Scottish Cycling Performance Team on a warm weather training camp in Majorca, where they took full advantage of the sun and getting out on the roads!
You can follow Laura on Twitter @pixielaurac
Photo credit: Dave Urquhart/ Scottish Cycling
Early Thursday morning, Scotland’s most medalled athlete, triple Olympian and double Commonwealth Games medallist retired at age 35. The Scottish 400m runner, who had been aiming to qualify for Team Scotland for Glasgow 2014, will step down from the sport with immediate effect after a very accomplished career.
“Over the past few months my life has changed in an amazing way, I am now a mum,” said Lee. “When I fell pregnant with Ethan I made the decision to continue with training through and post pregnancy and see where that took me. 2014 is obviously a huge year for Scotland and this was not an easy decision to make as it means not competing in a home Commonwealth Games.”
The nine time major championship medallist has been a fantastic ambassador for Team Scotland, first competing in the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games where she took silver and later took bronze in the 2006 Melbourne Games. However, it was the allure of hearing the Hampden roar that motivated the 400m track star to put back on her running shoes:
“If the Commonwealth Games weren’t in Glasgow then I wouldn’t contemplate trying to get back. I was born and raised in Glasgow and I still live in the city so it’d be a shame to miss it,” she said. “I have now reached the decision that my career as a professional athlete has come to an end.”
Lee has been a positive influence on many over the years, especially to the up and coming athletes at her home club of the Shaftesbury Barnett Harriers. Training partner Diane Ramsay, aged 20 said: “Getting to train alongside Lee is great on many levels. She is in my squad and whether it is witnessing her attitude to training, running alongside her or going to her for advice, she is just great to be around. I would definitely say she is a mentor figure.”
Good friend and Team Scotland 400m Hurdler, Eilidh Child summaries the thoughts of Team Scotland in this tweet:
“Sorry to hear the news but lots more exciting things to look forward too away from the track! We will miss you in Glasgow x.”- @EilidhChild
You can follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeMcConnell400
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Glasgow 2014 has today (Tuesday, 1 April) opened its first official merchandise store in Glasgow’s Central Station. The official merchandise gives the Scottish public a great opportunity to come together as a nation and back Team Scotland this summer.
With the clock counting down to the start of this summer’s much anticipated Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014 has taken the wraps off the first of more than 40 planned stores in competition venues and across the city.
Clyde, the Glasgow 2014 mascot was joined at Central Station this morning by Deputy Chief Executive Ty Speer and Weightlifter Peter Kirkbride, a Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 silver medallist, to cut the ribbon and reveal the store in all its glory in the heart of the city.
Sports fans can now get their hands on official Glasgow 2014 merchandise as well as Team Scotland goods and their very own replicas of our cheeky mascot Clyde from the Central Station shop, which will be open seven days a week. Merchandise can also be bought online at https://shop.glasgow2014.com//.
The store, run by Venue Retail 2014 Limited, is creating new jobs as part of a drive which will see several hundred temporary jobs created in Glasgow to handle the sale of official Commonwealth Games merchandise.
Ty Speer, Glasgow 2014 Deputy Chief Executive, said:
“We are delighted to be opening our first official merchandise store in the heart of Glasgow. Central Station is one of Glasgow’s main commuter hubs with around 750,000 people passing through every week making it the ideal place to showcase our range of Glasgow 2014 goods.
“For people arriving in Glasgow for the Games, the retail store will be their first experience of Glasgow 2014 and we are confident it will be a memorable one.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“Team Scotland is anticipating massive levels of home support at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. What better way for the whole of Scotland to get behind the team, show their support and play their part in the Team’s success than wearing our traditional team colours and bearing our distinctive logo.”