With 100 days to go until the seventh Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago this summer, Scotland’s preparations are well on track with most team staff appointments now made. 

The Trinbago 2023 Youth Games will take place between 4-11 August, with competition across seven sports split between the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

The team will be led by Chef de Mission, Chris Purdie, supported by Danny Cockroft and Vikki Bunce as General Team Managers and Joanne Holmes as HQ Admin. 

In addition to their duties as Head of Media and Media Officer respectively, Gillian Cooke and Niamh Barrie will provide additional HQ Admin support. 

The medical team will consist of Victoria Campbell as Chief Medical Officer, David Brandie as Lead Physiotherapist, supported by Team Physiotherapists Sarah Chambers and Catriona Sloan. 

Following consultation with the governing bodies of the seven sports in which Scotland will be represented, the following sports specific team manager appointments have been made: 

Athletics – Allan Hamilton and Alison Grey 

Beach Volleyball – Mel Coutts 

Cycling – Isabel Sloan and Evan Oliphant 

Fast5 Netball – Hayley MacKellar and Rachel Cremin 

Rugby 7s – Craig Dods and Robbie Fergusson 

Swimming – Jamie Ward and Laura Bowie 

Triathlon – Fiona Lothian 

Six staff members have previously competed for Team Scotland at a Commonwealth Games, with Mel Coutts and Robbie Fergusson both competing at the most recent Games in Birmingham last summer. Two staff members, Gillian Cooke (Athletics) and Vikki Bunce (Hockey), competed at the first Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh in 2000 before going onto represent Team Scotland at the main Games. 

Our young athletes will head to Trinbago 2023 with an experienced staff team with many part of Birmingham 2022 either in roles for Team Scotland or as part of the Achieve Programme. 

Welcoming the staff to Team Scotland, Chris Purdie said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of our Core and Sport Specific Staff. We have assembled a fantastic group of individuals who are well-placed to deliver a positive environment for our young athletes at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. I am looking forward to working with so many talented individuals on what I am sure will be an incredible experience for both athletes and staff.” 

Appointment of a Team Doctor and a further sports specific staff member for Athletics will follow in the coming weeks.