Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - Glasgow 2014’s Athletes’ Committee appoints new members

Glasgow 2014’s Athletes’ Committee appoints new members

The Athletes’ Advisory Committee (AAC) for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has appointed three new members as the Committee broadens its expertise.

Offering advice over the next three years to the Glasgow 2014 Board and Organising Committee (OC), the AAC will be responsible for providing an athlete perspective for the Games and will play a crucial advisory role in relation to Games planning. The AAC will become a key component in supporting the OC achieve its vision of a truly athlete centred and sport focused Games.

The AAC, which now has eight members, is made up of current Scottish athletes who are aiming to compete at Glasgow 2014 and former Scottish athletes who have a vast experience in competing at Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Chaired by former Scottish international hockey player Rhona Simpson, who competed in three Commonwealth Games (1998, 2002 and 2006) and twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000), the AAC appointed:

Susan Egelstaff, the current highest ranked female Badminton athlete in the United Kingdom, Susan has competed for Scotland at three Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006 and 2010) securing a Team Bronze medal in 2002 and an Individual Singles Bronze in 2006.

Neil Stirton, a current Scottish international shooting athlete, Neil has competed at two Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010), securing a silver medal in Melbourne 2006 and going better to secure Gold in Delhi 2010, along with partner Jonathon Hammond. The pair also secured Bronze in Delhi 2010, providing Neil with a full set of medals across two Games.

Frania Gillen-Buchert, a current Scottish international squash athlete, Frania has competed at two Commonwealth Games (2006 and 2010), in both singles and doubles events. Frania is also employed by Judo Scotland, providing a multi-sport perspective to the group.

The AAC will provide a perspective on behalf of all athletes and will make a number of recommendations to the Board and OC over the next three years that will help shape the overall Games experience for all athletes coming to Glasgow in 2014.

Susan Egelstaff, the highest ranked female Badminton athlete in the UK, said:

“It's really exciting to be involved in the preparations for Glasgow 2014 and being involved in the Athletes’ Advisory Committee will benefit not only myself but all the athletes coming from the Commonwealth for the Games in 2014.

“We will work closely with the Organising Committee and the Board over the next three years to ensure that athletes are represented and we will be consulted on a number of issues that will affect us all in 2014. I can't wait to see all the work coming together to produce a fantastic Games and I can't wait to play in front of my home crowd in Glasgow."

David Grevemberg, acting Chief Executive at Glasgow 2014 said:

“The Athletes’ Advisory Committee is truly valuable in our preparation for 2014 and the Committee will play a crucial role over the next three years in staying true to our vision of an athlete centred, sport focused Games.

“All the athletes involved offer a vast amount of multi-sport experience and represent a variety of sports and disciplines. All of them are passionate about Glasgow staging a great Games and we’re delighted to welcome the new members to the Committee.”

Note to Editors

1. For further information please contact Matthew Williams on 0141 287 3487.

2. Current Athletes' Advisory Committee Members are:

Rhona Simpson, a former international hockey player, Rhona competed for Scotland in three Commonwealth Games (Kuala Lumpur 1998, Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006) and twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000).

Rhona is the Athlete Representative on the Glasgow 2014 Board.

Shirley Addison, a former international Hammer Throw athlete in Athletics, Shirley competed for Scotland in two Commonwealth Games (Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006) and has also represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics (2004). Shirley was also part of the Glasgow 2014 Marketing Team which oversaw the design of the new Games identity in March 2010.

Todd Cooper, a former international swimmer, Todd competed for Scotland in two Commonwealth Games (Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006) and twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics (2004 and 2008).

Steve Frew, a former international gymnast, Steve represented Scotland and Great Britain at more than 100 international Gymnastics competitions, including five Commonwealth Games (ending in Melbourne 2006), Steve won Gold in the men’s rings in Manchester 2002 achieving the first Scottish Gymnastics Commonwealth Games Gold medal ever.

Aileen McGlynn (OBE), a current international Paralympic tandem cyclist; Aileen has competed for Great Britain at two Summer Paralympic Games (2004 and 2008). In Beijing 2008, Aileen and her tandem partner won two Gold medals in the 1km Time Trial and Individual Pursuit, setting a new world record in the Time Trial along the way.

3. Requirements for the Athletes' Advisory Committee

The Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall consist of not less than five members, together with two ex-officio appointments – specifically the appointed Athlete representative from Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The Committee will be chaired by the appointed Athletes’ representative on the Board.

Following consultation with Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Chairperson and all members and ex-officio appointments of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board and the Board shall have discretion to appoint additional members or replace existing members as it sees fit.

All members shall:

• have residency or have competed for the Host Country (Scotland); and

• have competed in one of the most recent two Commonwealth Games events; and

• be at least (16) years of age.

At least two athletes, identified as having competed in Delhi 2010 and who are preparing for Glasgow 2014, should be included on the Committee. In addition, at least one member of the Committee shall have participated in a Para-Sport at either one of the most recent two Commonwealth Games or Paralympic Games.

The OC will facilitate all Committee meetings and provide an administrator who will provide secretarial support to the Committee.