Eight rising stars of track and field are the latest additions to Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago this summer. With just under 50 days to go until the Trinbago 2023 Opening Ceremony, the team is almost complete, with athletes now confirmed in six of the seven sports.

The concept of the Youth Games was created by Scotland in 2000 with the aim of developing young athletes and giving them an early experience of an international multi-sport environment. The event now has a proven track record of uncovering future champions at senior level, and a host of current stars have competed at past Youth Games, such as Eilish McColgan, Zoey Clark and Nick Percy.

Of the eight selected athletes some already have international experience under their belt. A Scottish and British U17 record holder, Corey Campbell was a finalist over 1500m at last year’s European U18 Championships. Also at those championships was sprinter Dean Patterson, who made it to the 200m final. Patterson started 2023 with a bang with a run of 21.23 at the National Indoor Open, bettering Elliot Bunney’s 32 year old Scottish Native record.

High jumper Jenna Hillditch heads to Trinbago 2023 having made her senior Scotland debut in May at the Loughborough International.

Turning 14 this month, Lidya Woldeselassie will be the youngest athlete on Team Scotland, competing in the T35-38 100m and Long Jump, the first time para events have been included in the Youth Games.

Team Scotland will be particularly strong in the middle distance events with Reiss Marshall, Millie McClelland-Brooks, Caleb McLeod and Amy Teasdale completing the line up.

The athletes, aged between 14-17 years old, will compete for Team Scotland alongside athletes from the five other sports on the Trinidad and Tobago programme: Rugby 7s, Beach Volleyball, Triathlon, and Netball. Athletics competition will take place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Trinidad, also the venue for the Opening Ceremony.

Chef de Mission, Chris Purdie, said, “I would like to welcome our track and field athletes to Team Scotland and to congratulate them on their selection. These athletes have put in an incredible amount of work and effort to get to where they are and deserve the recognition they have earned.”

“The Commonwealth Youth Games is a fantastic opportunity for these young athletes to represent their sport and their country on the international stage and I wish them all the best in their preparation for the Games. I look forward to watching them compete with pride for Team Scotland at Trinbago 2023.”

Allan Hamilton, Athletics Team Manager said:

“We’re delighted with the announcement of the track and field athletes for Trinbago. It was a tough selection process with a number of young Scots making qualifying standards in their events and a quota system for places for sports. Well done to those picked and to their families, coaches and clubs.

“The Commonwealth Youth Games is an ideal development platform in terms of international competition. We look forward to being with the athletes for Trinbago and, as they compete, helping each of them in their enjoyment and learning.”

Delighted to be selected, Corey Campbell said: “It is an honour to be selected to represent Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games. I am very much looking forward to going to Trinidad & Tobago and believe my previous international experience will help me at these Games. It will be a great experience competing and meeting all the athletes from the Commonwealth that will be there.”

The Commonwealth Youth Games take place from 4-11 August 2023. Athletes in Rugby 7s will be announced in the coming weeks.

Selected Athletes

ATHLETICS

Corey Campbell, 17

Jenna Hilditch, 17

Reiss Marshall, 17

Millie McClelland-Brooks, 16

Caleb McLeod, 17

Dean Patterson, 17

Amy Teasdale, 16

Lidya Woldeselassie, 14