Former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings today (1 October) launched an exclusive programme developed to inspire, coach and motivate Scotland’s next generation of star athletes.

‘Achieve 2014’ will mentor young sports stars of the future, using Glasgow 2014 as a learning experience and a springboard for their emerging talent.

Developed and managed by Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) and supported by Search Consultancy – Glasgow 2014’s official recruitment agency – the Achieve programme will identify promising young athletes from a range of different Commonwealth Games sports to give them the inside track on the Games.

The aspiring athletes will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Glasgow 2014 as part of a structured learning and development programme incorporating coaching and mentorship in preparation for their participation in future major sporting events.

The ultimate aim of the programme is to propel youngsters onto sporting success by preparing them for the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in St Lucia and the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

The group of 126 athletes and their coaches will not compete in Glasgow 2014, but will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of what it’s like to be involved, through a programme of training and mentoring, led by experienced practitioners from across Scottish sport.

The Achieve programme has a proven track record, having been first rolled out at the Delhi Games in 2010. Many of the 28 athletes involved have gone on to greater sporting success, with several tipped for selection for Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014, including long jumper Jade Nimmo who was announced as one of the first 27 athletes selected last week. Several of the coaches and mentors from the Achieve programme in Delhi will play a prominent role with Team Scotland next summer.

The recruitment process fo Achieve athletes, which will be done in conjunction with the governing bodies of sport, is due to be completed by the end of March 2014.

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The ‘Achieve 2014’ programme was officially launched at Scotstoun Stadium today alongside ‘Achieve 2014’ ambassador Gavin Hastings as well as athletes Jade Nimmo (Long Jump), Georgina Black (Weightlifting) and Michael Bremner (Hockey). Each of the athletes went through the Achieve programme at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Georgina and Michael are both hopeful of being selected alongside Jade for Glasgow 2014.

Gavin Hastings said: “We have a wealth of sporting talent in Scotland, and it’s vital that we harness this talent and give our young athletes every opportunity to achieve future sporting success for Scotland.

“The programme is already demonstrating that it is meeting its objectives with Jade being selected for Scotland’s 2014 Commonwealth Games team, and both Georgina and Michael pushing for selection as well.

“These young athletes are showing that we can raise our sporting levels through investing in talent and providing structured mentoring and support.

“It is fantastic to be an ambassador for the programme as it expands its reach into other sports and I really hope young athletes across the country exploit this opportunity and deliver future sporting success for Scotland on the world stage.”

‘Achieve 2014’ programme director Alan Lynn said: “‘Achieve 2014’ will give a group of young athletes and their coaches an exclusive behind the scenes experience of a multi-sport games.

“The inaugural programme in Delhi was a great success, with a number of athletes, coaches and mentors hoping to play a significant role for Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014.

“Thanks to the support of Search Consultancy, the continued investment and delivery of ‘Achieve 2014’ will further support our best young athletes and aspiring coaches at a key stage in their personal development. I believe the knowledge and experience they’ll gain as part of this programme will be the ideal preparation, enabling them to represent Scotland with distinction at future Commonwealth Games.”

CGS and Search Consultancy have worked in partnership to further develop and enhance the programme, ensuring it provides the best possible support to Scotland’s next generation of sporting stars.

Search managing director Simone Lockhart said: “As the official recruitment consultancy for Glasgow 2014, we are very excited to be involved in the development of ‘Achieve 2014’.

“We are working closely with Commonwealth Games Scotland to enhance the programme and ensure it provides the best possible experience to Scotland’s next generation of sporting stars.”