Team Scotland have revealed their new parade outfits for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The attire, which will be worn during the Opening Ceremony on 28th July 2022, was unveiled at the team’s pre-Games preparation camp in Glasgow on Thursday.
Both men’s and women’s outfits have been designed by Scottish fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie, and feature a scaled-up bespoke tartan design with colours synonymous with both Team Scotland and Birmingham 2022.
The tartan was woven by the Lochcarron Mill in Selkirk, with all other components manufactured locally and using traditional methods where possible.
Swimmer Ross Murdoch said: “I love the outfit!
“This is my third Commonwealth Games with Team Scotland and it’s always a proud moment to receive the kilt – it puts an extra spring in your step when you are representing the country wearing it.
“There’s been a real buzz around Team Camp today – everyone is excited to get down to Birmingham and compete in what is close to a home Games for us.”
Para-athletics wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn MBE said: “The design is stunning.
“Opening ceremonies are special nights for athletes, and it feels like a lot of time and attention has gone into making sure we are looking the part going out for the parade.
Designer Siobhan Mackenzie said: “It’s such an honour to be involved in the design of the outfits.
“We consulted with the committee and athletes’ panel to make sure it was something they were going to be happy in, and we’ve been delighted with the reaction we’ve had from the athletes so far.
“I played around with the scale of the tartan, which is the main aesthetic feature of the final pieces, and the devil’s always in the detail, with little touchers across – buckles, buttons, lininigs and stitching colour.
“It’s a contemporary take on tradition and, importantly, is made in Scotland using traditional methods”
“It’s such an honour to be involved in the design of the outfits – I really can’t wait to see the athletes emerge into the stadium wearing them.”
Team Scotland Chef de Mission Elinor Middlemiss said: “It is great to finally see the final designs come to life.
“Planning for the parade outfits started a couple of years ago and went through a number of stages including great input from our athlete’s panel.
“I hope our athletes will take great pride in wearing it at the Opening Ceremony.”
Images: MBP Ltd for Team Scotland
Commonwealth Games Scotland has today announced that five wrestlers have been selected to represent Team Scotland at this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Ross Connelly, from Cumbernauld, returns to Team Scotland for his second Games, having completed in the 57kg weight category in Gold Coast 2018. This summer he will step up to the 65kg division for Birmingham 2022.
Christelle Lemofack will compete at her second Commonwealth Games this summer, her first being Glasgow 2014 where she finished in fifth place whilst representing Cameroon. She will
be joined by Abbie Fountain who is the youngest of the five selected wrestlers at only 18 years old.
Earning selection for his first Commonwealth Games is Cameron Nicol, a former Brazilian Jiu jitsu competitor, who started wrestling only three years ago in 2019. The current 86kg Scottish Champion and British Champion will be joined by Nicolae Cojocaru who haș previously wrestled for Moldova and Romania and moved to Scotland in 2014.
Commenting on his selection Ross Connelly said: “I’m delighted to be part of Team Scotland for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The Games are that bit more special
being so close to home – it gives a chance for friends and family to come and give us much needed support which I know will make the occasion extra special.”
Commenting on her selection Christelle Lemofack said: “I am really grateful for this opportunity. Representing Scotland in the 2022 Commonwealth Games it’s a dream come true for me.
“With the Games being close to home, it motivates me more. I’m really looking forward to proudly representing Scotland in Birmingham this summer.”
Speaking of the wrestling squad heading to Birmingham, Team Scotland Chef de Missionr Elinor Middlemiss said: “I am really pleased for all of the wrestlers selected to represent Scotland this summer. This latest announcement takes our squad total to 142. It is a mix of experience and new faces, but there are some great medal contenders in this squad and I look forward to seeing them compete on the mat in Birmingham.“
Athletes selected:
Nicolae Cojocaru
Ross Connelly
Abbie Fountain
Christelle Lemofack Letchidjio
Cameron Nicol
The freestyle Wrestling event will take place at Coventry Stadium & Indoor Arena on 5th
and 6th August 2022.
With under 50 days to go until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the full complement of swimmers and divers set to represent Team Scotland has been announced.
24 swimmers and seven divers are confirmed, including the pre-selected Duncan Scott and James Heatly.
Ross Murdoch, already with a full set of Commonwealth Games medals after gold and bronze at Glasgow 2014 and silver four years ago, will be looking to add to his tally. Fellow Gold Coast medallists Mark Szaranek and Stephen Milne also go in their third Games, while backstroker Craig McNally makes an impressive fourth appearance for Team Scotland. Lucy Hope and Cassie Wild-Richards will compete at their third and second Games respectively after making their Olympic debuts in Tokyo.
There are also a number of young talents making the team for the first time, with 13 of the 24 swimmers making their debut. Sixteen year old Sam Downie is the youngest athlete to date named to Team Scotland for Birmingham 2022.
In the para-swimming events Toni Shaw returns for a second Games full of confidence after bronze in the 400m Freestyle S9 at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Currently competing at the World Para-Swimming Championships in Portugal, she has already claimed bronze in the 100m Butterfly S9.
Having raced to the World title in the 100m Butterfly S12 just days ago, triple Paralympic medallist Stephen Clegg makes his Commonwealth debut. He joins sister Libby on Team Scotland for the Birmingham Games, who will make her para-cycling debut following athletics gold in the T12 100m at Glasgow 2014.
In Diving, three of the seven athletes return from Gold Coast 2018, with Grace Reid making a fourth Games appearance, having made her first at the age of just 13 at Delhi 2010. Her stunning gold in the 1m Springboard event at Gold Coast was the first ever diving medal for a Scottish female diver and Scotland’s first diving gold for 60 years. Reid, along with James Heatly, will compete later this month at the World Championships in Budapest.
Kara Hanlon said: “I couldn’t be more proud to represent the Western Isles on Team Scotland, and I think I will be the first swimmer to have made the team. So it’s a massive achievement for me and for them and I’ll see how far I can get.
“It’s nice to know that I grew up somewhere where there was may be less access to facilities and things, but I still made it to where I am today. Having missed out on selection for the Gold Coast by such a small margin, I think it makes it even sweeter.”
Archie Goodburn commented, “I’m super proud! It makes me think back to my first time representing Scotland at a junior level.
We were given this all blue tracksuit, and I just have this memory of trying it on in my room with my mum. Now it will be a much bigger version of that blue tracksuit. I just can’t wait to represent the flag with all the rest of the guys down in Birmingham”
Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a mix of experience and youth to Team Scotland with this exciting team of swimmers and divers.
“Aquatics is one of Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games sports and, with the new facility at Sandwell providing a great venue, I’m sure we can count on a fantastic atmosphere and tough competition in Birmingham.
“Congratulations to all athletes selected and we look forward to seeing them compete in under 50 days time.”
Ally Whike, Team Scotland Aquatics Team Leader said: “I’m delighted with the make up of the Aquatics Team selected to compete for Team Scotland in Birmingham.
“With 60% (of the team) competing at the Games for the first time, there is an excellent blend of newcomers and experienced campaigners. The competition in Birmingham will be world class and we know that the athletes are looking forward to the challenge and will be focusing on giving their best performance of the season when it counts”.
Swimming and para-swimming competition takes place from 29 July to 3 August and diving from 4 August to 8 August at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
SELECTED ATHLETES:
Swimming & Para-Swimming
Craig Benson
Tain Bruce
Oliver Carter
Stephen Clegg
Evie Davis
Sam Downie
Scott Gibson
Archie Goodburn
Kara Hanlon
Lucy Hope
Evan Jones
Abby Kane
Keanna MacInnes
Holly McGill
Craig McNally
Stephen Milne
Ross Murdoch
Emma Russell
Duncan Scott
Katie Shanahan
Toni Shaw
Mark Szaranek
Martyn Walton
Cassie Wild-Richards
Diving
Ross Beattie
Cameron Gammage
James Heatly
Clara Kerr
Gemma McArthur
Angus Menmuir
Grace Reid
An exciting Scotland women’s hockey squad has been selected to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this July.
The squad, captained by Borders-born Olympic bronze medallist Sarah Robertson, is a strong blend between experience and youth talent. There are nine players making their Commonwealth Games debut alongside nine players who played at Gold Coast.
Scotland has been drawn in Women’s Pool B with Australia; New Zealand; South Africa; and Kenya in Birmingham and go into the tournament in high spirits.
Sarah Robertson, who was recently announced as squad captain, will play in her third Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Robertson said, “Being captain offers a different dynamic for me and it’s a huge honour to captain the team at the Commonwealth Games. The group is in a really good place so it’s exciting moving into the summer.
“We haven’t really seen much of some of the other countries; for example Australia and New Zealand have only really been playing each other, so we’ve not had many matches against those countries. So it’s a bit of an unknown but we’re in a really good group and I think we can cause an upset.
“I think the squad is a really good blend of people who have been there and done it, and then some of the players going for the first time still have 50 or 60 caps. So we’ve got a group who have played together for quite a few years now.
“After Covid it’s so good to come together again as a team and then with other sports at a major event as Team Scotland. It’s a unique feeling, and a feeling that people have really missed, so it’s always special to wear the tartan and join together with the other sports.”
The selected squad has 18 players, including GB internationalists, Amy Costello from Edinburgh; Dundonian, Charlotte Watson; Glaswegian, Jenny Eadie; and Helensburgh native, Fiona Burnet.
It’ll be a first Games experience for talented youngsters Bronwyn Shields, from Glasgow; and Ellie Wilson, from Edinburgh; and Eve Pearson from Dunfermline.
20 year old Pearson added, “I’m absolutely buzzing. It’ll obviously be my first Commonwealth Games and my first caps as well. This is huge for me. After I joined the squad I started to believe in myself. Once I started training I took the pressure off myself and it made me able to perform to the best of my abilities.
“I feel so lucky to be playing alongside all the girls in the team; the first game against South Africa will be my first cap and that’s the game that’ll be the massive one for me.”
Scotland’s opening match against South Africa will also be extra special for Heather McEwan who was born in South Africa, and will earn her first Scotland cap in Birmingham against the country of her birth. McEwan said, “Being selected is the best feeling in the world. It’s going to be great to be there to win my first cap, but to play that game against South Africa is amazing. I’ve come a long way and I’m just so excited to be part of it.
“I think as a team we’ve really come far in our rebuild, so I’d really like to see us medalling and doing really well. It’s been part of our change in mind-set from the start, so we’re not just going to compete, we’re going to try and get a medal. I really think with this squad we can do that.”
Scotland women are in tremendous form following victories over Wales in two recent test series’, on the back of winning two of the three matches in a series against Ireland in Belfast.
Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission said, “I am absolutely delighted for all the players selected for the women’s hockey squad. Representing Scotland is incredibly special and taking part in a UK-based Games will be a very special moment for these players. There is a great mix of experience in this squad and I am looking forward to seeing the players compete in Birmingham.”
Chris Duncan, head coach of the Scotland women’s squad, said, “I’m really excited. Obviously the selection period is very tough for so many reasons but from my perspective we have selected an extremely exciting squad. There’s balance across the squad in terms of different characteristics and personalities, which I think really bring things to life, and I really feel like we’ve picked an amazingly strong squad that allows us to go down to Birmingham and make a great account of ourselves.
“Our expectation is to go and play our brand of hockey and show our brand of hockey to the world. That’s the chance you have when you play on the world stage, which is something we don’t get all the time, so we’ll go down there with high hopes to show people what we can do. If we focus on process, and do the best we can, then results will take care of themselves.
“To see other athletes competing, and be in and around the events will be great, but I already feel like there’s a real sense of team. We’ll not just be there as Scottish Hockey, we’re there as Team Scotland, and I know the success of other athletes and teams will really help push us on to try and do something special.”
The hockey competition runs from 29 July to 8 August at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre.
Players selected:
| Player | Club |
| Amy Costello | The University of Edinburgh |
| Amy Gibson | Der Club An Der Alster |
| Becky Ward | Western Wildcats |
| Bronwyn Shields | Clydesdale Western |
| Charlotte Watson | Loughborough University |
| Ellie Wilson | Watsonians |
| Eve Pearson | The University of Edinburgh |
| Fiona Burnet | Wimbledon |
| Heather McEwan | Royal Victory |
| Jennifer Eadie | Wimbledon |
| Jessica Ross | The University of Edinburgh |
| Katie Robertson (VC) | The University of Edinburgh |
| Louise Campbell | The University of Edinburgh |
| Millie Steiger | Clydesdale Western |
| Nicola Cochrane | Wimbledon |
| Robyn Collins | Surbiton |
| Sarah Jamieson | Watsonians |
| Sarah Robertson (C) | Hampstead and Westminster |
| Reserves | |
| Bex Condie | University of Birmingham |
| Emily Dark | Watsonians |
| Fiona Semple | Clydesdale Western |
| Jess Buchanan | Athletic Terrassa |
| Laura Swanson | Der Club An Der Alster |
Team Scotland continues its countdown to Birmingham 2022 by announcing five selections in para-athletics with double Paralympic medallist Sammi Kinghorn MBE celebrating selection for her third Commonwealth Games.
Double world champion Kinghorn, from Melrose, who won silver over 400m and bronze over 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, will race the T54 1500m in Birmingham for a third consecutive Games, and is hoping to win her first Commonwealth medal after a fifth place at Glasgow 2014 and fourth in Gold Coast.
Sammi is joined by fellow Tokyo Paralympian Melanie Woods, marathon athlete Sean Frame and sprinters Ross Paterson and Alexander Thomson, with all four making their Team Scotland debuts.
Melanie, from Glasgow, goes alongside Sammi in the T54 1500m, having raced to fifth place in Tokyo in the 800m, while Sean – the Glaswegian who won the wheelchair race at the 2021 Great North Run – goes the full distance in the T54 Marathon in Birmingham. Ross, from Paisley, and Alexander, from Hamilton, who are both European medallists over 400m, will go head-to-head in the T38 100m.
Talking about her selection, Sammi said “I’m very excited as it is going to my third Commonwealth Games. I was fifth in Glasgow and fourth in Gold Coast, so obviously my aim is to try and make it on the podium. It’s not my event as it’s the 1,500m but I’m feeling a lot stronger and a bit more tactically aware.
“I’m really looking forward to it and I’m incredibly lucky to have a Games in Britain where friends and family can come along and cheer me on. It’s going to be incredible.”
Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss said: “It’s brilliant to welcome Sammi back for a third Games and to see Melanie, Sean, Ross and Alexander being selected for their first on the back of impressive results over the selection period.
“With under 50 days to go, Team Scotland is really taking shape and I’m looking forward to
seeing them compete in front of a strong Scottish support in Birmingham.”
Team Scotland Athletics Team Manager Julie Mollison said: “We’re delighted five athletes have been selected by Team Scotland to compete in Birmingham and send our congratulations to them, their families, their coaches and their clubs and support teams. With the Games being in the UK, it is very exciting for everyone around these athletes as there is a chance to travel to Birmingham to cheer them on.
“The overall selection reflects progress by these athletes as individuals and arguably also more opportunities and more integration by our clubs to create the right pathway for para athletes.”
Athletes selected:
Sean Frame
Sammi Kinghorn MBE
Ross Paterson
Alexander Thomson
Melanie Woods
The athletics competition takes place at the re-developed Alexander Stadium in Birmingham from 2nd to 6th August. The marathon takes place on 30 July, starting in Smithfield and finishing in Victoria Square in Birmingham.
Team Scotland has marked 50 days to go to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with the selection announcement of 50 athletes across seven sports including badminton, boxing, judo, netball, para-powerlifting, squash and triathlon.
Gold medalllists at Glasgow 2014, Sarah Adlington and Chris Sherrington lead an exciting line-up of 11 judoka and, should either repeat that achievement in Birmingham, they would become the first athlete to win two Commonwealth Games gold medals in Judo. The remaining nine judoka will all make their debut as the sport returns to the Games programme, having not been included at Gold Coast 2018.
With three Games and two medals already under her belt, Kirsty Gilmour is ready to go for further glory on the badminton courts at the NEC this summer. Having recently added a fourth European Championship medal to her tally with silver in Madrid, the Glaswegian is joined by fellow European medallists Alex Dunn and Adam Hall – who took men’s doubles silver – and return to Team Scotland after both making their debut in Gold Coast. Julie MacPherson and Eleanor O’Donnell are also back for a second Games, with a further four athletes making debuts.
Boxing holds the accolade of being the only sport in which Scotland has won at least one medal at every Games since the first edition in 1930 and the eight-strong contingent heading to Birmingham look extremely capable of upholding that record. Just a week ago, 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Sam Hickey secured Scotland’s first European Championships medal for 16 years with bronze in Armenia, with that success coming on the back of Fauldhouse boxer Reese Lynch becoming the first Scot ever to win a World Championships medal at senior level with bronze in Serbia in November.
Para-powerlifter Micky Yule will compete at his third Games and will be looking to add a Commonwealth medal to his Tokyo 2020 Paralympics bronze after fourth place in both Glasgow and Gold Coast. 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.
The squash selections combine youth with experience with Birmingham 2022 a fourth Commonwealth Games appearance for Alan Clyne and a third for Greg Lobban and Lisa Aitken, as they are named alongside Georgia Adderley, Rory Stewart and Douglas Kempsell, all making their debuts. Confidence is high after a sensational World Doubles Championships in April saw Scotland take silver and bronze in the men’s event, bronze in the mixed event and fifth place in the women’s.
Seven of the 12-stong netball team will make their Games debuts in Birmingham in a squad lead by captain Claire Maxwell and Lynsey Gallagher, both competing at their third Games. Emily Nicholl takes on the vice-captain role at her second Games, while Beth Goodwin and Niamh McCall also return from the team that took 9th place in Gold Coast.
In triathlon, Grant Sheldon, Cameron Main and Sophia Green join the already selected Beth Potter and Alison Peasgood. Sheldon will compete at his third Games, while Elgin duo Main and Green make debuts after Europe Cup podium places helped secure their selection.
Team Scotland Chef De Mission Elinor Middlemiss said: “I am delighted to welcome another 50 athletes to Team Scotland, taking our total selected so far to 119. What a special way to mark 50 days to go to the Games.
“It is a real honour to represent Scotland and I am really pleased for the athletes who have been selected. There is a real depth of experience and potential in this squad, and I have no doubt that our more experienced members of the team will actively support those who are making their Games debut.
“The excitement for Birmingham 2022 is now really starting to build and I am really looking forward to watching our athletes in action this summer and hearing the roar of support from our fans in the stands.”
Judoka Sarah Adlington said “It’s a great honour to be selected to represent Scotland at any event but even more so at a Commonwealth Games, I am really excited to compete! It is also another opportunity for the public to see some world class judo. I know there will be a lot of Scottish support in the crowd and this will be great for the all the Scottish athletes.”
Speaking about his selection Micky Yule said “I am very proud to be selected for my third Commonwealth Games, having just missed out on a medal in Glasgow and Gold Coast. I am extremely motivated to a win a medal in Birmingham.”
Thistles captain Claire Maxwell said “We are so excited as a collective to have been chosen to represent Team Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. To be named as Captain of the Scottish Thistles is a real honour and I’m excited to lead such an exciting squad. This team is full of ambitious and driven athletes, and we are working hard to meet our aim of finishing within the top 8.”
SELECTED ATHLETES:
Badminton (9)
Alexander Dunn
Kirsty Gilmour
Christopher Grimley
Matthew Grimley
Adam Hall
Julie MacPherson
Eleanor O’Donnell
Callum Smith
Ciara Torrance
Boxing (8)
Sam Hickey
Tyler Jolly
Sean Lazzerini
Reese Lynch
Matthew McHale
Lennon Mulligan
Stephen Newns
Megan Reid
Judo (11)
Sarah Adlington
Finlay Allan
David Ferguson
Kirsty Marsh
Dylan Munro
Billy Rodman
Christopher Sherrington
Alexander Short
Rachel Tytler
Malin Wilson
Hannah Wood
Netball (12)
Emma Barrie
Kelly Boyle
Iona Christian
Rachel Conway
Lynsey Gallagher
Beth Goodwin
Hannah Leighton
Sarah MacPhail
Claire Maxwell
Niamh McCall
Emily Nicholl
Lauren Tait
Para-Powerlifitng (1)
Micky Yule
Squash (6)
Georgia Adderley
Lisa Aitken
Alan Clyne
Douglas Kempsell
Greg Lobban
Rory Stewart
Triathlon (3)
Sophia Green
Cameron Main
Grant Sheldon
Commonwealth Games Scotland has today announced that seven gymnasts have been selected to represent Team Scotland in Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics at this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Shannon Archer, Frank Baines, Hamish Carter, Pavel Karnejenko, Cameron Lynn and David Weir have been selected for the Artistic competition whilst Louise Christie has been selected for the Rhythmic competition.
In the Artistic competition Frank Baines, Glasgow 2014 silver medallist and 2019 Scottish Senior All-Around Champion will make a comeback from retirement to compete in his third Games, lining up alongside his bronze medal winning teammates from Gold Coast 2018 David Weir and Hamish Carter.
Completing the male squad are current Scottish champion Pavel Karnejenko from Glasgow and Cameron Lynn from West Lothian, who are both looking forward to their first Commonwealth Games experience.
Edinburgh-born two-time Scottish champion Shannon Archer returns for her second Games, after a 10th place finish in the Individual All-Around event in Gold Coast. She also achieved 5th in the Vault final and competed in the Team Event helping the team secure a 5th place finish. She made her first appearance for Team Scotland at the 2011 Youth Games, cutting her teeth on the international stage at just 13 years old.
British Championships silver medallist, Louise Christie from Aberdeen will compete in the Rhythmic competition after joining the British team at the FIG Rhythmic European Championships in Tel Aviv, Israel later this month.
Commenting on his selection, Frank said, “After Gold Coast I actually made the decision to retire and had stopped training. However, when lockdown restrictions were lifted in 2020, I was seeing the guys I’d been to Australia with getting back into training and I realised how much I missed being part of that team. My shoulders have probably got one more Games in them so I wanted to take another crack at it!
“The Team Scotland squad is so strong for 2022, there’s a great environment and everyone is so supportive. There’s such a supportive environment between all the sports, athletes, and officials. It’s a real family environment and I’m delighted to be part of that again.”
Commenting on her selection, Shannon Archer is delighted to be on Team Scotland again for the second time, “I’m so happy to be selected again. After Gold Coast I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep training or not, and then the pandemic made everything that much harder – but I’m very proud to be part of the team again this time around.
“The Gold Coast experience was incredible, and I was so close to a medal in certain apparatus so I really wanted to give it another go and see what I can deliver.
“I’ve done a lot of work in building up my abilities and skills with my new club, and I’ve also noticed a huge change in my confidence which means I feel much calmer in competition than I ever have before.
“It’s a very proud moment to be selected for Team Scotland again and wear the saltire leotard. We don’t have the opportunity to represent the country very often so that makes it even more special!”
Speaking of the strong team heading to Birmingham, Team Scotland Chef de Mission Elinor Middlemiss said “We’ve got a real mix of experience within the team, from athletes who have competed on the Commonwealth stage before through to those heading for their first Games experience. The gymnastics competitions are always one of the highlights of the Games and I am looking forward to seeing this squad compete in the Arena Birmingham this summer.”
SELECTED ATHLETES:
Shannon Archer
Frank Baines
Hamish Carter
Louise Christie
Pavel Karnejenko
Cameron Lynn
David Weir
The Artistic Gymnastics competition runs from 29 July to 2 August, with the Rhythmic Gymnastics following from 4 to 6 August in Arena Birmingham.
Commonwealth Games Scotland has today announced that Lynne Beattie and Melissa Coutts have been selected to represent Team Scotland in women’s beach volleyball at this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The selection comes after the pair secured Scotland’s qualification for the Games after a brilliant second-place finish in last summer’s Eurozone Commonwealth Games qualifier, which was hosted by Scottish Volleyball at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh.
Coutts and Beattie, who both took to the sand in Australia in 2018, faced a tough Cypriot team to secure Scotland’s qualification and the second place finish was enough to grant the Scots back-to-back Games qualifications.
The Edinburgh based pairing, who are currently ranked 140 in the world, have been a partnership since 2015, training and competing for Edinburgh Beach Volleyball Club in Portobello.
They reached the quarter-finals of the beach volleyball competition in Gold Coast 2018, losing to the Canadian pairing of Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan, who would go on to claim gold in the competition.
Talking about her selection for Team Scotland, Coutts said, “It is great to be selected for Team Scotland for a second consecutive Commonwealth Games.
“We’ve got many great memories from four years ago, and the atmosphere was really special in Australia, but with it being a UK-based games I’m sure this one will be even better. I can’t wait.”
Beattie, who captained Team GB in indoor volleyball at the London 2012 Olympic Games said, “As soon as the last Commonwealth Games finished we were back on tour immediately because we knew how important it was to contribute to qualification the next time around.
“It has been a long process but this was obviously the ultimate goal and we achieved it, so we are very excited.
“Being part of the wider Team Scotland is a special experience – representing your country, mixing with athletes from other sports, cheering them all on. Being part of a large team isn’t something we get to do very often so we’ll be looking to make the most of it.”
Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss said “I am delighted to welcome Lynne and Melissa back to Team Scotland for their second Commonwealth Games. It is fitting that they have ben selected after securing the team’s qualification for Birmingham 2022.
“The Beach Volleyball competition will be played in a stunning venue in the middle of Birmingham and I am looking forward to watching the team out on the sand. I have no doubt that the Scottish public will get behind the girls both at home and in Birmingham.”
The beach volleyball competition runs from 30 July to 7 August and will be held at the former Smithfield Market at a temporary Games venue in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
A star-studded cycling line-up has been selected to represent Team Scotland at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which get underway in just over 60 days’ time.
Spearheading the selection are Olympic and World champion Katie Archibald MBE and Paralympic and World champion Neil Fachie MBE. The duo are looking to sweep all before them in what will feel like a home Games for the pair, who spend a large amount of their time training south of the border with the Great Britain Cycling Team.
Joining them will be Olympic medallists Neah Evans and Jack Carlin, who like Milngavie native Archibald, also won medals at the Commonwealth Games four years ago. Evans will join Archibald in the women’s track endurance events, whilst Carlin will look to better the Olympic silver and bronze he won in Tokyo last summer – a breakthrough moment in the young Glaswegian’s career.
Sticking with the track, Katie’s older brother John will also go in the endurance events, alongside Highlander Kyle Gordon and Mark Stewart. Four years ago the Archibald siblings made history as they became the first brother-sister pair to win medals for Team Scotland at the same Commonwealth Games, on the same day.
The Gold Coast Games also saw Dundonian Stewart provide one of the Scottish highlights with his heroic victory in the Points Race. Since 2018, Stewart has started a transition to the road and so will also be focusing on the Men’s Road Race in Birmingham.
Debutant Finn Crockett will also take to the road after getting the nod after multiple victories so far this year, including in the UCI 1.2 Melton-Rutland Classic. On the female side 21-year-old Olympian Anna Shackley is likely to lead the charge alongside Katie Archibald, with the Milngavie pair boasting complementary strengths.
Isla Short is another name to watch out for, having improved markedly since a fifth-place finish in the Mountain Bike Cross Country four years ago. The reigning British champion from Peebles was fifth at the World Championships in 2020, and on her day can challenge anyone. On the men’s side, former World Junior champion Charlie Aldridge makes his Commonwealth Games debut, with the Crieff man also aiming to be at the sharp end of proceedings.
Back on the track, Paralympic, World and European champion Neil Fachie is looking to keep hold of his para-cycling Commonwealth crown after blistering form in Australia which saw the Aberdonian set not only a world record, but also a Games record and take home two gold medals.
Aileen McGlynn OBE who has won three Paraylmpic golds and four World titles across a decorated career, is yet to clinch a Commonwealth Gold having picked up silver and bronze medals in Glasgow and Gold Coast respectively. The Paisley cyclist has a gold firmly in her sights to complete the medal set.
Rounding out a trio of visually impaired athletes in the para-sport events is cycling newcomer Libby Clegg MBE. A well known name in British and Scottish sport, Clegg won double gold in the 100m and 200m sprint events at Rio 2016. After giving birth to son Edward in 2019, she returned to the athletics track for the final time in Tokyo before hanging up her spikes and starting a new adventure in cycling.
Fachie, McGlynn and Clegg will be piloted by Lewis Stewart, Jenny Holl and Ellie Stone, the former two having won medals last summer in Tokyo. Birmingham will also see a welcome return of a Women’s Team Sprint squad with Lauren Bell, Iona Moir and Lusia Steele flying the Scottish flag.
Commenting on the strength of the squad selected, Scottish Cycling’s Performance Director David Somerville said: “Our 2018 team set the bar very high, winning 10 medals, four of which were gold, but I have every confidence in the calibre and character of the team we have been able to pick this time around.
“From household names to Commonwealth Games debutants, we have an amazing mix of youth and experience, who are all equally hungry to leave their mark in Birmingham.
“COVID has taught us a lot, but one thing it has only reinforced is our athletes desire to represent Scotland. We will now go about our preparations over the next two months with laser-like focus and I look forward to seeing this team compete with pride and passion in Birmingham.”
Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss added: “I am absolutely delighted for the cyclists named in the Team Scotland squad for Birmingham this summer. There is a great mix of hugely experienced riders and Games first-timers, showing we have a hugely talented team and real strength in the squad.
“Cycling is always a great sport to watch and I am looking forward to hearing the crowd get behind our riders in the Lee Valley Velodrome, on the road in Warwick and in the hills in Cannock Chase Forest.”
Team Scotland cycling team announced to date:
Aileen McGlynn OBE
Anna Shackley
Charlie Aldridge
Ellie Stone
Finn Crockett
Isla Short
Iona Moir
Jack Carlin
Jenny Holl
John Archibald
Katie Archibald MBE
Kyle Gordon
Lauren Bell
Lewis Stewart
Libby Clegg MBE
Lusia Steele
Mark Stewart
Neil Fachie MBE
Sean Flynn
Latest news
Commonwealth Games Scotland, in partnership with the Team Scotland Youth Trust and sportscotland, is delighted to announce our group of mentors for the 2022 Achieve Programme.
The Achieve Programme enables young athletes and coaches from a range of sports to gain critical knowledge and experience of a multi-sport environment.
First run in 2010, when 45 young athletes and coaches travelled to the Dehli Commonwealth Games, Achieve has since seen a further 90 participants go through the programme. Many have since made the step-up to compete or coach for Team Scotland at a Commonwealth Games.
Returning for the Birmingham Games, Achieve 2022 will aim to propel more future stars onto sporting success, while also helping them develop a host of vital and transferrable life skills.
The programme is led by Achieve Director Kevin Moran, who participated in Achieve 2010 before representing Team Scotland in Squash at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.
He is supported by Lead Mentor Kieran Achara MBE, part of Scotland’s 2018 Basketball side and a former GB Basketball captain, Olympian and most-capped player.
A further 12 mentors have been appointed, with an impressive range of backgrounds and experiences to call on:
Ailsa Wylie – a sportscoltand Lead Manager for School & Community Sport, who competed for Team Scotland at Hockey in 2010 and 2014.
Bob Easson – Achieve Mentor 2010, Team Scotland Rugby Sevens Assistant Coach in 2006 and Boxing Team Manager in 2014.
Cameron Brodie – Performance Lifestyle Advisor at sportscotland Institute of Sport. Competed for Team Scotland in Swimming in 2010 and 2014, being part of the silver-medal winning relay teams at both.
Ciaran O’Brien – Head of Sport, University West of Scotland. Former Swimming Coach at sportscotland Institute of Sport and coached at four World University Games.
Emma Brunning – Coach and Mentor. Contractor for British and World Triathlon, Premier League and UK Coaching.
Gillian Sanders – UK-based lawyer, represented South Africa in Triathlon at two Commownealth Games and three Olympic Games.
Jay Runga – Mentor Developer, Scottish Gymnastics. Young Athlete Coach mentor, Scottish Disability Sports.
Jenny Davis – Business Improvement Consultant, former British and Scottish cyclist and Judo international. Competed for Team Scotland in Cycling in 2010 (winning silver) and 2014.
Kaz Cuthbert – Physiotherapist, represented Team Scotland in Hockey in 2010 and as captain in 2018.
Megan Richardson – Sport & Active Health Coordinator, Scottish Student Sport. Former Scottish National Badminton Squad player and leader with Youth Sport Trust.
Ross Walker – University of Edinburgh Academy of Sport, British Council. Competition Manager for the Homeless World Cup Foundation’s inaugural Four Nations Cup. Former Scottish international Basketball player, PhD student and tutor, University of Edinburgh.
Seonaid McIntosh – Represented Team Scotland at Shooting in 2014 and 2018, winning a bronze medal in the latter. World and European Champion and Olympian.
For more information please email info@teamscotland.scot.