Jockeying for another British Championship title in a few days’ time is judoka Matthew Purssey. With seven British Championship titles already under his belt, Matt can also lay claim to a host of World Cup podium positions as well as a bronze in the 2011 London Olympic test event. However, when the eyes of the world turned to the ExCel Arena in the east of London for the 2012 Olympics, Matt was nowhere to be seen.
“I was second choice at the Olympics last year and it was bitterly disappointing. Second choice is basically a standby reserve who may get called up if somebody gets injured and it rarely happens. I was in the holding and training camp as a training partner for a guy in the weight category above but the Olympics is really the pinnacle in a judo player’s career, it is as a child what you aspire towards and I wasn’t there. I was 31 and I missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime to perform in front of the home crowd and it honestly almost ended my career.
“If it wasn’t for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, I would have called it a day. It is very exciting to be part of something like this and it is a fantastic opportunity to have your friends and family watching you – it is a huge motivator.”
One year on, Matt not only trains at the Judo Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh, but since October he is also employed as the National Transition Coach: “I work with 16-22 year olds who have big ambitions and I help them achieve them, which is very awarding” said Matt, who works alongside good friend and coach David Somerville in carefully balancing work commitments with training.
Matt’s coaching resume includes coaching Para-athletes through the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, backed up with 26 years experience as an athlete: “At the age of six, my friend wanted to go to the local judo club but didn’t want to go by himself so my mum kindly offered to send me along with him. Unfortunately my friend didn’t really like it much and quit after three weeks, but my brother and I really had the bug so we carried on. I think I was quite boisterous as a child, we lived out in the sticks and there wasn’t many other kids to play with, so it was a great way to let off steam.”
Despite his wealth of experience Matt has decided to retire after the Glasgow Commonwealth Games to fully focus on his coaching role, however his immediate focus is on approaching competitions such as the 2013 British Championships in Sheffield to improve his chances of selection for Team Scotland. He will also spend more time in the weight room, to increase weight and strength with the aim to taper down into Glasgow 2014, and of course eat the right food to make this possible: “Food is vital” he said. “I come from judo which is a weight management sport so if you don’t make the weight you are disqualified from the tournament, so eating the right food at the right time is essential.”
It was therefore an ideal fit for Matt when he helped to launch the Glasgow 2014 Food Charter in November which aims to showcase Scotland as a land of food and drink with some of the best natural produce in the world. The Charter also outlines a commitment to the ethical, safe, and healthy-living standards for all food served across the Games.
Good luck to Matt and all the Scottish judokas competing at the British Championship on the 19th and 20th December.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattPurssey
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Glasgow 2014 marked the start of operations to transform the interior of Scotland’s National Stadium into a world-class athletics arena for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – with the lifting of the famous Hampden turf.
The key moment of the Games’ most innovative construction project was overseen by Scottish medal hopeful Meggan Dawson-Farrell who will compete in the stadium for Team Scotland in the Para-Sport T54 1500 metres at next year’s Games.
Hampden Park will take centre stage as the venue where the Commonwealth’s elite track and field athletes will go head-to-head for gold and glory in front of sell-out crowds.
It will be a Hampden like no one has seen before. As part of its temporary transformation, the stadium will be given a dramatic new look to gain the width and length required for an IAAF-approved athletics track.
An innovative technical solution will see the playing surface raised by more than 6ft on a grid of structural steel stilts. This will be the first time this technology has been used on this scale to deliver a world-class athletics event.
For Games-time the arena will be transformed into a 44,000-seater stadium, before returning Hampden to its current 52,000 capacity following the end of the Games.
Work to reconfigure the stadium is expected to be finished by mid-May 2014 with the venue expected to play host to the 2014 Scottish Schools Athletics Championships in June.
During Games time, Hampden will also feature the branding of Glasgow 2014’s Official Presenting Partner of Athletics, Virgin Media.
Hampden Park has already benefitted from its link to the Games, with the Organising Committee having funded a £3million permanent extension to the stadium’s North Stand including new and improved spectator facilities. This work was completed in time for this year’s Scottish Cup final in May.
It complements wider legacy improvements to the Hampden Campus, which have also seen the construction of a new pavilion for Queens Park FC at Lesser Hampden.
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said: “Today marks another exciting milestone in our journey to the Games with the start of the innovative and exciting transformation of Hampden, Scotland’s National Stadium.
“Hampden is already known the world-over as the home of Scottish football and we are thrilled that our exciting, innovative and sustainable plans will temporarily transform one of the world’s great football stadiums into a fantastic athletics competition venue for the elite athletes of the Commonwealth.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “Hampden Park is such an iconic venue for Scotland and will make for an absolutely fantastic patriotic arena for the Commonwealth Games.
“Selection for Team Scotland is well under way and our track and field athletes in particular have been showing great form. I know just how much they are looking forward to competing at Hampden and I’m delighted work to transform the stadium has now started.”
Hampden Park Managing Director Peter Dallas said: “After six years of detailed planning, today is another key date in our calendar. Everyone at Hampden is looking forward to assisting with the delivery of the Games which will add another chapter to Hampden’s long and proud history.
Like so many world class footballers and rock stars before them, the athletes will savour the unique passion and energy created by a full capacity crowd at Hampden.”
As the reigning Scottish outdoor champion for Long Jump and recently selected to represent Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014, Sarah Warnock has clearly peaked at the right time. Interestingly however, Sarah was not always set on Long Jump and her choice of specialising in a Track and Field event came very late for one so talented.
“I started athletics because a boy down my road took me along to Musselburgh District Athletics Club, I was about nine at the time. I was pretty fast and loved being outside, but I did a bit of everything for many years. Sprints, Triple Jump, Hurdles, so on and it was only when I started to compete at U20s that I finally picked Long Jump.”
Born and raised in Musselburgh, East Lothian and now aged 22, like most of us Sarah enjoys what she is good at and that was her main motivation for eventually selecting Long Jump. “It’s where my heart is”, she said.
Graduating last summer with a degree in Radiography from Queen Margaret University, Sarah has continued her student job serving ice cream in her local shop, five shifts a week to allow time for training: “With Radiography you have a sporadic shift pattern and working night shifts is obviously not ideal for training. I just don’t want to go to Glasgow for the t-shirt, I want to be proud of my performance and that means a lot of hard work over these winter months and that means putting Radiography on hold.”
However, Sarah’s selection for Team Scotland came as a major surprise: “It’s amazing to get selected and acknowledged for your hard work. It will give me that little extra bit of motivation over the cold winter months but it is honestly a bit of a surprise. Winning the Scottish Championships with a Team Scotland standard was huge, I have never won a Scottish outdoor title and I was not expecting it. That is what propelled me into the selection conversation.”
One thing is for certain next summer, Sarah will not be lonely, with good friends and Edinburgh Athletics Club team mates, Jayne Nisbet and Emma Nuttall (High Jumpers) also earning places in Team Scotland. However, her relationship with fellow long jumper Jade Nimmo is a slightly more competitive one: “We don’t see each other that much but we get on well and we talk at during competitions.”
The friendly rivalry will clearly spur both girls on as they prepare for the biggest event of their lives next summer. The last time they competed was at the 2013 Scottish Senior Championships where Sarah edged-out Jade for the top place on the Scotsoun podium, whilst Jade is the Scottish record holder. Both are now in contention for a place in the 2014 Glasgow British Athletics Intentional Match on 25th January at the Emirates Arena which would give them a taste of home support an an indication of early season form.
You can follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahWarnock05
Tickets for the 2014 Glasgow British Athletics Intentional Match can be found here.
Photo Credit: Mark Shearman
The Irishman who will take charge of Scotland’s track and field team at Glasgow 2014 next summer believes Kilmarnock will provide the perfect pre-Games 2014 platform for Team Scotland athletes.
Stephen Maguire is delighted with an agreement which will make the Ayrshire Athletics Arena a ‘base camp’ for athletes before they compete at Hampden during the Commonwealth Games.
Scottishathletics, East Ayrshire Leisure and East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership are involved in the plan in association with Commonwealth Games Scotland.
And Maguire wants top stars like Eilidh Child, Eilish McColgan and Jamie Bowie to have community involvement with local clubs like Kilmarnock Harriers and Ayr Seaforth as part of their build-up.
“One thing I didn’t want to set-up in advance of the Games was a situation whereby athlete were being ‘locked away’ from the Scottish public in a hotel for a couple of weeks,” said Maguire.
“I don’t think that kind of living in a bubble training camp is advantageous ahead of a major tournament and all the excitement that generates.
“There will be a lot of enthusiasm and passion for Team Scotland in the final few days before the Commonwealth Games next summer and you want to feed off that to an extent.
“Obviously there will be times when athletes need to focus hard and will be training on their own, in groups or just with their own coach.
“But, at other times, I want to see some community involvement and we’re talking to East Ayrshire Leisure about that for next July and perhaps linking up with youngsters involved in East Ayrshire Leisure’s summer athletics camps, that kind of thing.”
The athletes will move into the Village in Glasgow’s East End immediately prior to competing in their events.
Long jumper, Sarah Warnock, can’t wait for 2014 to start with an exciting year ahead for the 2013 Scottish champion.
Warnock started the calendar year adrift of the qualifying standard required for Glasgow 2014 but a series of personal best jumps put her in the frame and she was duly among the ‘early’ selections by Team Scotland back in September.
And she has important club duties ahead with Edinburgh AC as well as her looming international duty in Scotland kit.
“It is going to be a big year for obvious reasons,’ said Warnock.
“The Games are catching the imagination of the Scottish public as we have all seen from the ticket sales and thankfully my family and friends have now managed to get them for the long jump qualifying rounds.
“Before that I will be involved in a European Clubs event in May with Edinburgh AC. We won the British Women’s League this year to qualify and it was a great achievement for a Scottish club.
“We’re heading to Portugal for that one and then, not long afterwards, thoughts will turn towards Glasgow 2014. It is so exciting and I think being based at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Kilmarnock will really keep us connected with the public. The facilities at the track look excellent and I think it is a good idea that there will be some community involvement, too.”
Jon Doig, Team Scotland Chef De Mission, added: “We are pleased to confirm that the plans for the final part of Team Scotland track and field preparations have now been made and we think this base in Kilmarnock is ideal for our needs.
“It is important to us that the whole of Scotland gets behind the team and feels part of the Games and initiatives like this are ideal for fostering that support.”
The impressive Ayrshire Athletics Arena was built at a cost of close to £7m to East Ayrshire Council and staged the scottishathletics West District Championships last May as well as a range of other regional and national track and field events that featured on the 2013 athletics calendar.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council and Chair of East Ayrshire Leisure said: “We’re delighted that the Ayrshire Athletics Arena has been chosen as Team Scotland’s base for the Commonwealth Games and is not only testament to the incredible facilities we have on offer but also the dedication and professionalism of our staff based there.
“Legacy is very important to our Council, we are really looking forward to welcoming all the athletes and are keen to start discussions about them becoming involved in events with our local communities so they can inspire our young people to be future sporting stars.”
Photo Credit: Mike Scott
Olympic athletes Aileen McGlynn OBE, Fiona Duncan, Neil Fachie and Craig MacLean will head to Newport, Wales this weekend to compete at the International Para-cycling cup.
The three day event runs from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December and promises to attract a strong international line up with some world class racing, with Scottish athletes looking to set qualification standards for the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014.
Gary Coltman, Scottish Cycling’s head of performance said: “Next year presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of our elite athletes, to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games on home soil.
Our athletes have been training hard, and are in good shape. They are all very much looking forward to the competition and will be targeting qualification standards as well as aiming for the podium in all of their events.”
Multiple gold medallist McGlynn will be piloted by Fiona Duncan whilst Duncan’s Cycling Club team mate Neil Fachie will be piloted by Craig MacLean. Also making their international debut will be Team Thompsons Cycles pairing Laura Cluxton and pilot Lyndsey Carson.
Neil Fachie, who claimed gold at the Paralympics at London 2012 last summer said: “We don’t have very many events, unfortunately, but this weekend is a pretty key event for us as we approach Glasgow 2014 next summer. Our form is really good and it is a great line up we will face, so we will finally get to see how we are doing. I’m sure we will do well.”
“We are expecting to get the qualification time to make Team Scotland for Glasgow 2014, which should be comfortable, and then there is really no alternative to winning really. I’m sure if we didn’t win we would be disappointed.”
The Newport International Para-cycling Cup coincides with the 10th anniversary of Wales National Velodrome, and is anticipated to attract some of the world’s top Para-cyclists from around the world.
You can follow Neil on Twitter @neilfachie
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Glasgow 2014 today (Friday 29 November) unveiled its Commonwealth Games Food Charter that all appointed caterers to the event will be required to sign up to.
The legacy of the Food Charter will see it act as a blueprint for major sporting and cultural events held in Scotland beyond the Games.
Glasgow 2014 has worked in collaboration with Scottish Government partners, the Food Standards Agency – Scotland, and the food industry to develop the document.
As well as showcasing the Scottish larder, it outlines a commitment to the ethical, safe, and healthy-living standards for all food served across the Games, including traceability.
The provenance of food, where it comes from and how it has been produced, is central to the Charter which will establish Games-time food sourcing standards.
Glasgow 2014 seeks to showcase Scottish produce to help contribute to the wider industry ambition to grow the value of the sector and develop Scotland’s reputation as a Land of Food and Drink.
The Food Charter has been developed with advice from a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, educators, health agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and communities to help them achieve their aims:
Scottish Government Food and Drink Industry Division
Scotland Food & Drink (and related industry stakeholders including Quality Meat Scotland; Seafood Scotland; Scottish Bakers and Soil Association Scotland)
Scottish Enterprise
Glasgow City Council
Food Standards Agency – Scotland
British Hospitality Association
Glasgow Restaurant Association
Scotland is a land of food and drink with some of the best natural produce in the world. The foods reared, grown and made here stand for quality – a value which people around the world attach to ‘Scotland’s larder’.
One of Glasgow 2014’s obligations is to stage a Games with responsible environmental and sustainability standards. It aims to minimise its impact on the environment and seek opportunities that will enhance the environment. One way of doing this is to adopt a strategy of sourcing local food, where possible, from sustainable and traceable sources.
Glasgow 2014 has produced this Food Charterto demonstrate its commitment to taking proper account of the sustainability in the food provided at the Games. Glasgow 2014 also aims to promote healthy living, and will do this via the provision of a variety of authentic foods, including healthier options.
The Food Charter will contribute to a key objective of both Glasgow 2014 and the Scottish Government’s Legacy 2014 programme: to improve the health of Scotland’s population, with a particular focus on the prevention of obesity.
Glasgow 2014 has developed a sustainable procurement policy for the purchase of goods, services and sponsorship. This policy highlights the importance of sustainable, ethical and socially-aware resourcing; factors that were also recognised by Scotland’s achievement of Fair Trade Nation status in 2013.
Sustainable food can be defined as food that, through its production, processing, distribution consumption and waste management, provides a range of benefits and minimises harm. It requires consideration of where the main impacts in food supply may be, for example in primary production, processing, packaging or distribution.
The charter signals Glasgow 2014’s intention to promote four themes:
Sustainability and culture
Resource and provision
Diversity, consistency and health
Standard practice
Glasgow 2014’s challenge is to deliver a catering programme that meets the needs of many stakeholders while remaining on time and on budget; and within space, security and supplier constraints. It will strive for best value and encourage open and transparent procurement of catering services and food supplies from businesses in Scotland, the EU and beyond.
Glasgow 2014 will publicise its successes, knowledge and good practice to emphasise the message that its Food Charter demonstrates commitment to sustainable procurement and to achieving good outcomes for athletes, for people working or attending the Games, and for food suppliers.
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said:
“Scotland’s food and drink is among the world’s finest, so it’s fitting that Glasgow 2014’s Food Charter should set a new benchmark for the country’s major events.
“This Charter is the result of a great partnership between the Games and Scotland’s food and drink industry and demonstrates our shared ambitions for the highest standards in the sourcing of produce consumed during Glasgow 2014 by everyone from athletes to spectators.
“The Commonwealth Games is an opportunity to showcase Scotland’s outstanding produce and the values behind it to our visitors from across the globe.”
Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Food Minister, said:
“This Food Charter will allow athletes and spectators alike to enjoy the very best of Scotland’s superb food and drink during Glasgow 2014, when the eyes of the world are on our nation.
“I look forward to seeing the principles and standards set out in the Commonwealth Games Food Charter used as a basis for a wider Food and Drink Charter for Events in Scotland. This will present a great opportunity for Scottish food and drink businesses to supply good quality, healthy, authentic food and drink at local, national and international events across the country starting in our second Year of Food and Drink in 2015.”
James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food & Drink, said:
“Next year, Scotland’s rich natural larder will be sampled by visitors from all over the world, particularly during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Throughout the Games, the Athletes’ Village and all the Games venues will benefit from this innovative Food Charter; a promise to proudly serve Scottish food of the highest quality and traceable provenance. Glasgow 2014 anticipates serving over two million meals, with the finest home-grown produce providing the backbone of this huge catering operation.
“Scotland Food & Drink and partners, who have helped develop the Charter, will now be striving to ensure it is firmly established as a legacy document of which we can be proud.
“I believe this can set a new benchmark, ensuring only the highest quality Scottish food and drink is sourced and served at major events. This is a hugely significant move from Glasgow 2014, and they should be proud of the standards they will be setting.”
Rhona Simpson, Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Athletes’ Advisory Committee, said:
“It is important that all competing athletes eat the best possible range and standard of food to fuel their performance levels during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Through the Food Focus Group, the Athletes’ Advisory Committee have been involved in discussions to help ensure happens at Glasgow 2014 and we welcome today’s Food Charter.”
Sports fans have the chance to support Team Scotland in style with the launch of a new leisurewear collection launched by Glasgow 2014 today (Thursday 28 November).
Athletes Charline Joiner, Samantha Kinghorn and Guy Learmonth were all given a sneak preview of the stylish merchandise which includes tee-shirts, hoodies and polo-shirts and gave it the collective thumbs up.
Cyclist Charline, a team sprint Silver medallist from Delhi 2010, and aiming to represent Team Scotland in Glasgow in endurance track events said:
“It was great to have a preview of the range and it will be fantastic to see members of the public wearing the Team Scotland clothing. There is something for everyone in the collection and as athletes it will be great for us to see people showing their support by wearing the tee-shirts, polo shirts and hoodies.”
Wheelchair racer Samantha Kinghorn, who has already had her selection confirmed and will make her Games debut in 2014, said:
“For my first Games to be a home Games will be a really special experience for me. I am currently training six days a week and with less than a year to go it is really now becoming a reality. Seeing people wearing the Team Scotland range will be a real boost for the host nation athletes and is a great way of showing support.”
Scottish 800m champion, Guy Learmonth, who is also selected and looking forward to his first Games, said:
“To be involved in a home Games, as my first major competition, is a dream. Seeing the recent interest in tickets for Glasgow 2014 just shows how excited people are about the Games. This new range of Team Scotland merchandise is brilliant. It would be incredible to see people lending their support by wearing it.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“We are delighted with the exciting new range of Team Scotland merchandise that has been produced by Glasgow 2014 in our traditional team colours and bearing our distinctive logo. It is the perfect opportunity for the whole of Scotland to get behind the team, show their support and play their part in the Team’s success.
“Without exception our athletes are all talking about the importance of home support and I know that Scotland has the best supporters in the world and will do us proud next year!”
Ty Speer, Deputy Chief Executive, Glasgow 2014 said:
“This new collection is the latest addition to our branded merchandise and allows people to get behind the athletes and show their support for the Games and Team Scotland. The range has been created so spectators and fans can really feel part of the team and part of the action.”
The full range is available online from the official Glasgow 2014 shop at www.shop.glasgow2014.com.
Orders will be processed from the end of November and with customers in time for Christmas. The range will also be rolled out to high street retailers including Glasgow Life museums and Visit Scotland outlets, including the new flagship Glasgow store on Buchanan Street, and in World Duty Free shops at both Glasgow and Edinburgh International Airports.
Sports fans have the chance to support Team Scotland in style with the launch of a new leisurewear collection launched by Glasgow 2014 today (Thursday 28November).
Athletes Charline Joiner, Samantha Kinghorn and Guy Learmonth were all given a sneak preview of the stylish merchandise which includes tee-shirts, hoodies and polo-shirts and gave it the collective thumbs up.
Cyclist Charline, a team sprint Silver medallist from Delhi 2010, and aiming to represent Team Scotland in Glasgow in endurance track events said:
“It was great to have a preview of the range and it will be fantastic to see members of the public wearing the Team Scotland clothing. There is something for everyone in the collection and as athletes it will be great for us to see people showing their support by wearing the tee-shirts, polo shirts and hoodies.”
Wheelchair racer Samantha Kinghorn, who has already had her selection confirmed and will make her Games debut in 2014, said:
“For my first Games to be a home Games will be a really special experience for me. I am currently training six days a week and with less than a year to go it is really now becoming a reality. Seeing people wearing the Team Scotland range will be a real boost for the host nation athletes and is a great way of showing support.”
Scottish 800m champion, Guy Learmonth, who is also selected and looking forward to his first Games, said:
“To be involved in a home Games, as my first major competition, is a dream. Seeing the recent interest in tickets for Glasgow 2014 just shows how excited people are about the Games. This new range of Team Scotland merchandise is brilliant. It would be incredible to see people lending their support by wearing it.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“We are delighted with the exciting new range of Team Scotland merchandise that has been produced by Glasgow 2014 in our traditional team colours and bearing our distinctive logo. It is the perfect opportunity for the whole of Scotland to get behind the team, show their support and play their part in the Team’s success.
“Without exception our athletes are all talking about the importance of home support and I know that Scotland has the best supporters in the world and will do us proud next year!”
Ty Speer, Deputy Chief Executive, Glasgow 2014 said:
“This new collection is the latest addition to our branded merchandise and allows people to get behind the athletes and show their support for the Games and Team Scotland. The range has been created so spectators and fans can really feel part of the team and part of the action.”
The full range is available online from the official Glasgow 2014 shop at www.shop.glasgow2014.com.
Orders will be processed from the end of November and with customers in time for Christmas. The range will also be rolled out to high street retailers including Glasgow Life museums and Visit Scotland outlets, including the new flagship Glasgow store on Buchanan Street, and in World Duty Free shops at both Glasgow and Edinburgh International Airports.
Photo Credit: Glasgow 2014
19-year-old, former Edinburgh Academy pupil, Alex Glashan, will wins his fifth cap on the HSBC Sevens World Series when he takes the field in Dubai this Friday (29 November).
With eight legs on the circuit to go before Glasgow 2014, every player knows that the pressure to perform is increasing with each match and for Glashan, medalling at the Commonwealth Games is an accolade he doesn’t want to miss out on.
This goal is particularly meaningful, for the scrum-half, as he can boast previous Commonwealth Games experience, but also has the disappointment of missing out on a medal, having come fourth, as a member of the Scotland 7s squad in the Youth Commonwealth Games on the Isle of Man in 2011.
Also in the youth team were fellow Scotland 7s teammates Chris Dean, who is also in the Dubai squad, and Neil Herron.
Glashan said: “Competing in the Isle of Man in 2011 was a fantastic experience, both for my development as a player and in understanding how a multi-sport event operates.
“We had a good squad of guys there and we got to the Bronze medal play-off, but unfortunately lost out to Australia, 15-12. Hopefully in Glasgow the senior team can go one better.”
In Dubai Scotland will face, the nation that knocked Scotland out of that medal game, first up (7.40am, UK time), and having drawn with them in the opening round of the HSBC Sevens World Series, last month, the youngster is keen to make amends.
Glashan continued: “We have nine tournaments this season in the build up to Glasgow and as a collective we have set ourselves a goal of reaching the Cup quarter-finals in each tournament.
“On the Gold Coast we missed that goal, but showed some promise and played some really good rugby, particularly as we bounced back to draw with Australia 21-all having conceded three tries early in the game.
“We want to build on those performances in Dubai and we’re excited about our group [Australia, Wales and Spain]. We hope we can gain some points and keep building up the momentum ahead of the Games next year.”
Prior to joining up with Scotland 7s for the 2012/13 season Glashan was a member of the Edinburgh Academy side who won the under-18 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup finals in 2010 and 2012 at Murrayfield Stadium, respectively.
He also had a man-of-the-match performance in the under-15 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup final in 2009.
As well as his success with his school side, he has also competed with Scotland under-18 and is a keen golfer in his spare time.
Since then his time with the abbreviated national team, where he has been an elite development player for two seasons, has been invaluable to his development.
He concluded: “I’m loving being in the Scotland 7s squad. Last season was my first year in a professional contract and I’m learning from the older players all the time.
“I’m getting much fitter and sevens focuses right into your individual skills so I feel I’m definitely improving as a player. This year is a little different though, we’re all pushing towards medalling at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and for me it is a big focus, as I aim to make the team.”
Glashan in his four World Series caps, so far, has scored five tries and seven conversions, accumulating some 39 points.
You can follow Alex Glashan on Twitter @glash9
Photo Credit: Scottish Rugby
The search for 4,000 batonbearers has been extended until Friday 29 November at 5pm.
We are thrilled with the response, but a number of bashful would-be batonbearers have not yet accepted their nomination so Glasgow 2014 are extending the deadline by a week to give those people time to check their emails, send in their details and finalise their applications. As a result, they will keep the website open for an extra week, enabling nominees to respond by 5pm on Friday 29 November 2013.
Applications may not have been completed for the following reasons:
The nominator may have used an out-of-date email address or spelled the email address incorrectly.
The confirmation email may have been filtered into the nominee’s spam folder.
Glasgow 2014 will issue a reminder to let people know that the deadline has been extended to accommodate these incomplete applications. New nominations may also be received during this time, but must be completed and accepted by the nominee by the new closing date.
For more information about the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.glasgow2014.com/baton-relay