As Team Scotland look toward an exciting home Games next summer, preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are building momentum with seven General Team Management posts now confirmed.
Following the appointment of Elinor Middlemiss MBE as Chef de Mission and Chris Purdie as Deputy Chef de Mission, a highly accomplished group of professionals have been appointed to lead the key areas of operational activity. Four of the five announced today were involved in Team Scotland’s best-ever Games outside Scotland at Birmingham 2022 and all bring extensive experience in elite sport.
Danny Cockroft, Team Services Manager at CGS, and Lynsey Hamilton, Games Services Manager for Team GB, take on General Team Manager roles.
Part of the General Team Management at Birmingham 2022, Danny was also Deputy Chef de Mission at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, HQ Coordinator for the GB Students delegation at the Lake Placid 2023 and Torino 2025 Winter World University Games, and Village Support for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Lynsey has had varied roles at past Commonwealth Games from Village Operations at Glasgow 2014 to Cycling Team Manager at Gold Cost 2018 and Team Scotland HQ for Birmingham 2022. She has also been involved in Summer and Winter Olympics with Team GB since 2012, most recently as Arrivals & Departures Manager for the Tokyo, Beijing and Paris Olympic Games.
Dr Carrie McCrea is named as Chief Medical Officer, her third Games with Team Scotland, including as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Birmingham 2022. She was also a member of the Team GB medical team at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she held the roles of Sport and Exercise Medical Doctor and Mental Health Lead. Her current roles also include providing performance medical support in elite motorsport, including Formula One, and she is a Sports and Exercise Medicine Doctor at the sportscotland Institute of Sport.
Jon Twynham will head up the physiotherapy team following Team Physiotherapist and Senior Team Physiotherapist roles at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 respectively. His first involvement with Team Scotland was as part of the medical team for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas. He is currently a lead physiotherapist for Swimming and Triathlon at the sportscotland Institute of Sport, was part of the Team GB medical team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and worked as Swimming Physiotherapist for Team GB at Paris 2024.
Mark Snell, Head of Media at CGS, will continue that role into Glasgow 2026. He joined CGS in May 2025 from Topgolf UK where he was responsible for brand communication strategy, campaign planning and activations. He has a background in football with communications roles at the Scottish Football Association and Arsenal Football Club, as well as managing key agency accounts, including UEFA Champions League and Tennis Scotland.
Welcoming the appointments, Jon Doig, CGS Chief Executive said: “I am delighted to have brought together such a strong team of professionals to lead Team Scotland, with several staff stepping into new roles for 2026. This will bring the expertise, experience, and enthusiasm necessary to help us build on our success from recent Games.
“Just as we have a rigorous selection process for our athletes, ensuring we have the right staff in the right positions plays a key part in providing leadership and creating our Team Scotland ethos. A home Games is a huge opportunity for Team Scotland to shine on the world stage and these staff appointments, and those that will follow, will focus on creating the right environment to give our athletes the best possible opportunity to excel at Glasgow 2026.”
Team Scotland General Team Management for Glasgow 2026:
Chef de Mission: Elinor Middlemiss
Deputy Chef de Mission: Chris Purdie
General Team Manager: Danny Cockroft
General Team Manager: Lynsey Hamilton
Chief Medical Officer: Carrie McCrea
Head Physiotherapist: Jon Twynham
Head of Media: Mark Snell
Glasgow 2026 has today revealed the official Session Schedule for the Commonwealth Games; setting the stage for 10 unforgettable days of world-class sport, landmark moments and packed venues across the city from 23 July to 2 August next year.
With more than 200 medals to be won in 50 medal sessions, the Games will bring together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports and six Para sports. There are also several Games firsts, including the men’s 800m freestyle and women’s 1500m freestyle featuring for the first time in the pool, the elimination race making its Games debut in the velodrome and the return of the iconic Commonwealth Mile at Scotstoun Stadium, back for the first time since 1966.
For the first time ever, the first medal of the Games will be awarded in a Para sport event, as Para Powerlifting opens the medal tally on Friday 24 July. Artistic Gymnastics and Swimming and Para Swimming, round off a thrilling opening day of competition and kick-start a packed schedule, with expanded programmes in Bowls and Para Bowls, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, Swimming and Para Swimming and Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling offering more sessions and more opportunities for fans to experience the action.
The Games will close on 2 August with the last medal expected to be awarded in either Judo or Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling.
Jack Carlin, Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World medallist in Track Cycling said: “Glasgow 2026 is going to be amazing and today’s announcement of the Session Schedule has shown just how packed a programme it will be across all 10 sports. There will be so much to see and do across the 10 days of competition and I have no doubt that the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome is going to be one of the places to be next summer – the programme is mega.
“Pulling on a Scotland jersey is always special and for the Scottish riders to get the chance to compete in a Scottish vest on a home track, in front of a home crowd, is extra special. It’s going to be brilliant!”
Finnie – a proud Glaswegian unicorn – has been revealed as the official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. She appeared at dawn on Wednesday 23 July at the top of the city’s famous Finnieston Crane, which is also her namesake, marking a year to go until the most eagerly anticipated sporting event of 2026.
The magical mascot was imagined with the help of 76 children from 24 schools from communities across Glasgow – known as Mascot Makers. ‘Fun, cool, and sassy’ Finnie’s signature feature is a horn inspired by the famous traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern of Art (GOMA) – a nod to Glasgow’s renowned sense of humour.
The big-hearted unicorn was born in Glasgow’s green spaces with a sport-loving spark. As well as her horn, Finnie has a silver flash in her shoes in homage to the Clyde’s shipbuilding history and she got her earring from the Glasgow Coat of Arms. Her flowing purple mane is inspired by the bright lights of Games-time venue The Hydro, and the world-famous Barrowland Ballroom gave her sparkling stars on
her arms and nose. She also wears a friendship bracelet created by the Mascot Makers and will be spotted making a heart-shaped gesture as her signature move.
The all-action mascot’s extraordinary aerial entrance marked the start of a special day of events celebrating the one-year countdown, during which she met Scottish athletes including Commonwealth 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan, Olympic medallist and Glasgow 2014 Team Scotland flagbearer Eilidh Doyle, Team Scotland basketball player Kieron Achara, two-time judo gold medallist Sarah Adlington and Commonwealth Para Bowls gold medallist Pauline Wilson.
She was also introduced to Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren and the Mascot Makers.
In a statement released alongside the launch, Finnie said: “I’ll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance. I’m here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city.
The countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is on with only 365 days to go until the curtain lifts on 11 days of brilliant sporting action.
10 sports, the largest ever para sport medal event programme, four iconic venues, one fantastic Games – mark your diary now for Thursday 23rd July to Sunday 2nd August 2026.
We can’t wait for our amazing athletes and fans to come together and make this one of the best Games ever!
Team Scotland are proud to be working with award winning designer Siobhan Mackenzie once again for Glasgow 2026. She designed the team tartan and Opening Ceremony outfits for Birmingham 2022, where Team Scotland were voted “best dressed” and all eyes will be on her designs as our athletes compete at their home Games next summer.
Hear about her pride in designing for the last Games and what might be in store for Glasgow 2026.
With just over a year to go until Glasgow 2026, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is delighted to announce the appointment to Team Scotland of Sport Team Managers for all ten sports on the programme as preparations continue for the XXIII Commonwealth Games.
Five of the Sport Team Managers named bring significant Commonwealth Games experience into the team. Lindsay Lewis (Swimming) and Julie Mollison (Athletics) return for a third Games, drawing on skills and knowledge gained at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, as does Glasgow 2014 Athletics competitor Jamie Bowie, who will take on the Gymnastics Team Manager role for a third Games. Karen McElveen returns for a fourth Games, having led Team Scotland’s Netball team in 2014, 2018 and 2022, as does Craig McEvoy (Boxing) who steps into the Team Manager position for the first time after three Games in coaching roles.
For six others, although Glasgow 2026 will be their first Games as Team Managers with Team Scotland, they bring valuable experience from a wide range of sporting and professional pursuits: John McEwan (Weightlifting), Katherine Ord (Bowls), Katrina Downie (Judo) and Rhianne Macauley (Cycling), Amy Kirkhouse (3×3 Wheelchair Basketball), Honor Campbell (3×3 Basketball).
Having competed for Scotland in weightlifting at Auckland 1990 and Victoria 1994, John is no stranger to the Commonwealth Games, also being part of Glasgow 2024 as a bar loader. British Weightlifting’s Head Pathway Coach for Scotland until earlier this year, he joined Weightlifting Scotland in 2022 as Performance Director and has since moved into his current role of Pathways Lead.
Katherine, a former mounted police officer, joined Bowls Scotland as Performance Coordinator in January 2025, a role in which she works closely with all of Scotland’s international teams including U18, U25, Para, Men & Women. She is set to lead teams at numerous international events over the coming months, including the Atlantic International Challenge in Canada and World Cup in Malaysia.
Katrina is a Performance Lifestyle Advisor with sportscotland, working with elite athletes in four sports, including Judo. She served as Team Manager for the 2022 EuroHockey Club Challenge II, and played a pivotal role during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she was appointed HQ Manager for the NEC Village with Team England.
Rhianne is Performance Coordinator with Scottish Cycling, working with riders and staff in the performance set-up. She has major event experience as Team Liaison at the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships and Venue Transport Manager for the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024. She also brings experience from a number of team roles, including with UCI World Cup Tour teams.
Amy has worked for basketballscotland for the past 9 years and has extensive team manager experience, including numerous FIBA European Championships with youth teams. She played a pivotal role in the Birmingham 2022 qualifying tournament hosted by basketballscotland, where three of Scotland’s four teams qualified for the Games.
Honor has worked closely with national players, coaches and support staff, both in her current role as Player Experience Officer at basketballscotland, and as team manager for Caledonia Gladiators for the WBBL and EuroCup. She has been a team manager within the GB programme for the past three years, most recently at the U18 European Championships.
Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026 said: “The sport team managers play a vital role creating the best possible environment for athletes and staff from each sport to excel at the Games, as well as bringing them all together as one Team Scotland.
“I’m delighted to welcome such a strong mix of returning staff and those new to Team Scotland. I look forward to working with them all to develop a strong team ethos together and enable our athletes to perform to their best next summer.”
Sport Team Managers
Athletics – Julie Mollison
3×3 Basketball – Amy Kirkhouse, Honor Campbell
Bowls – Katherine Ord
Boxing – Craig McEvoy
Cycling – Rhianne Macauley
Gymnastics – Jamie Bowie
Judo – Katrina Downie
Netball – Karen McElveen
Swimming – Lindsay Lewis
Weightlifting – John McEwan
Team Scotland is delighted to announce a partnership with Specialist Sports which will see adidas as its official leisurewear for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
BE Sport, a division of BE Uniforms, has been appointed to design and supply adidas leisurewear to athletes and team members, working with Specialist Sports, the distributor of adidas Teamwear across the UK and Ireland.
This marks a return to the brand for Team Scotland, 16 years after last wearing adidas kit at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with adidas to kit out our athletes and team members.
“We know how important it is to athletes to look and feel good when representing their country, and we are excited to work with them and our Athlete Advisory Panel to develop a range of kit that achieves that.
“The agreement is a significant milestone in our preparations, and we look forward to further announcements over the coming months as plans progress.”
Rob Hutchison, Teamwear Director, Specialist Sports, said: “It is great to be given the responsibility of supplying the adidas leisurewear to Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026.
“adidas is synonymous with quality, style and performance, and we know we will deliver a range of kit that athletes will be excited to wear.”
Rennie Keith, Teamwear Sales Manager at BE Sport, said: “It is an honour to design and supply Team Scotland with their leisurewear for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“Working closely with athletes and other team members, we hope to create designs that athletes will feel great wearing as they prepare to inspire the home crowds in the city and supporters watching at home.”
Chris Purdie has been named as Team Scotland’s Deputy Chef de Mission for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, following roles as General Team Manager at Birmingham 2022 and Chef de Mission at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Head of Competitions at Scottish Student Sport, Chris brings a wealth of experience of major multi-sport Games, including the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with Team GB and four World University Games, alongside his Commonwealth Games experience. He led the British team as Chef de Mission at the World University Winter Games in 2023, having previously served as Deputy Chef de Mission in 2019.
Chris will work closely with Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, in leading the team for the Glasgow 2026 Games.
“I am delighted to have been appointed Deputy Chef de Mission for Team Scotland at the 2026 Games in Glasgow”, he said.
“It will be a real honour and privilege to represent Scotland at a home Games . I have had some fantastic moments working with Team Scotland over the last four years, and I am looking forward to making this a truly memorable experience for both the competing athletes and support staff.”
Welcoming Chris to the position, Jon Doig OBE, CGS Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris back to Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026. He excelled in leadership roles in Birmingham and Trinbago and his extensive experience of multi-sport events stands him in great stead to deliver a positive Games experience for our athletes.”
“The planning for these Games will, of course, be very different to previous editions, but what does not change is the commitment to ensuring our athletes are given the best possible preparation and support to achieve their goals. In Chris’s appointment, and those that follow, our focus is on creating the right environment to give our athletes the best possible opportunity to excel in Glasgow.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) presents the opportunity for a high calibre sports clothing brand to partner with the organisation to elevate the Team Scotland brand and profile for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games is a large multi-sport event, attracting athletes from 74 nations, representing a third of the world’s population. Uniquely, the Games operates a fully integrated para-sport competition and has become known as ‘The Friendly Games’ – a celebration of commonality and diversity as well as top class sport.
The next Commonwealth Games takes place in July 2026, in Glasgow, with Team Scotland in the spotlight as host nation and athletes competing across a sports programme of 10 sports, including six fully integrated Para sports.
CGS invites a qualified sports clothing manufacturer to tender for the right to supply a brand that can provide a quality product and a high level of customer service that aligns with the values and performance standards of Team Scotland. For full tender along with the scope of requirements, please click here.
If you should be interested and wish to discuss, please contact the Head of Games Operations, Elinor Middlemiss (elinor.middlemiss@teamscotland.scot).
Completed tender documents should be returned to CGS by 17:00 on Thursday 28th November 2024.