Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) can confirm the development of an innovative concept that could provide a solution for the 2026 Commonwealth Games without the need for significant public investment.
The Commonwealth Games is crucial to the health of Scottish sport; the four-yearly event is the pinnacle for several sports and represents the only chance for many athletes to compete for Scotland on a global stage.
The Games were due to be held in Australia in 2026 but Victoria, the host state, pulled out of the agreement last year.
Our priority is to ensure a Games takes place in 2026, and we are encouraged by the news that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) are in advanced discussions with other nations.
However if an alternative solution cannot be secured within the coming weeks, we are ready to explore our concept with the CGF and key partners in greater detail, with the aim of delivering a world class-sporting event in Scotland using a model that could be replicated across the Commonwealth for future editions.
A feasibility study was commissioned by Commonwealth Games Scotland in December 2023 to assess Scotland’s viability as a cost-effective alternative host, following the Commonwealth Games Federation’s decision to make available £100m to host nations for a 2026 Games as part of the Victoria settlement agreement.
We are satisfied that the concept developed could see a refreshed format for the Games, that would see it be delivered on time and on budget, providing significant benefit to the Scottish economy and a potential blueprint for a sustainable Games model of the future.
The concept includes:
- Significantly reduced budget costing £130-150 million, with no significant ask of public funds.
- Core sport programme of 10-13 sports.
- Use of existing sporting venues and accommodation options, rather than developing purpose-build facilities.
The concept would be funded by £100million from the Commonwealth Games Federation, with the balance through commercial income (ticketing, sponsorship, broadcasting etc).
Ian Reid CBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“We know how important the Commonwealth Games is for athletes, sports and supporters, and we remain concerned about the impact the ongoing uncertainty around 2026 is having on everyone concerned.
“It is vital that a Games takes place in this cycle, and we are hopeful that a positive outcome can be delivered through the CGF’s discussions with other nations.
“We also wanted to ensure that we had left no stone unturned in the search for solutions, should a viable alternative fail to materialise, but recognised the need for a model that did not rely on large public investment.
“Glasgow has a fantastic track record of delivering large sporting events within sensible budgets, with world class facilities and expertise already in place as a legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games a decade ago.
“We believe our concept provides the CGF with a viable, cost effective and exciting solution which importantly won’t involve significant sums of public funding.
“We look forward to discussing the concept further with the CGF, our member sports, athletes and wider partners.”
The Details
- The Games concept that has been developed can be delivered within two years and for a budget of £130-150million, with no significant ask of public funds.
- The Games would be funded by £100million from the Commonwealth Games Federation as part of the Victoria financial settlement towards the cost of the Games. The remaining £30-50million would be funded predominantly by commercial income (ticketing, sponsorship, broadcasting etc).
- The Games would be expected to deliver a Gross Value Added of £100-200 million, with additional spending from outside the UK of at least £100million.
- We are planning for an 11-day sporting competition in July/August 2026.
- The concept has been developed on a core offering of approximately 10 sports. The final number will be confirmed over the coming months and determined by several factors, primarily budget.
- The CGF mandate the inclusion of two compulsory sports – athletics and swimming – with the remaining sports determined in consultation with the CGF.
- Glasgow has a range of excellent facilities developed for Glasgow 2014 and other events. Some overlay may be required in venues (e.g. temporary stands, surface work etc) but there is no requirement for new facilities to be built.
- The concept assumes use of existing accommodation options, mainly hotels, rather than developing a purpose-built Games village.
Eight current and former Team Scotland athletes have been appointed to the Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) Athlete Advisory Panel, following the announcement of Jodey Hughes as Athlete Director in November last year.
Our Athlete Advisory Panel is key to ensuring CGS remains an athlete-centred organisation by representing athlete interests and providing advice on CGS policies and programmes, and the Team Scotland experience for athletes at the Commonwealth Games.
The Panel consists of a small group of current and former Team Scotland athletes, representing the interests and voice of their fellow athletes, serving as a platform for athletes to provide feedback, make suggestions and advocate for improvements on decisions and policies that will affect them.
The Panel is led by our Athlete Director, Jodey Hughes, who also sits on the CGS Board feeding in work done by the Panel, as well as the wider athlete viewpoint, to provide advice on policies, programmes and issues benefitting and impacting on athletes.
Kevin Moran will act as Vice Chair, bringing his experience from two Commonwealth Games in squash and as Director of Team Scotland’s Achieve Programme for young athletes and coaches at Birmingham 2022.
They are joined by Birmingham 2022 medallists Sarah Adlington and Shannon Archer, three times Commonwealth Games high jumper David Smith, badminton player Adam Hall and hockey’s Tommy Alexander with two Games appearances apiece and para-swimmer Ollie Carter and rugby player Shona Campbell who made their debuts at Birmingham 2022.
“I’m really excited and proud to announce the new athlete panel which includes my Vice Chair, Kevin Moran,” said Jodey.
“Thank you to all of our Scottish athletes that expressed an interest in being on the panel. We had so many talented athletes and former athletes who applied, which made the decision making extremely tough.
“My aim was to create a diverse panel, representing a range of sports, locations and backgrounds, to ensure we have the greatest representation of athletes that represent a modern Scotland.
“I will continue to build on the great work from Colin Gregor and the previous panel to ensure that our athletes’ opinion and voice is used as a pillar in Team’s Scotland’s decision making at Board level.”
Athlete Advisory Panel – read full profiles here
Jodey Hughes, Weightlifting – Chair
Kevin Moran, Squash – Vice Chair
Sarah Adlington, Judo
Tommy Alexander, Hockey
Shannon Archer, Gymnastics
Shona Campbell, Rugby
Ollie Carter, Swimming
Adam Hall, Badminton
David Smith, Athletics
Commonwealth Games Scotland is looking for 6-8 individuals to join our Athlete Advisory Panel, who are keen to have their voice heard and have an impact on key decisions and policies that directly affect Team Scotland athletes.
This is a fantastic role to help shape the future of Team Scotland and ensure that athletes’ views are represented at the heart of every decision.
As an Athlete Representative on the panel, you will play an important and active role in representing the best interests of your sport and represent a portfolio of other sports, giving you an opportunity to connect with sports and teammates across the Team Scotland network.
The Role:
- We will work together as a team to ensure that as an athlete, YOUR VOICE is heard and YOUR RIGHTS are respected.
- Influence positive change within Team Scotland.
- Learn about your portfolio of sports and the Scottish high-performance sport system to better understand and represent your interests and those of your teammates.
- Utilise online presence to ensure the greatest reach across all of our sports.
- Meet and work with other Athlete Representatives to exchange ideas, network, and strengthen the athlete voice.
To apply for the position, you must be a current athlete who competed for Team Scotland at Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022 or Trinbago 2023 or, if you are a retired athlete, experience of competing at a past Commonwealth Games or Olympics is required. You must be actively involved in Scottish sport.
The closing date for applications is midday 7th February 2024.
Applications should be sent to Jodey Hughes, CGS Athlete Director: athletedirector@teamscotland.scot.
Full details are in the Recruitment Pack which can be found on our Vacancies Page
Commonwealth Games Scotland presents the opportunity to tender to provide accountancy services to the organisation, with an anticipated start date of April 2024 on a rolling annual basis.
For full tender along with the scope of requirements, please download the information document below. If you should be interested and wish to discuss, please contact the Corporate Services Manager, Adrienne Sunderland, at: Commonwealth Games Scotland Ltd, Airthrey Castle, University of Stirling FK9 4LA or via telephone on 07787 151024.
Tenders should be submitted electronically to adrienne.sunderland@teamscotland.scot by 1200 hours on 9 February 2024. Late proposals will not be considered.
Commonwealth Games Scotland is saddened to hear of the death of CGS Life Member George Hunter OBE at the age of 97 on 20 December 2023. George was a key leadership figure in Scottish sport in both his own sport of rowing and in the wider Commonwealth Games movement. George served as a delegate from rowing on the Council and then as an office bearer on the CGS Board for over 37 years, joining in 1962. He served five four year terms as Treasurer raising and managing funds to send teams to the Games, before becoming CGS Hon Secretary for six further consecutive terms between 1979 and 1999, running the business of the Association from his home, as was required in the time before staff were employed.
During that period he acted as Assistant Team Manager for Scottish Games teams from 1966 in Jamaica through to 1990 in New Zealand. George was also instrumental in helping bring and deliver the Games to Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986, the latter Games seeing rowing return to the Games programme as an optional sport .
Reflecting on his immense contribution, CGS CEO Jon Doig OBE said “George was one of the unsung heroes of Scottish sport at a time when it was amateur and totally reliant on volunteers. He gave so much of his personal time to both rowing and the Games for the benefit of others. I had the pleasure of meeting with him as a Life Member and remember fondly his passion for the Games, his quick wit and trademark bowler hat.”
Everyone at Commonwealth Games Scotland would like to congratulate Elinor Middlemiss, who has been awarded an MBE for services to sport.
Scotland’s highest capped female Badminton player of all-time, Elinor represented Team Scotland at five Commonwealth Games winning a Women’s Doubles bronze medal with Sandra Watt in 1998 and Team bronze in 2002.
She led Team Scotland to our best medal tally at a Games outside Scotland last year as Chef de Mission for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and has been appointed Chef for the 2026 Games.
She currently serves as Commonwealth Games Scotland’s Head of Games Operations and had previously served as Deputy Chef de Mission at both Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.
When appointed to the Chef de Mission role for Birmingham 2022, she became the first woman in this post since the Games began in 1930, and the first former Commonwealth Games athlete to lead the Scottish team since Sir Peter Heatly in 1978.
Elinor said: “I am delighted to receive this title.
“It has been an honour to represent Scotland, both as an athlete and off the court.
“Everything at Commonwealth Games Scotland is a team effort, and this recognition is the result of the collective hard work of team-mates and colleagues down the years.”
We would also like to congratulate Bob Christie, Lead Coach for our all-conquering Para Lawn Bowls team for Birmingham 2022, and Stuart Hogg, who featured for Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014, who have also both been awarded MBEs.
Former Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Michael Cavanagh OBE, has been awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Order of Merit for significant contribution to the Commonwealth Sport movement. Recognised at the Commonwealth Games Federation’s General Assembly last month, he was presented with his award by Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, at the Scottish Sports Awards on 7 December.
Reflecting, Michael said “I’m very pleased and proud to have been recognised for my contribution to Commonwealth Sport and to be awarded the Commonwealth Order of Merit, It was very special to be awarded it officially at the Scottish Sports Awards in Glasgow.
“The Commonwealth Games has been a significant part of my life, starting with me being taken to see the Opening Ceremony of the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, which inspired me to try to become a Team Scotland athlete in my sport of wrestling, which I succeeded in achieving for the 1982 Games in Brisbane.
“Everyone involved in the planning and delivery of the 2014 Games can be very proud of what was achieved and I am certainly proud to have played my part in delivering the ‘Best Games Ever’, which also included the best medal performance by Team Scotland at a Commonwealth Games.
“I feel privileged to have had so many fantastic experiences by being involved in sport and the Commonwealth Games for more than 50 years and want to thank all who have supported me along the way, particularly my family.”
Congratulating Michael, Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of CGS said: “We are absolutely delighted that Michael has been awarded the Commonwealth Order of Merit. He has given so much to sport in Scotland and the Commonwealth and has now been rightly recognised for his leadership and commitment to the Games movement.
“In his role as CGS Chair, Michael made a significant contribution not only to Team Scotland’s unprecedented success at Glasgow 2014, but to the overall delivery of a Games that will live long in the memory.”
Michael has given over 40 years of service to sport and the Commonwealth movement, including as a Games athlete, Team Manager, Coach and CGS Board Member.
Awarded an OBE for service to sport and the Commonwealth Games movement in 2017, Michael was appointed a CGS life member in 2023 in recognition of his service to Commonwealth sport in Scotland. He currently serves on the Board of the Team Scotland Youth Trust, a registered charity that supports talented young Scottish athletes through financial awards and educational experiences.
After becoming a CGS Board Director in 2003, Michael was elected Chair in 2007, just 20 days after the bid to host the Glasgow Games was won. He remained in post until 2015, completing the maximum two terms, leading the organisation’s preparations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. As CGS Chair he played a key role on the Board of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and was Chair of their Sport Advisory Group
Michael also managed British teams at World Wrestling Championships and was the 2004 Olympic Wrestling Team Manager. He is a former President of the Scottish Wrestling Association and a former director of the British Wrestling Association Ltd.
Commonwealth Games Scotland is delighted to welcome Jodey Hughes to its Board as Athlete Director.
Well known to CGS, having represented Team Scotland in Weightlifting at two Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, Jodey brings a wealth of experience leading high performance teams and projects in her professional career.
Inspired to take up weightlifting from watching the Glasgow 2014 Games, just four years later Jodey was part of Team Scotland in Gold Coast, finishing 9th in the 58kg category.
She competed at her second Games at Birmingham 2022 and is keen to play a part in ensuring the positive environment and support she experienced continues for future athletes.
Currently Deputy Head of Campaigns and Remissions at HMRC, Jodey has more than a decade’s experience in leadership and project delivery which will serve her well in her position on the Board and in recruiting and leading the Athlete Advisory Panel, which feeds into decision making and planning for future Games.
Jodey said: “I am honoured to be selected as the Athlete Director for Commonwealth Games Scotland.
“Being part of Team Scotland as an athlete has been one of the best things that has happened to me, and I am highly motivated to give back.
“I want to ensure all voices are heard and represented – its something I do regularly in my professional role and want to use my skills to support Team Scotland, our sports and athletes.
“There’s no doubt that we’re in a period of real uncertainty at the moment, which is all the more reason to have the athlete’s voice at the heart of our strategy development moving forward.
“I’m looking forward to taking the time to understand the needs of all sports under the Team Scotland umbrella and the complexities of individuals within teams to help have their interests at the forefront of the board’s decision-making.”
Jodey replaces Colin Gregor, who served two terms since joining the Board in 2015. He will remain as the CGF European Athlete Representative.
He said: “It’s been a privilege to serve on the Board over the past eight years.
“I’ve seen first hand the work that goes into supporting athletes and sports to deliver at the Games, and had the chance to shape the aspects of preparation that make a difference to athletes.
“Being involved in the Board has led to many great experiences, and I’ll leave with great memories of my time as Athlete Director.
“Personally it was a real help in my personal development, especially in the transition from retirement. I know how challenging that period in an athlete’s life is – everything changes overnight – your focus, purpose, routine – and it can be really difficult to manage.
“This role was a new experience for me to use the skills I had developed in a different context, and gave me the confidence to push on when I finished playing.
“The Athlete Director role and Athlete Advisory Panel are great opportunities for current and recently retired athletes to get involved with, and hopefully Jodey finds the role to be as fulfilling as I did.
“I’ve enjoyed catching up with her in the past few days and am excited to see what she achieves in the role.”
CGS would also like to thank Susie Crawford, who has stepped down from the Board following eight years as Marketing Director. Susie made a big contribution to the organisation in that time, and we wish her well in her future work.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Honorary Life President, David Webster OBE at the age of 95.
Connected with Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) since 1957, including terms as Vice-Chair (1987-90) and Chair (1990-95), he made an immense contribution to sport and the Commonwealth Games movement in Scotland and beyond. His involvement with CGS also saw him take on team roles at Commonwealth Games including as General Team Manager at Victoria 1994 and leading the team as Chef de Mission at Kuala Lumpur 1998.
Former Chair at Weightlifting Scotland, he served for many years as Scottish National Weightlifting Coach and worked at numerous World, European and Commonwealth Championships as a technical official, referee, or coach. He was also an official in bodybuilding and was a founding member of the National Amateur Bodybuilding Association.
In the 1960s, David began promoting the Highland Games internationally as a way to bring tourists to Scotland and helped to revive some of the traditional Scottish sports such as stone-lifting and caber-tossing. He founded the World Highland Games Heavy Events Championships in 1980, an annual event which has now been held across the world including Scotland, USA, Canada, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, France and the Netherlands.
He was awarded an OBE in 1995 for service to sport.
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Honorary Life President, David Webster OBE.
“He was a real inspiration to all who met him and a driving force in the worlds of weightlifting, bodybuilding and Highland Games. Commonwealth Games Scotland owes him a debt of gratitude for over 65 years’ service in various roles, including as Chair, as well as in team roles at several Games.
“Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time, and we share their pride in all he has achieved.”
We’re looking for an Athlete Director who is passionate about Scottish sport, Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Games movement to play a central role in the governance and decision-making of the organisation, shape our strategy and represent athlete interests in CGS policies and programmes.
We really value having positive athlete input and experience at the centre of what we do, which is why the role of Athlete Director is so important. While we face uncertainty over host nations over the coming cycles as we approach the Games centenary in 2030, we see a healthy and successful future for the Games and know that Scotland and its athletes will have a key part to play in delivering this vision.
The role requires a strong leader with good communication skills, the ability to work collectively with key stakeholder groups and an understanding of commitment to Board decision-making. You will also need to have empathy for, and understanding of, the needs of high-performance athletes from across our member sports. You will learn new skills and also be charged with recruiting and leading an Athlete Advisory Panel to support your efforts in representing the collective interests of a wide range of athletes.
To apply for the position, you must be a current or retired athlete who competed for Team Scotland at either the Gold Coast 2018 or the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Find out more about the role and application process by downloading the recruitment pack on our vacancies page.
To apply for this role, please email info@teamscotland.scot with your CV and supporting information (e.g. cover letter, video, voice note), demonstrating how you will impact positively on CGS as Athlete Director.
Closing date for applications is midday on Monday 18th September.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview in Stirling, with interviews expected to take place w/c 2nd October.
The successful candidate will be invited to join the next CGS Board meeting on 9th November 2023.
Any enquiries regarding the role should be sent to Jon Doig, CEO: jon.doig@teamscotland.scot, 01786 466 480