Commonwealth Games Scotland has today announced that Alice Aitchison, Agata Herbert, Jodey Hughes, Craig Carfray and Jason Epton have secured their places at this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Jodey Hughes from East Kilbride returns to the Team Scotland squad, having made her Commonwealth Games debut at Gold Coast 2018 placing 9th in the 58kg category. Jodey took silver in the 55kg event at the British Championships earlier this year and is aiming for medal success in the same category at this summer’s Games.

Commenting on her selection Jodey said “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something so much in my life. This has been all I’ve been thinking about for the last four years. I’ve literally dreamed about this moment over and over in my training, and to have achieved this goal feels surreal.

“The most wonderful thing about competing in Birmingham is that it is commuting distance for my Scottish family and friends. The competition is going to be amazing. This is my second Games, so I bring plenty of experience with me. I can’t wait and I’m going to just take every moment in.”

Jodey will be joined in Birmingham by Commonwealth Games debutants Alice Aitchison in the 71kg category, Agata Herbert in the 76kg and Craig Carfray in the 67kg events, who all claimed bronze in their respective categories at the British Championships in January.

Alice Aitchison, who trains in Broxburn said: “It’s hard to put into words the sense of pride I feel getting to represent Scotland on the platform in Birmingham this year. I can’t wait to get to the Games and making the team definitely makes up for the sacrifices I have made to be where I am.”

Agata Herbert, who is originally from Poland but now calls Edinburgh home said “The last two years brought unusual challenges for us all and it has personally been a huge test of commitment to persist with my training when gyms were not always available.

“Through perseverance and support from my coach and close network, I am thrilled to be representing Scotland – my adopted mother country – at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. I can’t wait to lift with the team on the big platform!”

Craig Carfray, who narrowly missed out on selection for Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 is delighted to make it third time lucky in the West Midlands this summer “It will be an honour to represent my county at the Commonwealth Games. I had the disappointment of missing out in Glasgow and Gold Coast, so I am absolutely buzzing to get on that platform and compete. This is my time to shine.”

Jason Epton, who represented Team Scotland at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games will compete in his first senior Games this summer in the 81kg category. Commenting on his selection he said “I am honoured to Scotland at the Games. But the hard graft doesn’t stop there though, and I am absolutely buzzing to get the chance to be on that platform, wear the Saltire and do my country proud!”

Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss said “I am thrilled for Agata, Alice, Jodey, Craig and Jason that they have secured their place at Birmingham 2022. Weightlifting is always an exciting and thrilling sport to watch, and it is great to see a mix of experience in the team. I am sure everyone in Scotland will get behind them when they take to the platform and cheer them on to success this summer.”

Weightlifting will take place at the NEC Precinct in Birmingham between 30^th July and 3^rd August 2022.

With 100 days to go until the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Siobhan Mackenzie has been announced as Team Scotland’s Official Parade Outfit Designer.

Contemporary Scottish fashion designer Mackenzie has created a bespoke tartan, which will form a key part of the Opening Ceremony outfit worn by athletes and team members at the Opening Ceremony at the newly developed Alexander Stadium on Thursday 28th July.

The Black Isle born designer launched her self-named label in 2014, in a year which included a stint as an alteration technician at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

She was named Best New Scottish Designer 2016 and, after co-creating the outfits worn by athletes at the Gold Coast in 2018, will now lead the design of this year’s ensemble.

The tartan is inspired by colours synonymous with both Team Scotland and Birmingham 2022, and will be produced by the Lochcarron Mill in Selkirk. The full outfits will be revealed in the build-up to this summer’s Games.

Mackenzie said: “I am delighted to be designing the outfits for Team Scotland’s athletes and team members this summer.

“We want to bring a modern twist to the traditional formalwear, showcasing the best of Scotland with all eyes on our athletes at the Opening Ceremony.

“Sustainability is an important part of my approach and something that Team Scotland were passionate about reflecting in the design, with all components manufactured locally and using traditional methods where possible.

“It’s great to finally reveal the tartan design and I am looking forward to showing everyone the full outfits as we approach the Games.”
Elinor Middlemiss, Chef de Mission for Team Scotland, said: “It is great for us to be working with a top-class talent in Siobhan.

“The Opening Ceremony is such a special occasion, bringing all Commonwealth countries together to kickstart the Games, and we want to make our athletes feel proud to represent their nation on the world stage.

“Our athletes panel have been involved from the outset in the design discussions and we hope the end result from everyone’s efforts is a design that achieves that.”

There was agony and ecstasy for Scotland at the Birmingham 2022 Wheelchair Basketball 3 x 3 Qualifiers at Inverclyde on 14 April, with the women booking their place in convincing style and the men missing out by the slenderest of margins.

Wheelchair Basketball 3 x 3 will make its Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham and the qualifying tournament, hosted by the National Sports Training Centre, saw Scotland’s women take on Wales in a best of three format, while the men faced Wales and Northern Ireland in a round-robin, with the top two teams then battling it out in a play-off final for a place at Birmingham 2022.

Played on a half court with only one basket, 3 x 3 is an exciting, fast-paced format with the winning team being the first to 21 point or the highest score after 10 minutes of play.

Scotland’s women’s side of Jude Hamer, Lynsey Speirs, Jess Whyte and Robyn Love were in control from the start and followed 21-4 and 17-3 wins over Wales with a perfect 21-0 victory in the final game to secure their place in Birmingham this summer.

Emotions were running high as captain Robyn Love summed up what it meant to have the chance to represent Scotland on the world stage: “Unbelievable! I’ve been to two Paralympic Games, I’ve been with GB at World Championships and won silver medals and won European medals for GB, and now I get to represent Scotland, wow!. It’s just something I thought I’d never be able to do and I’m just so grateful for this opportunity now with 3 x 3 in the Commonwealth Games. I think it’s really exciting, not only for Scotland but for wheelchair basketball as we bring in this new game.”

For the men, a tense opener against Northern Ireland saw the team of David Hird, Josh Manson, Finley Tonner and Ben Leitch come up just short 12-14. A 18-7 win over Wales in the second game however set up a rematch with Northern Ireland in the final, and what a final it turned out to be.

With only a few seconds left on the clock, Scotland levelled the score at 9-9 to send the game into overtime, which in the 3 x 3 format means the first to score 2 points takes the win. Buoyed by the boost to their chances, Scotland took the first basket, followed by one for Northern Ireland. It wasn’t to be for Scotland however with Northern Ireland the ones to find the all-important second basket to take the match 11-10 and the place at the Games.

Catch up with all the action here: IWBF Europe 3×3 Commonwealth Games Qualifiers – YouTube