15 March 2011
New search launched for potential Commonwealth competitors
sportscotland institute of sport today (Tuesday 15 March) joined with Scottish Disability Sport (SDS),to launch a new initiative to find potential medalists for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the sport of powerlifting.
It comes as part of the Gold4Glasgow initiative, designed to unearth individuals from all walks of life with the capability and aptitude to compete in the home Games.
This is the first Gold4Glasgow programme to focus solely on budding Para-Sport competitors and is open to men and women over the age of 16 with varying disabilities.
Set up to complement existing talent pathways, the programme deploys innovative and proven mental and physical tests to help identify candidates with the qualities needed to reach the top. It includes identifying athletes who currently compete in one sport but may be better placed in an alternative event and encouraging trials by talented individuals outwith formal avenues into sport.
The initiative is working to fast-track the entry and development of more Scottish disability powerlifters into existing Scottish and UK programmes to achieve medal success at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and where possible at the 2012 London Paralympics.
Disability powerlifting consists singularly of the bench press, which requires athletes to lie flat and make approved lifts of increasing weight. In partnership with Scottish Disability Sport and British Weightlifting, it has been identified as a sport with medal potential.
Ruari Davidson, Performance Manager at SDS said “Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to be working in partnership with the sportscotland institute of sport on this innovative talent initiative. Glasgow 2014 represents a hugely exciting opportunity for athletes with a disability and as such we are committed to finding the next generation of Scottish performance athletes.
“Gold4Glasgow will provide individuals with an ideal opportunity to show they have what it takes to succeed in elite sport and we would urge anyone who feels they have the necessary attributes to apply.”
Successful candidates of this Gold4Glasgow initiative will get the opportunity to work with coaches from the GB Powerlifting team and benefit from individually tailored support from the sportscotland institute of sport.
Providing an exciting opportunity for people to show they have what it takes in this demanding and dynamic sport, the assessment event will take place in May 2011. Prior to this, all applicants will be sent an information pack with details of the project and what selection for the programme entails.
Tony Stanger, talent manager at sportscotland institute of sport, said: “Following the success of our previous triathlon, road cycling, track cycling, and judo Gold4Glasgow talent projects, sportscotland institute of sport is excited to launch its first initiative in disability powerlifting.”
“We are more convinced than ever that by helping to provide an opportunity for determined and committed people to represent Scotland at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, we are expanding participation in high level sports. We would encourage anyone to get in touch via the website if they think they have what it takes!”
Gold4Glasgow talent identification events
A series of assessment events have been held for specific sports to attract potential athletes to fast-track programmes
These sports were identified with a range of criteria being taken into account such as the number of Commonwealth Games medals available in each event – clear medal opportunities, and have included track cycling, triathlon, Judo, and road cycling.
Scottish Disability Sport
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the national governing body for all disability sports at all levels.
sportscotland institute of sport
The institute of sport is the high performance arm of sportscotland
At the sportscotland institute of sport the clear focus is on preparing Scotland's best athletes to perform on the world stage. The institute provides high performance expertise to sport and athletes in Scotland
The institute is working with its partners to build greater success for Scottish sport. Its vision is Scotland consistently winning on the world stage
Teams of expert practitioners work together to manage and deliver cutting edge programmes in high performance management, performance coaching, programme planning, sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and career and lifestyle guidance
Working in partnership with National Governing Bodies of Sport, the institute delivers support through the institute network which is agreed nationally and delivered locally.
The institute’s high performance network partners include - Scottish governing bodies of sport including Scottish Cycling, Commonwealth Games Scotland, UK Sport and its UK World Class Talent Team, British Olympic Association & ParalympicsGB
Successful athletes who have benefitted from the institute’s support include Sir Chris Hoy, Andy Murray, Katherine Grainger and Hannah Miley