Team Scotland’s preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have received a boost with the announcement of Sport Team Managers for Cricket and Hockey, concluding these appointments across all 19 sports on the programme.

Women’s Cricket makes its Commonwealth Games debut in T20 format at Birmingham 2022 and Sue Strachan, Cricket Scotland’s current Women’s Team Tour Manager will bring a wealth of experience to her role as Team Manager. One of Scottish Women in Sport’s founder members and recently appointed as Cricket Scotland’s first female President, Sue welcomes the inclusion of the women’s game in Birmingham as Scotland set their sights on qualifying for the eight team tournament.

Gus Mackay, CEO at Cricket Scotland said: “We are delighted for Sue that she has been announced as our Team Manager for the Commonwealth Games. Her involvement and dedication to developing the sport in Scotland is inspirational and we look forward to her supporting our women’s national team as both Team Manager and role model.“

Men’s Hockey Team Manager, Amy McLeod brings valuable Commonwealth Games experience from Glasgow 2014 where she was the Hockey Competition Coordinator, supporting planning and delivery of both the pre-Games test event and the Games themselves. Her passion for sport has also seen her in support staff roles for both British Cycling and Scottish Rugby, which will stand her in good stead for the multi-sport environment.

Elsie Walker has been Scottish Hockey Women’s Team Manager since May 2019, a period which has seen the team place 5th at the 2019 FIH Series Finals in Ireland and secure victory on home soil at the EuroHockey Championship II in Glasgow. Her appointment as Women’s Hockey Team Manager for Birmingham 2022 will bring continuity and utilise her experience with the National team and from 12 years as manager of Women’s Premier Division side Western Wildcats.

Scottish Hockey Head of Performance Andy Tennant said: “We are delighted to have both Elsie and Amy on board for Birmingham. They both bring excellent knowledge and experience from different environments – and we believe they will complement each other well and help deliver the best possible support to our athletes.”

Welcoming the trio to Team Scotland, Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022 said: “The sport team managers for each sport on the Games programme play a vital role, working closely with the General Team Management to create the best possible environment for athletes and staff from each sport to excel at the Games and bringing the sports together as one Team Scotland.

“I’m delighted to welcome three team managers of this calibre to Team Scotland and to have a full complement of Sport Team Managers in place. I look forward to working with them all as we progress towards the Birmingham Games.”