Sports fans can now help promising young athletes every time they buy Team Scotland merchandise at the Glasgow 2014 Games. A portion of all royalties from Team Scotland purchases will go to the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust which nurtures the next generation of Commonwealth sporting stars.
The new official charity partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Trust was launched on Thursday 19 December 2013 at the Scottish School of Sport at Bellahouston.
Gold Medallist Steve Frew (sitting) surrounded by young athletes who are going for gold: , Fabian Goldie, hockey; Shannon Byrne, swimming, Eleanor O'Donnell, badminton; Joseph Amouzou, athletics. Photograph Copyright: Warren Media 2013
Supporting the new partnership was Scottish gymnast and first ever Commonwealth Gold medallist, Steve Frew who said: ‘I would urge everyone to get behind the fundraising activities and help young athletes achieve their dreams.’
The Trust invests in promising young athletes through scholarships, support of Commonwealth Games athletes at the University of Stirling and support of junior Commonwealth Championships for specific sports held in Scotland.
It has provided small awards to some Scottish athletes in the lead up to the 2014 Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games.
So far, the Trust has raised funds mainly through donations and fundraising events such as an annual awards dinner. Now, it aims to expand its activities by creating a Glasgow 2014 Fund. This will be used bring young Commonwealth athletes and coaches to Scotland and to send young Scottish athletes and coaches to Commonwealth countries to build on relationships and to develop understanding and co-operation from the 2014 Games. The aim is to enhance the spirit of the Commonwealth movement and sporting abilities in young athletes.
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University and Chair of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust, said: ‘This charity partnership will deliver real benefits to the next generation of athletes through a range of fundraising activities. Every penny raised will assist young athletes to progress to represent their country at future Games and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.’
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: ‘When we bid for the Games we wanted to ensure that not only would Scottish athletes have long term benefits but also that the close relationship between Scotland and the athletes and coaches from across the Commonwealth could continue to flourish, as we have much to learn from each other. This exciting new initiative will make this aspiration a reality.’
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 added: ‘Glasgow 2014 is very proud to support the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust as one of our charity partners. Through the Commonwealth Games we share a common ambition to engage and empower young people to build an interest in and stay active in sport throughout their lives. Royalties from Glasgow 2014 sale of Team Scotland merchandise will go to the charity. By buying these things, people will be giving actual support to Team Scotland and its aspiring hopefuls.’
The full range of merchandise is available online from the official Glasgow 2014 shop at shop.glasgow2014.com and this will expand as the Games approach.
The 20th Commonwealth Games will be held from 23 July to 3 August 2014 in Glasgow with some events in Edinburgh. They will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events. Around 4500 athletes will take part. More than 1,000,000 tickets will be sold. An army of 15,000 volunteers is being selected and trained.
