With the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly taking place in Auckland, New Zealand next month, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is pleased to confirm its support for both Louise Martin CBE and Michael Cavanagh, who the organisation has nominated for the posts of CGF President and Vice President respectively.

Paul Bush, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman said: “This is one of the most important General Assemblies for the Commonwealth Games movement in many years, with several key issues to be discussed, as well as important Board elections to be held.

“CGS is delighted to be supporting Louise and Michael with nominations for senior CGF Board roles. They have both made significant contributions to the Commonwealth Games, here in Scotland and internationally and we are confident that they can help successfully steer the organisation’s future at this critical time in its development.”

Louise Martin CBE has unveiled her election manifesto and vision for the CGF called UnlockingOur Potential. Martin, who is a CGF Executive Board Member and Honorary Secretary, promises a new era of leadership in order to deliver enhanced revenues to all 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and grow the status and profile of the Games.

Unlocking Our Potential outlines how Martin will work collaboratively with all CGAs, International Federations, Organising Committees and other Commonwealth stakeholders to bring change to the Movement. Her Manifesto pledges include:

Working with the executive team to secure a minimum of four CGF headline partners by 2018
Protecting CGA Development Grants through the Host City Contract
Establishing a Youth Games Trust to enable every CGA to participate in the Youth Games
Helping CGAs to deliver their strategic plans through a bespoke CGF support programme
Martin, who was Vice Chair of the Organising Committee of Glasgow 2014, will also make it a priority to ensure that the best Commonwealth athletes want to compete in the Games, that they become strong advocates for the competition and that the CGF has a flagship event for which multiple countries want to bid.

Speaking about her candidacy, Louise Martin said: “From my earliest days competing as an athlete to my time serving the CGF Executive board, the Commonwealth sporting family has had a profound effect on my life. Standing for election as the next President of the CGF is my chance to give something back to the movement that means so much to me. Now is the time to ensure progress is delivered in an open and transparent way and that the views of the CGAs are fully reflected in the running of the CGF.

“I believe that the time is right for a new style of leadership to ensure that together we can fully unlock our potential and deliver on the needs of CGAs and our wider partners, especially in terms of maximising commercial opportunities. If we get this right, we can deliver enhanced revenues to support every CGA as well as Commonwealth sports development through greater investment.

“There is also much more we can do to grow the profile of our great sporting movement across the world to ensure that its unique identity is valued and our Games attract the best Commonwealth athletes, sponsors and, critically, future host cities. As someone with a proven track record of collaboration and delivery, as well as dedication and passion for our movement, I believe I am the right person to guide the CGF through the next stage of its Commonwealth journey and unlock the immense potential of our unique sporting movement.”

Michael Cavanagh, Immediate Past Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland and a former Glasgow 2014 Board Member, has been nominated by CGS for one of three Vice President positions.

Michael led CGS for an eight year period (2007-15), as Scotland prepared to host the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and oversaw Team Scotland’s preparations for its most successful Games ever, winning 53 medals including 19 gold. He played an active role as a Board member on the Organising Committee over its seven year tenure and specifically was Chairman of the Glasgow 2014 Sports Advisory Group.

Given his recent experience with the Commonwealth Games movement, helping to shape the delivery of the ‘best Games ever’ and his background as a competitor, coach, sport team manager and assistant general team manager with Scotland, Michael is committed to helping drive the change which is required to ensure that the CGF continues to grow and flourish in the increasingly crowded world of multi-sport events.

Talking about his own candidacy Michael Cavanagh said: “I have attended the CGF General Assembly as a delegate since 2008 and have been a strong advocate for change. Given my proven track record as Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland and as an effective Board member of Glasgow 2014, I feel well placed to contribute to the modernisation agenda of CGF as a member of the Executive Board. I am fully committed to supporting colleagues to complete the restructure of CGF and its operations and I have the skills and experience to lead on any of the organisation’s three priority business areas – the Games, Sport and Development.

“After the success of the Glasgow Games, I am excited at just what can be achieved by the CGF if it can respond to the changing environment of international sport. Recognising that the 71 member Commonwealth Games Associations are the heart of the organisation is, I believe, key to this success and I would relish the opportunity to play my part on the CGF team.”

Louise Martin’s Manifesto, Unlocking Our Potential, can be downloaded here.

Download: Louise Martin Manifesto