We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Honorary Life President, David Webster OBE at the age of 95.
Connected with Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) since 1957, including terms as Vice-Chair (1987-90) and Chair (1990-95), he made an immense contribution to sport and the Commonwealth Games movement in Scotland and beyond. His involvement with CGS also saw him take on team roles at Commonwealth Games including as General Team Manager at Victoria 1994 and leading the team as Chef de Mission at Kuala Lumpur 1998.
Former Chair at Weightlifting Scotland, he served for many years as Scottish National Weightlifting Coach and worked at numerous World, European and Commonwealth Championships as a technical official, referee, or coach. He was also an official in bodybuilding and was a founding member of the National Amateur Bodybuilding Association.
In the 1960s, David began promoting the Highland Games internationally as a way to bring tourists to Scotland and helped to revive some of the traditional Scottish sports such as stone-lifting and caber-tossing. He founded the World Highland Games Heavy Events Championships in 1980, an annual event which has now been held across the world including Scotland, USA, Canada, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, France and the Netherlands.
He was awarded an OBE in 1995 for service to sport.
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Honorary Life President, David Webster OBE.
“He was a real inspiration to all who met him and a driving force in the worlds of weightlifting, bodybuilding and Highland Games. Commonwealth Games Scotland owes him a debt of gratitude for over 65 years’ service in various roles, including as Chair, as well as in team roles at several Games.
“Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time, and we share their pride in all he has achieved.”
We’re looking for an Athlete Director who is passionate about Scottish sport, Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Games movement to play a central role in the governance and decision-making of the organisation, shape our strategy and represent athlete interests in CGS policies and programmes.
We really value having positive athlete input and experience at the centre of what we do, which is why the role of Athlete Director is so important. While we face uncertainty over host nations over the coming cycles as we approach the Games centenary in 2030, we see a healthy and successful future for the Games and know that Scotland and its athletes will have a key part to play in delivering this vision.
The role requires a strong leader with good communication skills, the ability to work collectively with key stakeholder groups and an understanding of commitment to Board decision-making. You will also need to have empathy for, and understanding of, the needs of high-performance athletes from across our member sports. You will learn new skills and also be charged with recruiting and leading an Athlete Advisory Panel to support your efforts in representing the collective interests of a wide range of athletes.
To apply for the position, you must be a current or retired athlete who competed for Team Scotland at either the Gold Coast 2018 or the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Find out more about the role and application process by downloading the recruitment pack on our vacancies page.
To apply for this role, please email info@teamscotland.scot with your CV and supporting information (e.g. cover letter, video, voice note), demonstrating how you will impact positively on CGS as Athlete Director.
Closing date for applications is midday on Monday 18th September.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview in Stirling, with interviews expected to take place w/c 2nd October.
The successful candidate will be invited to join the next CGS Board meeting on 9th November 2023.
Any enquiries regarding the role should be sent to Jon Doig, CEO: jon.doig@teamscotland.scot, 01786 466 480
Happy anniversary!
It’s twelve months to the day since Kirsty Gilmour and Micky Yule led Team Scotland into the Alexander Stadium to kickstart the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
What followed was eleven days of incredible sporting competition, bringing together 72 nations and territories and over 5,000 athletes across 20 sports. The sporting schedule saw its largest ever integrated para-sport programme, and the first major multi-sport Games to have more events for women than men.
1.5 million people attended events at the Games, a new record, with millions more watching at home. BBC viewing figures were incredible, with the Games streamed 57.1 million times on BBC digital platforms and 28.6 million watching on TV.
I had the privilege of being Chief Executive Officer for the Games, and was a proud Scot on the side-lines watching our athletes do the country proud.
A sixth placed finish on the medal table, with a haul only bettered by the total from Glasgow 2014 – our athletes stepped up and shone on the international stage.
Medals were won across a record-equalling range of sports, including first ever medals in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics and Para Powerlifting, best ever results in Aquatics, Cycling and Triathlon, and a clean sweep of gold medals in Para Lawn Bowls.
Who could forget the magic moments from across the Games – from Eilish McColgan’s career-defining 10,000m win to a flurry of golds from our Boxing team on the penultimate day of competition.
Birmingham showcased so many aspects of what is great about both Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Games.
Our best athletes prioritised competing for us at the Games because of the pride they take in representing their country. It would have been easy in a congested year for some to take a break and miss the Games, but they all wanted to perform and win under the Saltire flag.
Our team of athletes and staff had representation from 31 of the 32 Local Authority areas in Scotland – truly representative of the nation spanning from Orkney to the Borders.
From 75-year-old gold medallists to breakthrough talents, a balance of gender, para and non-para athletes side by side – our team is diverse and one that everyone in Scotland can identify with.
The Games left a lasting impact on the West Midlands. It engaged local, national and international audiences alike, and will be remembered fondly by a city that is home to 187 nationalities from around the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.
The model of delivery for Birmingham, like Glasgow and Gold Coast before it, demonstrated a sustainable model for the Games. They all ran under budget and delivered significant value to the host communities – making use of good existing facilities, complimented by targeted investment to infrastructure that upgrades that can deliver value in future years.
Birmingham was delivered at a cost of £668.7 million, around half the initial budget for Victoria 2026. The revised figures being quoted last week were around five times that delivery cost and were difficult to recognise based on my experiences with Glasgow and Birmingham.
Their withdrawal from hosting was a shock to us all. Australia has been a great host of many successful Games in the past, so we had every confidence in their ability to deliver this time round.
We recognise the uncertainty it creates for our athletes and sports, and hope a solution is found to continue the momentum generated from three successful Games for both Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Movement.
Our immediate focus turns to Trinidad and Tobago, where 49 of our best young athletes will compete over the coming weeks across seven sports.
The Youth Games was founded in Scotland back in 2000, and has been a springboard for world-class athletes such as Hannah Miley and Josh Taylor in the past.
It also provides an incredible learning opportunity for athletes to experience a part of the world they most likely have never experienced before.
Good luck to everyone heading to the Caribbean – we look forward to you representing your country with pride.
Ian Reid CBE
Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland
Commonwealth Games Scotland is shocked to learn the news of the Victorian Government’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
On the back of a very successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games for both Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Sport Movement in general, our preparations were well underway for selecting, preparing and sending a team to Australia in three years’ time.
The Games is the only opportunity for many athletes to compete under the Scottish flag, and we know how much that means to them, our sports and supporters. We share their disappointment with today’s announcement and recognise the uncertainty it creates for all parties.
We will now take the time to assess its implications and await further news from the Commonwealth Games Federation on options for the Games in 2026.
Everyone at Commonwealth Games Scotland was saddened to learn of the recent passing of two influential Team Scotland alumni, Joan Watt and Derek Forsyth.
Joan contributed over 50 years to the Commonwealth games movement following her first Games as a Village Physiotherapist at the 1970 Games in Edinburgh.
She subsequently served on the Scottish team in physiotherapist roles at each Games between 1982 and 2002, before stepping into the role of Shooting Team Manager for Melbourne 2006 and Delhi 2010. She was Vice Chair of the Medical Group for the Glasgow 2014 bid and a member of the Medical Advisory Group for the Games.
She served as Honorary Medical Advisor on the CGS Board between 2003 and 2020, when she was awarded life membership of CGS. She was given a CGF Merit Award in 2016 in recognition of her services to the Commonwealth Games.
Joan also served as lead physiotherapist at Olympic Games, World and European Championships for Athletics and Shooting, as well as several other sports. She was a former Chairperson and first female President of Scottish Athletics.
Chief Executive Jon Doig OBE said: “Joan made a huge contribution to the Commonwealth Games and more widely to Scottish and was a pioneer in Scottish and UK sport across different fields from administration to physiotherapy, sports massage and anti-doping.
“Her friendship, advice and welcoming smile will be sadly missed.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Neil, her wider family and many friends in the sporting world and beyond.”
Derek served as Head Coach to the Scotland Men’s Hockey team at the last three Commonwealth Games, having been assistant coach in Delhi 2010. The team’s sixth place finish at the Gold Coast in 2018 remains their highest-ever finish.
His contribution to Scottish Hockey spans several decades, including roles as Men’s National Team Coach, Assistant Coach, Scotland U21 Men’s Head Coach and, most recently, Performance Programme Manager.
His time in charge delivered success including promotion to the top tier of European hockey and a highest ever world ranking.
Jon said: “As a highly respected and influential coach of exacting standards, Derek was a key part of Team Scotland over his four Games and his passing will be a huge loss to Scottish Hockey and Scottish sport in general.
“Our thoughts go out to Lynn, David, Alan and everyone who knew, was coached by, and worked with Derek. He will be sorely missed.”
Marc Hope and Susan Jackson have been appointed to the Commonwealth Games Scotland Board of Directors following a members vote at the 2023 AGM on the evening of Tuesday 23rd May.
Marc is a sports sponsorship consultant whose successful partnerships have included Team GB, British Athletics, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships, the FINA World Swimming Championships and the Lawn Tennis Association.
He currently advises Access Sport, who improve the lives of disadvantaged and disabled young people across the UK, as well as the International Island Games Association, the four home nations athletics associations and Glasgow 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
He is a non-executive Director on the Board of Scottish Squash, where he chairs the Finance, Commercial & HR Committee, and is a Board Director for the British Athletics Supporters Club Ltd.
Susan has served as Finance Director since her election to the Board at the 2015 AGM. She was previously the Athletes’ Representative from 2011 until 2015, following a successful sporting career that saw her represent Scotland in small bore rifle shooting at three Commonwealth Games, winning: bronze in 1998, silver in 2002 and gold in 2006.
Susan was part of the Achieve 2014 programme at the Delhi 2010 Games acting as an Athlete Mentor, allowing her to share her experiences with aspiring athletes and coaches. For the Glasgow 2014 Games she was instrumental in supporting the Organising Committee’s Athlete Representative Group. She also co-ordinated the Athletes’ First programme, with former athletes inspiring and offering support to Team Scotland members.
In her professional life, Susan is a Chartered Accountant with her family business. Previously she worked in the corporate finance team at Deloitte for 12 years before joining the Winning Scotland Foundation as a senior director.
We would like to extend our congratulations to Marc and Susan, and our thanks to the four other nominees who stood for election.
The meeting concluded with a presentation to outgoing Chair Paul Bush OBE, Vice-Chair Maureen Campbell OBE and Immediate Past Chair Michael Cavanagh OBE, all honoured with Life Membership in recognition of their outstanding contribution to CGS.
CGS would also like to thank David Bond who steps down from the Board after four years.
Commonwealth Games Scotland is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Reid CBE as the organisation’s new Chair.
Reid will bring a wealth of relevant experience to the role, having served as Chief Financial Officer of the Glasgow 2014 Games and more recently as Chief Executive Officer of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee. He has also worked in numerous non-sports positions, including roles with PwC, EY and Glasgow Housing Association.
He joins at an exciting juncture for the organisation, with the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in August and planning underway for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games as Team Scotland looks to build on a successful Birmingham 2022 performance from our athletes and sports.
The Scot has been appointed for a four-year term following an open recruitment process, and replaces outgoing Chair Paul Bush OBE, who completes an eight-year tenure at the Commonwealth Games Scotland AGM in late May.
Ian Reid CBE said: “I’m extremely proud to be appointed as the new Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland.
“The Commonwealth Games means a lot to me personally and professionally. Having worked on both the Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 Games, I have seen first-hand how a successful Team Scotland can galvanise and inspire a nation.
“To have the opportunity to chair an organisation responsible for putting a team from my home country into the largest multi-sport event we can compete in will be a genuine honour.
“With Trinbago 2023 less than 100 days away, and a new delivery model of Victoria 2026 to prepare for, there is a lot to look forward to and I can’t wait to get started.
“I look forward to meeting my fellow board members, CGS staff, member sports and other partners in the coming weeks and months as we build our plans together for the upcoming cycle.”
Outgoing Chair Paul Bush OBE said: “On behalf of Commonwealth Games Scotland I am delighted to welcome Ian to the role.
“His knowledge and experience of the Commonwealth Games and sport in Scotland will be of great benefit to the organisation as it moves towards the Victoria 2026 Games.
“I know from my own experience how rewarding the role can be and I am sure he will relish the opportunity to lead the team over the next four years alongside a very supportive board and our wider partners.”
As Commonwealth Day is celebrated around the world today, with the theme of ‘Year of Youth’, we focus on two Team Scotland athletes leading social change through the power of sport.
Four-time Commonwealth Games swimming medallist, Hannah Miley, and Team Scotland’s athlete of the Games with gold and silver on the track at Birmingham 2022, Eilish McColgan, have both been awarded a Game Changer Grant from the Commonwealth Sport Foundation to boost the impact of projects they have set up to benefit young people.
Gold medallist in the 400m IM at both Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014, Hannah Miley is using her experiences in sport to better inform young people about menstrual health through her project Typically 28.
It’s all about breaking down barriers and opening up conversations to properly discuss female health and menstruation and how female athletes can better support themselves in sport and life out with sport. She aims to make education more accessible and interesting and hopes the project will also inform coaches, helping to retain more female athletes in sport.
With Games Changer Grant support covering some of the programme costs, workshops can be delivered to a wider audience and one future aim is to train other athletes deliver the workshops, allowing them to share their own personal story. Not only expanding the project to reach more young people, this will offer a fantastic opportunity for athletes nearing retirement to work with different sports, build their skill set and boost their confidence when looking at life after competitive sport.
Watch video
Having achieved one of the most memorable performances of the Birmingham 2022 Games with her gold in the 10,000m, Eilish McColgan has also been awarded Game Changers Grant support to help expand her Giving Back to Track initiative, which is breaking down barriers to involvement in grassroots athletics and supporting female athletes in reaching their goals.
Through the Giving Back to Track initiative, Eilish is currently supporting a small group of female athletes age 16-22 through a scholarship programme, supporting a further six athletes with a travel and training grant and supporting two female coaches achieve qualifications through her Inspire Female Coaching Grant.
She is also making a difference in grassroots athletics in her hometown of Dundee. A free after school club has been up and running across two schools in since October, with the project also providing bursaries at her own athletics club Dundee Hawkhill Harriers to cover track and club fees.
Not only is the project removing barriers to kids starting athletics, two young athletes from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers are gaining valuable experience in athletics coaching, being supported in running the club. The Game Changer Grant will allow the project to expand to further clubs in Dundee, and longer term to cities across Scotland.
Watch video
Launched in July 2020, Game Changers is a grant initiative funded by the Commonwealth Sport Foundation. Using the power of sport and the shared values of the Commonwealth, Game Changers seeks to help establish the Commonwealth Movement as progressive leaders in social change to unleash our human potential and transform lives.
Micky Yule has announced his retirement from Para-powerlifting.
The 44-year-old led Team Scotland as Flagbearer at the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony alongside Kirsty Gilmour, before going on to win a bronze medal.
Micky attended his third Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 2022, having become the first Scottish athlete to compete in Para-Sport Powerlifting at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, where he finished 4th. He returned for Gold Coast 2018, just missing out on a medal again, coming 4th for his second consecutive Games.
Having finishing sixth on his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, he put in a fabulous performance to win bronze at Tokyo 2020 with a lift of 182kg. His other achievements include gold at both the Invictus Games and 2015 European Championships.
A member of the British Army, Micky was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010, an injury that required more than 40 operations and left him a double amputee. Having competed in Power-lifting competitions for the Army since 2007, he took a year to recover before getting back into the gym in 2011 and competing for Great Britain in Para-Sport Powerlifting competitions.
Everyone at Team Scotland wishes Micky a happy retirement!
“The whole clan” were cheering on the sidelines as Beth Potter won Team Scotland’s first medal of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
A time of 56:46 gave Potter the bronze medal in the Triathlon Women’s Individual Sprint Distance event at Sutton Park, with Bermuda’s Flora Duffy winning gold and Georgia Taylor-Brown of England in silver.
And Potter had plenty of support to celebrate the moment with.
“I’ve got a lot of family and friends here, even mum’s dog!
“My coaches – my run coach, my overall coach, Alistair Brownlee who has been helping with my biking. My parents, sister, cousins – just the whole clan!
“I saw my Dad when I was running down – he’s got this Scotland football shirt that says ‘Go Beth’ across the front that he’s had since 2014, so he had that on.
“And I saw my aunt on the course but haven’t seen anyone else yet, so I’ll have to wait to catch up with all of them.”
The 30-year-old made history four years ago by becoming the first Team Scotland athlete to compete in multiple sporting disciplines at the same Games, running the 10,000 metres in athletes after competing in triathlon.
This time she has marked her name in the record books for getting on the podium and taking home Scotland’s first medal in Birmingham.
