Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) announced today the general team management appointed for the next Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man which will be held 7 to 13 September 2011.

Youth Team Scotland will be lead by General Team Manager, Vicky Strange supported by two deputy general team managers, a media officer and five medical staff.

The Isle of Man Youth Games will be the fourth since the inaugural Games held in Scotland in 2000. Since then, Scottish athletes have won over 100 medals at the three Games held in Edinburgh, Bendigo and Pune, with many going on to compete for the senior team at the Commonwealth Games and again win medals. Many stars of the Delhi Games including Hannah Miley, Robbie Renwick, Jen McIntosh, Kay Copland and Peter Kirkbride were all Youth Games medallists in Bendigo or Pune.

The Youth Games provide an excellent opportunity to prepare athletes and staff for the future by exposing them to a multi-sport Games competition, usually for the first time, and provide an exciting opportunity for our young athletes to get their first taste of Commonwealth competition.

There is a maximum of 1000 athlete places available for the Youth Games, so for the Isle of Man places have been allocated to all Commonwealth nations on a pro rata basis of their athlete numbers in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Scotland has been allocated 43 places, including a Rugby 7s squad. The sports which will compete in the Isle of Man are: Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Swimming and Rugby 7s. The age of athletes will range from 14 – 18 yrs (depending on the sport) and each sport is currently working with CGS to confirm selection policies, with the standards to be reached next year to gain a place on the team.

The sport team leaders and coaches will be appointed early in 2011.

Congratulating the team management, Jon Doig CGS Chief Executive said: “We were extremely impressed with the number and quality of applicants for these posts. We had a difficult job, but we are confident we have selected a strong, experienced team which will also give a number of people new to Commonwealth Games an important development opportunity.

General Team Manager, Vicky Strange added: “I am delighted to welcome them all to Youth Team Scotland and I am really looking forward to working with them over the coming months. It is now full steam ahead, as we focus on having a well prepared team ready to compete with distinction at the Youth Games in the Isle of Man in September.”

YOUTH TEAM SCOTLAND GENERAL TEAM MANAGEMENT

Deputy General Team Managers

Gail Niven – Stirling

Elinor Middlemiss – Edinburgh

Media Officer

Stuart McKenzie – Glasgow

Head of Medical Services / Head Doctor

Dr David Pugh – Blanefield

Team Doctor

Dr Stephen Boyce – East Kilbride

Head Physiotherapist

Lesley Dawson – Alva

Team Physiotherapists

Linda Hardy – Glasgow

Kirstin Carroll – Dundee

ENDS

Further details of the next Youth Games can be found on www.cyg2011.com