Team Scotland’s numbers in the Athletes’ Village received a boost today with the arrival of over 70 athletes and staff, as several sports made the transition down from a successful preparation camp in Sunshine Coast.

Boxing, Weightlifting and both men’s and women’s Hockey teams had their first taste of  Village life and are raring to go with just four days until the Opening Ceremony of Gold Coast 2018.

“It’s really cool and colourful,” said Hockey goalkeeper Amy Gibson. “Everyone is really friendly and the place is amazing. I’m very excited for the Games. I’ve not seen the Hockey venue in person yet, just pictures, but it looks incredible.”

With the Team Scotland area of the Village decked out with flags and banners incorporating the iconic design developed in a collaboration between well-known Gold Coast artist, Leeton Lee and Edinburgh design agency, Brand Oath, the striking look has been a hit with the athletes.

It makes me proud to be Scottish,” said 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Boxing gold medallist Sean Lazzerini. “It makes it feel like home, it’s really warm and everyone’s really nice. I’m just really excited now for the competition to start.”

The Cycling team also flew in from their preparation camp in Sydney. They had a tour of the Village to meet their team mates before heading up to Brisbane, where they will be based for the duration of their competition, near the newly constructed Anna Meares Velodrome.

Now they are settled in the Village, the athletes’ thoughts are turning to doing Team Scotland proud once competition begins. Hockey player Michael Bremner said: “I’m really looking forward to the first game, it’s going to be exciting!

“We’ve already been in Australia for a week and a half, so we’ve played some warm up games, done some training and got over the jetlag. We’ve trained very hard and are in a really good place right now, so we’re looking forward to see how we do, competing against some really top teams.”

Team Scotland’s official welcome ceremony takes place tomorrow, as Aquatics, Netball, Triathlon, Shooting and Wrestling also move down to the Gold Coast.