Birmingham 2022 Achieve Programme Selections
Team Scotland has announced the Achieve programme participants for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The programme which began in 2010 aims to propel athletes and coaches from diverse backgrounds onto sporting success by preparing them for participation in the Commonwealth Youth Games, Commonwealth Games and other major sports events.
Men’s artistic gymnast Euan McLellan (West Lothian) who reached selection standards for this year’s Games, now has the opportunity to be in Birmingham this summer, thanks to the Achieve programme. He will be able to experience a major multi-sport event alongside 65 other athletes and coaches as he continues to develop on the Scottish Gymnastics national performance programme.
Euan is joined by coaches Stephen Tonge from West Lothian (men’s artistic) and Lauren Graham from Dynamic (women’s artistic) who both have a vital regional role in developing the artistic pathway. Laura Donaldson (rhythmic) who is the technical committee pathway coordinator and member of the performance pathway programme coaching team for junior and espoir gymnasts is also selected to learn from the programme’s mentors.
Laura said:
It was a huge compliment to be nominated for the programme. I was a volunteer at the Glasgow 2014 Games, and it gave me a new perspective on how a multi-sport competition is run. I loved that experience, getting to meet so many new people and learning from them and their different backgrounds.
“I’ve been involved in rhythmic gymnastics since I was six years old, and this is a really exciting opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting a better understanding of the running of a major competition to add to my knowledge of rhythmic gymnastics – seeing the impact of a home Games on gymnasts back in their clubs. It’s great to be able to take what I learn in Birmingham back to the pathway and inspire gymnasts to look ahead after seeing gymnasts they train with on TV.”
Previous members of the programme include David Weir (City of Glasgow) in 2014 who went on to win team bronze at Gold Coast 2018 and is part of the men’s artistic team for Birmingham 2022. Coaches John and Becki Campbell (West Lothian) were also part of the programme that year and have coaching roles with Team Scotland for this summer’s Games.
Sam Hendrikson, Scottish Gymnastics head of performance and events said: “I’m delighted that Euan, Stephen, Lauren and Laura have been selected for the Achieve programme. We are grateful to Team Scotland for giving gymnastics this opportunity.
“As we have seen from 2014’s programme, David, Becki and John have since been selected for Team Scotland so the learning from the experience is valuable. I look forward to hearing how they get on and how they feel it will benefit them looking ahead to future Games cycles and other international events.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland CEO Jon Doig added: “I’d like to extend my welcome to the participants and mentors."
Your first Games experience can be a step into the unknown, so this programme is a key part of our strategy to prepare athletes and support staff to perform for Team Scotland at future events.
“Importantly it also develops a lot of key core skills, so even if the athletes and coaches never make that final step, they will still hugely benefit from their experience at Birmingham 2022.”
Jay Runga, Scottish Gymnastics’ workforce development manager has already been announced as one of the 13 mentors on the Achieve programme in Birmingham. With a mentor-led approach and an immersive learning experience in the Games environment, Achieve participants also develop a host of vital and transferable life skills: from team working, interpersonal and communication skills to organisation, self-management and self-awareness.
Congratulations to Euan, Stephen, Lauren and Laura on their selection for Team Scotland’s Achieve programme. We look forward to following their Games journey in Birmingham from 28 July to 8 August.
Scottish Gymnastics will share news and updates from our team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games across our digital channels. The artistic gymnastics competition runs from 29 July to 2 August, with the rhythmic gymnastics following from 4 to 6 August in Arena Birmingham.
> Meet the Birmingham 2022 Team Scotland Gymnasts
> Meet the Birmingham 2022 Team Scotland women's artistic team
> Check out the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games day-by-day schedule