With 400 days to go until the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Clydesdale Bank as part of their programme to support Team Scotland, has today (4 September) announced the launch of its ‘Athlete of the Month’ programme.

The scheme, which is being run in conjunction with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the 17 participating sports’ governing bodies, is open to all athletes who are eligible to represent Scotland at next year’s Games in Delhi.

Launching the scheme today Steve Reid, Retail Director of Clydesdale Bank said “The commitment and dedication of athletes in the build up to the Games is inspiring. As proud sponsors of Team Scotland we want to do everything we can to give them encouragement and recognition as Delhi approaches; our Athlete of the Month programme is one way of doing this.”

With the first winner being announced on October 3, exactly one year before the Delhi Games gets underway, each monthly winner will receive an athlete award of £500 toward training and competition costs. Following Delhi one lucky athlete will be named ‘Athlete of the Games’ and will receive a £1,000 award which will be presented at the Commonwealth Games Awards Dinner in November 2010. Two runners-up will also receive awards of £500 each.

Athletes will be nominated by their respective sports and will have demonstrated outstanding performances during the build-up to the Games.

Welcoming the scheme, Jon Doig Commonwealth Games Scotland CEO and Chef de Mission of Team Scotland for 2010 said: “It is teriffic that Clydesdale Bank is supporting this scheme which will ensure that athletes training and competing at this level will benefit from extra financial support to help them achieve their goals. This competition will be a great additional incentive to our athletes as they strive over the next twelve months to book their place on the team.”