As both Commonwealth Day and International Women’s Day are celebrated around the world today, Team Scotland joins others in shining a spotlight on the achievements of women and the steps being taken towards equality and inclusion.
Gender equality has come a long way since the first Commonwealth Games in 1930 where the only sport open to women was Aquatics, with five Swimming and two Diving events on offer. Scotland sent four female athletes, with no female staff mentioned on the team list. Athletics events for women were added in 1934, with other sports and events gradually added each Games.
Gold Coast 2018 was the first Games to have equal medal events for men and women while Birmingham 2022 will be the first Games to have more medal events for women, with the introduction of Women’s T20 Cricket.
Team Scotland is also celebrating a milestone for Birmingham 2022 with the appointment of Elinor Middlemiss as Team Scotland’s first female Chef de Mission since the Games began in 1930.
A former Scotland Badminton international, and Commonwealth Games Scotland’s current Head of Games Operations, she is also the first former Commonwealth Games athlete to lead the Scottish team since Sir Peter Heatly in 1978.
Scotland’s highest capped female Badminton player of all-time, Elinor represented Team Scotland at five Commonwealth Games winning a Women’s Doubles bronze medal with Sandra Watt in 1998 and Team bronze in 2002.
Her appointment follows two spells as Deputy Chef de Mission at the most recent Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.
Team Scotland’s other staff appointments to date for Birmingham 2022 also have strong female representation. Two of the three General Team Managers, appointed to lead the key areas of operational activity, are women, as are 52% of the Sport Team Managers, up from 28% at Glasgow 2014 and 38% at Gold Coast 2018.
Jen Barsby continues the role she performed at Gold Coast 2018, returning for a second Games as General Team Manager for Accommodation and Village Facilities, while Joanne Deponio will lead on Transport & Logistics with a wealth of experience at major multi-sport Games, including the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and as Head of Operations for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.
Aquatics Team Manager Lindsay Lewis and Athletics Team Manager Julie Mollison will draw on their experience ‘Down Under’ as they take on their respective roles for a second Games, while Karen McElveen returns for a third Games, having led Team Scotland’s Netball team in both 2014 and 2018.
World Triathlon Championship medallist and twice Commonwealth Games competitor Catriona Morrison brings invaluable first-hand knowledge of what is required to perform at the highest level and is joined by a further seven women set for their first Games with Team Scotland as Sport Team Managers at Birmingham 2022.
In addition, women account for four of the six Understudy Team Managers completing the training and development programme alongside the 2022 Sport Team Managers and beginning their journey as potential Team Managers for 2026, further demonstrating Team Scotland’s commitment to equality and inclusion for future Games.
Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022 said:
“I’m honoured to have been asked to take on the role of Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022. I’m very much looking forward to the journey over the next 18 months and making it a memorable and successful experience for every member of the team.
“It’s fantastic to see a much more balanced representation in our Sport Team Managers than at the past two Commonwealth Games. Looking at the recruitment process, including addressing the gender balance of staff joining Team Scotland for the Games, was one of the key recommendations coming out of our review following Gold Coast 2018.
“Having the right staff in place plays a huge part in Team Scotland’s success, both in terms of performance and in ensuring every athlete has a positive experience at the Games. To go to Birmingham with such an exciting and diverse group of returning staff, former athletes and those new to Team Scotland gives our athletes the best possible preparation and the right environment in which to excel.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), in conjunction with Scottish Swimming, has confirmed today the sports specific selection standards required in Swimming, Para-Swimming and Diving for nomination to Team Scotland for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. These are in addition to the criteria laid down in the General Selection Policy published in January 2020.
This means that 14 of the 19 sports on the programme have now agreed the sport specific standards required for athletes to put themselves in the frame for competing at Birmingham 2022.
In both Swimming and Diving, athletes competing at the Tokyo Olympic Games may be considered for pre-selection in October 2021. For all other athletes, nomination will be based on achieving nomination times or scores. For Swimming, these times must be achieved at the British Championships in April 2022. For Diving, nomination scores must be achieved at an identified event within the selection window of 1st June 2021 to 30th April 2022.
The Para-Swimming programme incorporates six medal events for men, six for women, and two Mixed Relay events. Participation in Para-Sport events is subject to receiving an invite from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to compete in the Games based on a Commonwealth-adjusted WPS World Ranking list, with the qualification period closing on 31 December 2021.
The full Aquatics policy and standards can be viewed here.
The overall Team Scotland selection period detailed in the CGS General Selection Policy is 1 March 2021 to 15 May 2022. This policy, along with the detailed selection standards for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in all sports published to date are available to download at: https://www.teamscotland.scot/games/birmingham-2022/team-selection/
Leading figures from across Scottish sport have met to discuss the continued impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the role the sport sector will play in the nation’s long-term recovery from the pandemic.
Members of the Scottish Governing Bodies Chief Executive Officers Forum were joined by Minister for Public Health and Sport, Mairi Gougeon, and Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, at the virtual meeting.
The SGB CEO Forum represents 35 sports including athletics, badminton, cycling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, netball, swimming, triathlon and volleyball. It was established to develop a greater collective approach across sports and to help shape a collaborative response to the pandemic.
Some of the challenges faced by Scottish sport, such as financial viability, access to facilities and SGB membership levels, were discussed at the meeting. The Forum expressed a firm commitment to using the power of sport and physical activity to assist in the recovery from COVID-19 and to help support the economy, health and wellbeing, education and social fabric of the nation.
Public Health and Sport Minister Mairi Gougeon said: “We know that being active is one of the best ways to improve or maintain our physical and mental wellbeing, and this has been particularly so during the pandemic. As we start to carefully ease lockdown restrictions while continuing to suppress the virus, there is no doubt that sport will play a central role in Scotland’s recovery.
“Recognising the significant effect that the pandemic has had on the sport sector, the Scottish Government has provided a £55 million emergency funding package, allowing clubs to bridge the gap in revenue until spectators are able to return safely to sports events in larger numbers.
“Our continuing collaboration with the sector is vital as we work to tackle the issues facing sports clubs as a result of COVID-19. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Sports Governing Bodies, who have worked tirelessly to ensure sport can continue to operate safely within the restrictions.”
Chair of the SGB CEO Forum, Vinny Bryson, said: “It was important to have the opportunity to speak with the Minister for Sport about the challenges facing the sector but also to outline how SGBs can be a part of the solution. For the Minister to listen to 35 Scottish Sports Governing Body CEOs and hear one collective voice is powerful and demonstrates our shared commitment to using the #PowerOfSport as part of the national recovery efforts of our nation.
“We are all keen to play our part in restarting and shaping the future of sport as we emerge from the COVID-19 restrictions over the next few months and today’s discussions will support this approach. All our Governing Bodies are keen to have the clubs and members they represent at the heart of the nation’s mental and physical recovery from this pandemic. For the nation to rebuild and thrive again, it must be an active one.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “It has been a year like no other for Scottish sport but the sector has shown remarkable resilience in how it has responded. This is the most difficult situation we have experienced but the sporting system, particularly SGBS, has done an exceptional job.
“We need to recover, rebuild and restart with confidence. I fully believe that we will do that, when the time is right, because we have a system that is committed to working together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. There is a lot of hard work still to be done but we will get through this together.”
Today’s meeting comes just three months after the Scottish Government announced a £55million emergency funding package for spectator sports, to help them deal with the financial burden of lost ticket income.
Across the financial year, a total of £32.4million has been accelerated to local and national partners by sportscotland, helping protect up to 1,600 jobs across the sector, while delivery targets were also relaxed. The national agency has also created a £1.5million Scottish Governing Body (SGB) COVID-19 Recovery Support Fund, which is being delivered with National Lottery funding.
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members of staff, with Colin Millar joining as Head of Marketing and Communications and Danny Cockroft as Programme Administrator.
Colin joins CGS with a wealth of experience, most recently as Senior Operations Manager at Hibernian Football Club, having previously worked as Senior Communications and Marketing Manager, shaping Hibs’ internal and external marketing strategies. He credits experiences with the sportscotland Young People’s Sports Panel and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, where he participated in the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme 33Fifty, as catalysts in his career in sport.
Colin said “I am delighted to be joining CGS and look forward to working with our sport governing bodies, athletes and partners in the lead-up to Birmingham 2022 and beyond. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the success of Team Scotland and use our athletes’ stories to engage and inspire the Scottish public. I know the passion, dedication and professionalism that exists in the sector and am keen to leverage that to help raise the profile of sport.”
Danny brings experience from a wide range of roles, including working with sports development projects in the UK, Fiji and Zambia. He joins CGS from roles as a Community Sports Officer with Greenwich Leisure and as Project Officer in Sport at Leeds Beckett University where he supported veterans and serving military undergoing rehabilitation, while his previous roles have included the development of Wheelchair Basketball as a coach and Get Active Ambassador for Basketball Scotland.
Danny said: “I’m really excited to get started with CGS in the build up to Birmingham 2022. It’s brilliant to be able to support Team Scotland as they aim to continue their success in the Games, and after a year of limited sport, it will be great to see Scotland and the younger generation inspired by their nation competing at the highest level. I consider myself very lucky to get the opportunity to be involved with the future of Scottish sport.”
In welcoming both to CGS, Chief Executive Jon Doig OBE said: “I look forward to having both Colin and Danny bring their expertise and passion for sport to help shape our operations, work with athletes and partners in delivering a successful Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022 and use the power of the Games to inspire young Scots in particular.”
Birmingham 2022 has released the latest version of the competition schedule for the Commonwealth Games, the biggest multi-sport event to be staged in the UK for a decade, following on from the success of London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.
The new information includes the start and finish times for all 286 sessions of the Games, plus information about when the 283 gold medals that are up for grabs will be won.
The new schedule, which has been finalised following detailed conversations with Games Partners, international federations and broadcasters, has been added to the Birmingham 2022 website at: https://www.birmingham2022.com/the-games/schedule
The sporting action will start in style on Friday 29 July with medal sessions on the first day confirmed for Swimming, Track Cycling, Gymnastics and Triathlon, and a number of other sports getting underway. Team Scotland will be looking to replicate the start of Gold Coast 2018, which saw Scottish medal success in all four of these opening day medal sports and strong starts in other events.
Last year organisers confirmed that more medals will be awarded to women than men for the first time ever at a major multi-sport event and Sunday 7 August will be a showcase for women’s team sport in particular, with the medal matches for Women’s Hockey, Cricket T20 and Netball all taking place on the same day.
The final day of competition will be held on Monday 8 August when gold medals will be awarded in Diving, Table Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Hockey before the Games conclude with the Closing Ceremony that evening.
Two of the busiest days will be Tuesday 2 August when nine sports will award medals and Sunday 7 August when the medallists in eleven different sports will be decided.
The release of the schedule is a milestone for Team Scotland and for athletes looking to compete at Birmingham 2022, providing key information to help with planning and preparation. Friends, family and supporters can also start to plan their visit to the Games ahead of tickets going on sale later this year.
CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “This is another significant milestone as we move closer to Birmingham 2022.
“We are fortunate to showcase two full weekends of world-class sport, with the event featuring the largest para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history with an unprecedented platform for women’s sport.
“After such a difficult period, I am delighted Birmingham 2022 is unveiling this exciting schedule today, to give Commonwealth athletes and fans a spectacular competition to look forward to.”
To support the release of this new information, new pages have been added to www.birmingham2022.com where you can sign-up for more information and be first to find out when tickets go on sale.
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), in conjunction with Bowls Scotland, has confirmed today the sports specific selection standards required in Para-Bowls for nomination to Team Scotland for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. These are in addition to the criteria laid down in the General Selection Policy published in January 2020.
With 13 of the 19 sports on the programme having now agreed the sport specific standards required for athletes to put themselves in the frame, preparations are on track for another successful Games for Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022.
Para-Bowls competition at Birmingham 2022 will see three medal events contested: Men’s Pairs B6-B8, Women’s Pairs B6-B8 and Mixed Pairs B2-B3. Entry to the Games for all Para-Bowls events will be by invitation from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on 10 January 2022.
As for all other sports, Pairs who receive a CGF invitation must also demonstrate the ability to finish in the top six at the Games to be considered for nomination to Team Scotland. All Pairs receiving an initial invitation will be considered to have met this requirement and the invitation will be accepted. Invitations for Pairs receiving a re-allocation invite will be considered based on results in international competition and any Test Events held during the selection period of 1 March 2021 to 31 December 2021.
The full policy can be viewed here.
The overall Team Scotland selection period detailed in the CGS General Selection Policy is 1 March 2021 to 15 May 2022. This policy, along with the detailed selection standards for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in all sports published to date are available to download at: https://www.teamscotland.scot/games/birmingham-2022/team-selection/
All at Commonwealth Games Scotland are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of double Commonwealth Games Wrestling bronze medallist Graeme English last week at the age of 56.
Graeme, from East Kilbride, died suddenly in the early hours of Thursday 18 February, from a pulmonary embolism.
He took Commonwealth Games bronze at the home Games of Edinburgh 1986 and repeated this success in Victoria, Canada, in 1994. Also an Olympian he finished 9th at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and won multiple British senior titles.
Before his Games success, he was a gymnast coached by his father Pat and turned to wrestling after suffering an ankle injury which ended his gymnastics career. Coached by Michael Cavanagh at East Kilbride Wrestling Club, he quickly excelled in the sport, winning the first of his Commonwealth Games medals within 18 months.
Following his competitive career he turned to coaching, which he continued until a few years ago, his son Brandon following him into wrestling.
Past Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Graeme’s former coach Michael Cavanagh OBE said: “Graeme joined the club in East Kilbride at the beginning of 1985 and, within 18 months had won a bronze medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. He was the most talented, hardworking wrestler I’ve ever coached, and an amazing competitor on the mat. So sad that he’s gone so young. Rest in peace Graeme.”
Graeme leaves behind sons Jordan and Ryan, Brandon and Adam, and step-daughter Robyn. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Rio 2016 Olympic Games medallist Sally Conway has today announced her retirement from Judo after a 26 year career.
Ending her career as an Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Games medallist, Sally’s record at major championships was outstanding. Having shown early promise with a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in 2006 and a bronze at the European U23 Championships a year later, it was at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games that Sally took her first senior championship medal. Part of an incredible 13 medal haul from 14 Scottish judoka at these Games, Sally took bronze in the 70kg event.
Already with Olympic experience from London 2012, Sally made history at Rio 2016, winning bronze to become Scotland’s first Olympic Judo medallist. Two years later she took silver at the European Championships in Tel Aviv before completing her collection of major championships medals with bronze at the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo.
Alongside her championship medals she took a host of medals at World Cup, Grand Prix and Grand Slam events with highlights including becoming the first British winner in 15 years at the Paris Grand Slam as she defeated World No.1 Chizuru Arai for gold in 2018.
Announcing her retirement Sally said: “I always said to myself ‘I will know when the times comes, and I am ready to stop’ regardless of results and performances.
“I think had Tokyo 2020 gone ahead as planned last year, I 100% would have competed. The last year has given me a lot time to take a step back and reflect on the future and some may question the timing with Tokyo less than 6 months away, but in my heart I feel like now is the right time to take that step back. I am so happy with what I have achieved within the sport and how my career has gone that I feel that is it for me now and I’m ready to close this chapter and see what the future holds.
“Judo has enabled me to make some great friends from all around the world, I will miss seeing them all as there were times that I was spending more time with my judo family than my actual family!”
“Going forward I am keeping my options open. I would like to try coaching and pass on my experience to young athletes coming through. I also plan to do sports massage, and I also enjoy public speaking. I am just going to see what opportunities arise and see what I enjoy doing, I am really looking forward to seeing what the future holds. I have learnt so much through judo and being an elite athlete that I know I have a good foundation on which to build upon in the future.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), in conjunction with Scottish Gymnastics and Netball Scotland, has confirmed today the sports specific selection standards required in these sports for nomination to Team Scotland for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. These are in addition to the criteria laid down in the General Selection Policy published in January 2020.
This means that 13 of the 19 sports on the programme have now agreed the sport specific standards required for athletes to put themselves in the frame for competing at Birmingham 2022.
The Gymnastics policies set out the standards required in Men’s Artistic, Women’s Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics. Artistic qualification is centred around results at the 2022 British Championships with opportunities to achieve benchmark scores at named selection events between January and April 2022. Rhythmic selection incorporates two phases, the first being the 2021 British Championships and the second being results at named international events from January to April 2022.
For Netball, Scotland’s participation in the Games is subject to receiving an invite from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to compete in the Games based on the International Netball Federation World Rankings as at 30 November 2021. If an invitation to compete for Netball is received, the team invitation will be accepted in line with CGS General Selection Policy.
The overall Team Scotland selection period detailed in the CGS General Selection Policy is 1 March 2021 to 15 May 2022. This policy, along with the detailed selection standards for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in all sports published to date are available to download at: https://www.teamscotland.scot/games/birmingham-2022/team-selection/
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) in conjunction with Scottish Cycling has confirmed today the sports specific selection standards required for nomination to Team Scotland for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. These are in addition to the criteria laid down in the General Selection Policy published in January 2020.
Team Scotland’s most successful sport at Gold Coast 2018 with four gold, four silver and two bronze medals, the selection window for Cycling for Birmingham 2022 will open on 1 April 2021 and close on 30 April 2022.
In line with all other sports, athletes put forward for nomination must demonstrate the potential for a top six finish at the Games. For Road, Mountain Bike and most Track Cycling Endurance events qualification will be based on results in specified competitions, while qualification times have been set for Track Cycling Sprint events (including Para-Sport events), Individual Pursuit and Team Pursuit.
The Cycling Sport Specific Policy for Birmingham 2022 can be found at: https://www.teamscotland.scot/games/birmngham-2022/team-selection/
The CGS General Selection Policy and detailed selection standards for the 2022 Commonwealth Games for all sports published to date can also be found at the above link. The overall Team Scotland selection period detailed in the CGS General Selection Policy is 1 March 2021 to 15 May 2022.
Eleven of the 19 sports have now agreed the sport specific standards required for athletes to put themselves in the frame for competing at Birmingham 2022.