Ambitions to help nurture the next generation of Commonwealth sporting stars were unveiled today through a new official charity partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust (SCGYT).

The SCGYT invests in promising young athletes through offering them a range of support, including scholarships. Today’s announcement of an official partnership with Glasgow 2014 means sports fans will be able to play a key part in creating a golden future for young athletes simply by showing their support for Team Scotland at next summer’s Commonwealth Games.

Every purchase of Team Scotland merchandise will help support the work of the Youth Trust, with a proportion of all royalties from the Glasgow 2014 Team Scotland range going to the Trust.

Former gymnast and Commonwealth Gold Medallist, Steve Frew, helped launch the partnership at the Scottish School of Sport at Bellahouston today (Thursday 19 December) alongside Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) Chairman Michael Cavanagh and Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg.

Steve, who won Scotland’s first ever Commonwealth Games Gold medal in Gymnastics at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, joined pupils at the school which has produced Glasgow 2014 medal hopefuls such as Michael Jamieson and Kirsty Gilmour to raise awareness about the Trust.

To date, the SCGYT has raised funds largely through donations and fundraising activities at Commonwealth Games Scotland Annual Awards Dinners. Recently it has focused on making small awards to Scottish athletes in the lead up to the Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Trust has also provided funding for scholarship support of athletes from Commonwealth Games sports attendi
ng the University of Stirling and support of junior Commonwealth Championships for specific sports held in Scotland.

SCGYT now aims to expand its existing activities and create a Glasgow 2014 Fund to introduce a new Commonwealth-wide programme to bring young Commonwealth athletes and coaches to Scotland and to send young Scottish athletes and coaches to Commonwealth countries to build on relationships, understanding and co-operation developed in the 2014 Games and thus help to further developand perfect sporting abilities in the spirit of the Commonwealth movement.

The SCGYT Glasgow 2014 Fund will raise income in several ways including Team Scotland merchandising royalties and other Games related packages.

The partnership will provide a significant boost to the wide-ranging sporting legacy of Glasgow 2014, both in Scotland and across the Commonwealth.

Professor Steve Chapman, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University and Chair of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust, said:

Sport and athletes are at the centre of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and today’s announcement takes this commitment one step further. This charity partnership will deliver real benefits to the next generation of athletes through a range of fundraising activities. Every penny raised will be directed towards programmes and activities which will assist young athletes to progress to represent their country at future Games and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:

“The Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust has played a long time role in supporting Scottish athletes and this partnership takes things to the next level. When we bid for the Games we wanted to ensure that not only Scottish athletes had long term benefits and that the close relationship between Scotland and the athletes and coaches from across the Commonwealth could continue to flourish, as we have much to learn from each other. This exciting new initiative will make this aspiration a reality.”

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said:

“Glasgow 2014 is very proud to support the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust as one of our charity partners. Through the Commonwealth Games we share a common ambition to engage and empower young people to build an interest in and stay active in sport throughout their lives. Royalties from Glasgow 2014 sale of Team Scotland merchandise will go to the charity. So, by showing your support, you are actually giving your support to Team Scotland and its aspiring hopefuls.”

Steve Frew said:

“It’s great to know that by buying Team Scotland merchandise you are not only showing your support for our current Team, but for future generations inspired by the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. I would urge everyone to get behind the fundraising activities and help young athletes achieve their dreams.”

There will be a wide range of specially designed merchandise available including tee-shirts, sweatshirts and souvenirs. There is a limited range available now but this will expand as we get nearer to the games.

The full range is available online from the official Glasgow 2014 shop at http://www.shop.glasgow2014.com/.