Scottish Commonwealth Games Team banking on success

Thursday 24 March 2005

With the 2006 Commonwealth Games just a year away, First Minister Jack McConnell joined athletes and officials from the Scottish Commonwealth Games Team to celebrate the first major sponsor for the team preparing for Melbourne – Clydesdale Bank.

Clydesdale today announced a significant six-figure investment package for the team, which will help to build on the success in Manchester in 2002. It is also the first major contribution to the Commonwealth Games Endowment Fund established by the First Minister following the team’s success in Manchester.

The First Minister said: "When I launched the endowment fund after the Manchester Games I said that I wanted all of Scotland to pull together to make sure that our next generation of athletes had the opportunity to experience the highs of a major championship. I am therefore delighted that Clydesdale Bank has joined the Scottish team as we build for the next games. Their support will be invaluable as the athletes get ready to go for gold in Melbourne next year."

Welcoming the Bank’s commitment to the team, Louise Martin CBE, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said: "The Commonwealth Games is the largest multi-sport event in which Scotland competes as a nation in its own right, providing a unique platform for our athletes to perform. We are delighted that Clydesdale Bank has agreed to be one of our major sponsors for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Its support will help fund the Team’s extensive preparation for such a major international championship and the costs associated with taking a Scottish Team to the Games.

"Competing in Australia in our winter will be a huge challenge, but our Commonwealth Youth Games Team who went to Australia last December, proved just what can be done when a team is well prepared and athletes believe in themselves. I am sure that with the support of new sponsors like Clydesdale Bank we will give the team every possible chance of success."

"To stand on the podium in Manchester and get a gold medal for Scotland was one of the best moments of my life. But in addition to personal effort and commitment it takes a great deal of support from others to make a successful team"

David Thorburn, Clydesdale Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, proudly commented: "Clydesdale Bank’s partnership with the Scottish Commonwealth Games Team, as it embarks on its journey towards Melbourne 2006, presents a great opportunity for our staff, customers and the communities in which we operate to share in the inspiration and excitement of the Commonwealth Games.

"In many ways, this partnership symbolises a resurgence in our brand, renewed pride within our team, and the drive for higher standards of performance across our business."

It will be a busy summer of sport, with all athletes striving to meet the selection standards for their events. Amongst the Scottish Commonwealth Games athletes set to benefit from the Bank’s investment and attending today’s announcement were gymnastics gold medallist on rings, Steve Frew, 400m silver medallist Lee McConnell and up and coming swimmer Scott Houston, who won five medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia last December.

Commenting Steve Frew said: "To stand on the podium in Manchester and get a gold medal for Scotland was one of the best moments of my life. But in addition to personal effort and commitment it takes a great deal of support from others to make a successful team. That is why the support of Clydesdale Bank announced today is so welcome."

1. The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) is the organisation responsible for selecting and preparing the team representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games. CGCS is financed through sponsorship and fundraising activities, grant support from sportscotland and following the 2002 Games, an Endowment Trust Fund initiated by the First Minister Jack McConnell.
2. Scotland has competed in every Games since the first British Empire Games in 1930 winning a total of 301 medals (71 gold, 87 silver, 143 bronze).
3. The 2002 team was the second most successful Scottish Team ever (next to Edinburgh in 1986), winning 30 medals: 6 gold; 8 silver and 16 bronze finishing in 10th place overall in the medal table.
4. The XVIII Commonwealth Games will take place in Melbourne, Australia 15-26 March 2006. Scotland will be competing in 15 out of 16 sports (not netball) at the Games: Aquatics; Athletics; Badminton; Basketball; Boxing; Cycling; Gymnastics; Hockey; Lawn Bowls; Rugby 7s; Shooting; Squash; Table Tennis; Triathlon; Weightlifting. There will also be events for elite athletes with disabilities in swimming and athletics.
5. The selection period for athletes will run from 1st January – 16th September 2005. Athletes achieving the selection standard will be nominated to CGCS by their respective governing body of sport.  CGCS will then consider all nominations against the sport’s selection policy and the full team will be announced by 3 November 2005. However meeting the selection standard does not in itself guarantee a place on the team. All selections and final entries will be dependent on evidence of form and fitness from 1st November 2005. A copy of the overall team and individual sport selection policy is available from CGCS.
6. The total cost of preparing and taking a team to represent Scotland at the 2006 Commonwealth Games is estimated around £500,000.
7. Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and has a proud history of innovation and support for Scottish industry and communities. With 2,800 staff and around 230 branches, Clydesdale is one of Scotland’s largest banks. In 1987, Clydesdale Bank became a member of the National Australia Bank Group. In March 2005, Clydesdale Bank became the proud sponsor of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Team as it prepares to participate in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.