Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is seeking to partner with a high-calibre master licensee to elevate the Team Scotland brand across the 2026 Commonwealth Games cycle.

The chosen partner will deliver the merchandise and licensing strategy for Team Scotland from appointment until the end of 2026, with the possibility of extension to cover the 2030 Commonwealth Games cycle.

We are looking for a partner who shares our values and passion for Scottish sport, and who wants to contribute to the success of Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Key requirements include:

• Design, source and sample an accessible and sustainable merchandise range
• Attract and manage valuable sub-licensees, particularly Scottish-based
• Design and operate an online store and ensure fulfilment to domestic and international customers
• Deliver a detailed business plan including mid and high-level revenue forecasts
• Provide infrastructure and staff to operate a pop-up retail unit at Glasgow 2026, likely to be accommodated within Team Scotland House

Completed submissions should be returned by midday on Monday 1st December. For full submission requirements and details please CLICK HERE.

DYNAMIK, a leading sports surfacing specialists, has been announced as an Official Supporter of Team Scotland and an Official Provider of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The partnership will see DYNAMIK deliver world-class sports flooring, equipment and services across multiple venues as the Games return to Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026.

The announcement comes as phase one of redevelopment work at Scotstoun Stadium is completed with the installation of a new MONDO athletics track, marking a major milestone in venue preparation. DYNAMIK will also supply temporary 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, and Netball flooring for the Games next summer.

Glasgow 2026 will be the biggest sporting event in the UK next year, bringing together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports and six Para sports, with more than 200 medals to be won in 50 medal sessions.

The brand-new blue, state-of-the-art MONDO track, supplied and installed by DYNAMIK, will be the stage for the Athletics programme at Scotstoun Stadium, hosting six days of thrilling Athletics and Para Athletics action starts on Monday 27 July. The programme will see some of the biggest names take to the track and field, with the competition schedule featuring 59 medal moments across 12 sessions, which includes the return of the iconic Commonwealth Mile, back for the first time since 1966.

The second phase of works will begin in April 2026 when final lines will be painted on the track and work on the in-field will commence.

Craig Jack, Managing Director at DYNAMIK, said: “DYNAMIK is incredibly proud to play a part in preparing Glasgow for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The new track represents the very best in performance, giving athletes a surface of the highest standard. As an Official Provider, we are excited not only to deliver a world-class track but also to deliver 3X3 Basketball courts, Netball courts and equipment, supporting sporting excellence and leaving lasting community benefits at Scotstoun Stadium.”

Jon Doig OBE, CEO of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “We are delighted to welcome DYNAMIK as a supporter of Team Scotland, and look forward to seeing our Scottish athletes create unforgettable moments on the track and courts next summer.”

Phil Batty OBE, CEO, Glasgow 2026 said: “DYNAMIK shares our passion for sport and it’s fantastic to welcome them on board as an official provider for Glasgow 2026. The team will provide world-class flooring for the Commonwealth’s leading athletes across Athletics, Para-Athletics, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball and Netball.

“It’s great to that work has already begun at pace, with the first phase complete and then next year, we’re on the home straight with final updates to the track and the installation of our temporary courts before they welcome an electric atmosphere. The track at Scotstoun Stadium is gift to the city and will become a much-loved community asset.”

On behalf of Chair Ian Reid CBE and the Board, we are delighted to announce Joanne Deponio, Rob Shorthouse and Professor Gayle McPherson will join the Commonwealth Games Scotland Board as Non-Executive Directors for the 2025–2027 term. 

Joanne Deponio has been appointed as Director for Governance. She is currently Director of Host Relations for the delivery company for UEFA EURO 2028, having played a leading role in the tournament from the bid stage onwards. In her current role, she provides senior leadership to the company, its Board and partners on strategic and operational governance, including compliance with the Code for Sport Governance. Joanne was responsible for establishing the governance structures for UK&I 2028 Ltd, the new company created to deliver the tournament across the UK and Ireland. This includes setting up delivery structures and ensuring integration with partner governance frameworks. 

Joanne brings over 25 years’ experience in strategic planning, risk management and programme management for major events, including multi-sport Games. Her previous roles include management positions with EventScotland, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Glasgow Life. She played key roles in delivering the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 European Championships and chaired the Finance and Risk Committee for the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships. 

Rob Shorthouse has been appointed as Director for Public Relations and Communications. He is currently Strategy and Communications Director for the English Schools Foundation, one of the largest school groups in Asia. Earlier in his career, he played a leading role in Glasgow’s successful bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He has held senior communications, strategy and consulting roles across the UK, Hong Kong and the Middle East, with a background in government and political campaigns. As Managing Director at Teneo Strategy, he provided strategic counsel to a high-profile government account in Abu Dhabi. Prior to that, as Partner and Head of Asia-Pacific at Consulum, he led the successful ‘Relaunch Hong Kong’ campaign. 

Rob has also served as Client and Communications Director for the ScotRail Alliance and was Director of Communications for the ‘Better Together’ campaign during the Scottish Independence Referendum. He has advised the Scottish First Minister, worked in the UK Prime Minister’s media team and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and held senior communications roles with Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Football Association. 

Professor Gayle McPherson has been appointed as Director for Community Engagement and Legacy. She is Professor of Events and Cultural Policy at the University of the West of Scotland, where she is Director of the Research Centre for Culture, Sport and Events, which she established in 2018. She was a past member of the Board of Creative Scotland and served as Legacy and Cultural Adviser to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Paisley’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid. She is currently a member of the European Cultural Parliament and the British Council of Scotland Advisory Group. 

Gayle’s international research background spans the legacy of events, cultural policy, sport and disability, public value, public policy and cultural diplomacy. She has acted as an advisor to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Scottish and UK Governments, local authorities and national and international sport organisations including Scottish Disability Sport and IPC Canada. Her work has focused on embedding community engagement at the heart of Games, events and festivals. She is currently setting up a research legacy network to inform Commonwealth Games policy and the social impact of Glasgow 2026. She recently completed an evaluation of equality, diversity and inclusion in festivals and events, producing a playbook that has been adopted by VisitScotland and Glasgow City Council, and a toolkit to maximise the social value of community events. She led a research team at the Glasgow 2014 Games, investigating the impact and legacy of the Games on volunteers and attitudes to disability. In 2024, with support from Spirit of 2012, she produced new research on the impact of Glasgow 2014, 10 years on. 

MEET THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND BOARD

On Thursday 26 June, Paul Bush OBE, past Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling for his outstanding contribution to sport and to the events industry in the country.

Paul led Commonwealth Games Scotland through two highly successful Games cycles in his eight-year tenure as Chair, with Team Scotland’s most successful overseas Games to date at Gold Coast 2018 and best ever Games outside Scotland at Birmingham 2022. He recently retired from his role as Director of Events for VisitScotland where he played a vital role in bringing major spectacles including the 2018 European Championships, the Ryder Cup and UEFA Euro 2020 to Scotland.

Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “’We congratulate Paul on this recognition for his contribution to sport and beyond.  He has made a such an impact across many different sectors and this acknowledgement of his achievements is richly deserved.”

Also receiving honorary degrees during Summer Graduation were former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid and dedicated volunteer Lynda Morrison.

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “Summer graduation is always a special highlight in the university calendar, and we are delighted that those celebrating are joined by four inspiring role models.

“Each of our honorary graduands has made a lasting impact in their fields, contributing in powerful and enduring ways to society. We are proud to recognise their achievements and know that they will be outstanding ambassadors for the University.”

Jen Barsby and Nigel Holl have been re-appointed to the Commonwealth Games Scotland Board of Directors following a members vote at the 2025 AGM on the evening of Monday 2nd June.

Jen was elected to the CGS Board in 2017 and is currently the Board lead for Equality. She joined Scottish Disability Sport as Opportunities and Equality Manager in July 2013, a role she held until 2022 when she took on the role of Performance Development Manager. Through both roles she has gained a wealth of experience in Para Sport, Safeguarding and Equality as well as experience improving governance across SDS member branches.

Jen is on the Boccia UK Board and has also served on the board of the Team Scotland Youth Trust. She was the General Team Manager for Accommodation and Village for Team Scotland at the Gold Coast 2018 Games. Previously she was an Active Schools Co-ordinator and a Disability Development Officer.

Nigel starts a second term on the CGS Board, having first been elected in May 2021. He currently leads the Board Sub-Committee for Selection, with policies across all sports being finalised for Glasgow 2026.

Nigel has a wealth of experience at executive leadership, board governance and performance director level in Scottish and UK sport. He is the Executive Performance Director for British Curling, and also serves on the Scottish Cycling Board of Directors. He was appointed to the Board of UK Sports Institute as their performance specialist in December 2023.

We would like to extend our congratulations to Jennifer and Nigel, and our thanks to the other nominees who stood for election.

We would also like to thank Katie Sadleir CNZM, CEO at Commonwealth Sport and Jade Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer at Glasgow 2026 for their informative presentations and engagement with our member sports.

Everyone at Commonwealth Games Scotland was saddened to learn of the passing of athletics legend Lachie Stewart on May 31 at the age of 81.

Competing at the 1966, 1970 and 1974 Commonwealth Games for Scotland, he is best remembered for his iconic 10,000m victory in front of a home crowd at Edinburgh 1970. Timing his finish perfectly he pulled away from the field down the home straight and into Scottish sporting history.

He was a prolific medal winner at Scottish national championships and represented Great Britain on several occasions, including the Munich 1972 Olympic Games.

He was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) presents the opportunity for a high calibre sports clothing brand to partner with the organisation to elevate the Team Scotland brand and profile for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games is a large multi-sport event, attracting athletes from 74 nations, representing a third of the world’s population. Uniquely, the Games operates a fully integrated para-sport competition and has become known as ‘The Friendly Games’ – a celebration of commonality and diversity as well as top class sport.

The next Commonwealth Games takes place in July 2026, in Glasgow, with Team Scotland in the spotlight as host nation and athletes competing across a sports programme of 10 sports, including six fully integrated Para sports.

CGS invites a qualified sports clothing manufacturer to tender for the right to supply a brand that can provide a quality product and a high level of customer service that aligns with the values and performance standards of Team Scotland. For full tender along with the scope of requirements, please click here.

If you should be interested and wish to discuss, please contact the Head of Games Operations, Elinor Middlemiss (elinor.middlemiss@teamscotland.scot).

Completed tender documents should be returned to CGS by 17:00 on Thursday 28th November 2024.

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has secured support from Scottish and UK governments for its proposed plan for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  

In April, CGS revealed details of an innovative, cost-effective and sustainable concept for the Games that could see a scaled back, but high-quality Games being delivered without the need for public funding, utilising existing facilities in the city.

Since then, CGS has further developed plans with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and other stakeholders – including both the Scottish and UK governments – to ensure that the Commonwealth Games’ high standard of competition can be achieved within the designated budget.

CGS welcomes the support and commitment from both governments which ensures that a 2026 Games in Glasgow has taken a significant step forward to being realised. CGS will now finalise discussions with wider Games stakeholders over the coming weeks and a formal announcement will follow on successful conclusion of the formal process.

Ian Reid CBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “Today Glasgow 2026 is one step closer to becoming a reality and we are delighted that both the Scottish and UK governments have backed our proposal.

“We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF’s strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, whilst ensuring that public funds are not required. Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain. 

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together. I would like to thank both the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their confidence and financial contributions to the project, which have ensured that the Games can continue, that public funds will not be required and which delivers a significant economic boost to the City of Glasgow and to Scotland.”

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of swimming great David Wilkie MBE on 22 May, at the age of 70, following a battle with cancer.

Born in Sri Lanka, where his Scottish parents were stationed at the time, David is the only person to have held British, American, Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic swimming titles at the same time. He won 200m Breaststroke bronze for Scotland at the Edinburgh 1970 Commonwealth Games at the age of 16 and announced himself on the global stage with silver in the same event at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

Two gold and a silver at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games was followed by his greatest triumph as he won Olympic gold in world record time at Monteral 1976 in the 200m Breaststroke, also taking silver in the 100m event.

Also a three time World champion and twice European champion, David was European Swimmer of the Year three times and was named British Sports Personality of the Year in 1975. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1982 and in 2002 was one of the inaugural inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of Scotland’s sporting greats in David Wilkie.  

“He was an inspiration to so many and his record on the international stage was outstanding.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time, and we share their pride in all he achieved.” 

Applications are now open for the 2024-25 Commonwealth Women’s Leadership Programme, which aims to support 15 women from the Commonwealth on their personal development journeys to being strong role models, clarifying their leadership ambitions and recognising their leadership strengths. 

The programme, running from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025, is open to all female leaders, currently working in or supporting sport, who have ambitions to hold a National Sport Federation or Commonwealth Games Association leadership role. Support is offered primarily through scholarships and mentoring with successful participants receiving a £5000 scholarship to support them on their development pathway. International mentors will be recruited and deployed to help the participants create professional development plans, undertake reflection, and grow as leaders.  

Applications must be submitted by 15^th June 2024 and all applications must include a letter of endorsement from Commonwealth Games Scotland, so get in touch at: info@teamscotland.scot if you want to apply or have any questions. The full information booklet and application form are at the bottom of this page. 

Kareena Cuthbert, Team Scotland hockey player at the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, participated in the programme in 2022 and has shared her experience for anyone considering applying: 

What made you apply for the Commonwealth Women’s Leadership programme? 

It came at a good time for me as I was contemplating a transition in career. I’m a physiotherapist by trade but, having started to get more involved in sport leadership through my ambassadorial role at Scottish Hockey, I wanted to understand a bit more about how that side of sport functioned and was just starting to build my network. Then obviously the financial support – I was needing to work and develop an alternative career path at the same time, so that support was quite significant as well. The opportunity came at the perfect time. 

What were the benefits of going through the programme? 

I would say it was extremely beneficial for me, the process of looking at my short-term and long-term plan and sitting down with a mentor. Breaking down where my weaknesses were, where I needed to develop, where I wanted to go and setting tangible goals is something that I already kind of did mentally. But writing it down and really thinking about ticking things off and working towards the end goal was really effective for me to see clearly the areas I needed to develop. Having a local mentor also made me accountable to actually achieving these things. 

How are you using what you learned? 

Two years on and I now have two board director positions (Scottish Hockey and GB Hockey) and a new job as Head of Performance at Bowls Scotland, so I’ve taken fairly big leaps. 

I would say higher level thinking is what I’ve developed from it, rather than getting stuck in just the here and the now. Working in sport is new to me and I’ve learned to every so often sit back and reflect. ‘Where am I at? Where do I need to go to get what I’m working on to that next level?’ It’s also helped with my confidence, particularly through keeping up that connection with my mentor. It’s always nice to have a personal champion in the background going, ‘yes, go for that, you can do it.’ 

What advice would you give to someone considering applying this year? 

I would absolutely encourage them. The benefits of the mentor, the reflection, the planning and the financial support, there’s four big ticks in boxes there. It’s really not that time consuming. It’s more about the external planning for the goals and targets that you want to meet, rather than having lots of reports or homework to do. Where are you going next? What’s going to get you to the next step or the next hurdle? That’s kind of how it played out for me. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone, whether they are in a transitional period or just wanting to evaluate where they’re at and where they can go.