Two sportscotland staff members are set to provide mentoring advice and support to the next generation of Scotland’s athletes and coaches at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
An incredible 66 up-and-coming athletes and coaches will enjoy a multi-games experience in Birmingham later this month as part of the 2022 Achieve programme. They will be supported by a network of mentors, including sportscotland’s Lead Manager for School and Community Sport, Ailsa Wylie, and Performance Lifestyle advisor, Cameron Brodie.
Travelling to Birmingham in two groups, the Achieve participants will get a feel for a large Games environment, from attending sport sessions to taking part in bespoke workshops. First run in 2010, when 45 young athletes and coaches travelled to the Dehli Commonwealth Games, Achieve has since seen a further 90 participants go through the programme. Many have since made the step-up to compete or coach for Team Scotland.
The scheme, which is supported by sportscotland and the Team Scotland Youth Trust, aims to propel the next generation of athletes and coaches to sporting success, whilst helping them develop a host of vital and transferrable skills. They are being supported in Birmingham by by Lead Manager for School and Community Sport, Ailsa Wylie, and Performance Lifestyle Advisor, Cameron Brodie, who competed for Team Scotland in 2010 and 2014.
Alisa said: “I am always delighted when I’m able to put back into sport. The Achieve Programme is an amazing opportunity to work with up-and-coming athletes and coaches and help them learn from the Commonwealth Games experience.
“Hopefully we can help prepare them for their future experiences at a multi-sport Games, giving them a real insight and letting them learn from our current athletes and coaches. Being part of any Commonwealth Games is always an honour and a privilege so getting the chance to contribute to the Birmingham Games in this way is very special. I cannot wait to get started.”
Cameron added: “I’m delighted to be a part of the Achieve programme supporting young athletes prepare for their first Commonwealth Games appearance in Victoria 2026. What they experience in Birmingham will give them a taste for an international multi-sport games, and hopefully help them on the path to representing Scotland on the world stage!
"All the athletes and mentors involved are super excited to be heading down to take in some world class sport and cheering on all of Team Scotland.”
The programme is led by Achieve Director Kevin Moran, who participated in Achieve 2010 before representing Team Scotland in Squash at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018. He said: “We are delighted to welcome the 66 athletes and coaches onto Achieve 2022. The Achieve Programme has the potential to be a really significant step in the development of some of Scotland’s up and coming athletes and coaches, showing what it takes to be part of Team Scotland.
“It was a significant stage in my progression as an athlete and I’m sure the participants will get as much out of it as I did. We have a really strong mentor group from a diverse range of backgrounds who will pass on their knowledge and experience, and the schedule of activities will be enjoyable and challenging for the participants. We look forward to seeing everyone in Birmingham.”
Participants
Aquatics (Swimming): Lucy Grieve, Jack Milne, Bruce Halloran (Coach)
Aquatics (Diving): Libby Duke
Archery: Phyllis Pettett (Coach)
Athletics: Alessandro Schenini, Allan Hamilton (Coach)
Para-athletics: Adam Donnachie, Freya Howgate
Badminton: Rachel Andrew, Jack MacGregor
Basketball: Ronnie Cassels, Zoe Sharp, Mark Stevenson (Coach)
Beach Volleyball: Ben McHardy, Rachel Morrison
Boxing: Aaron Cullen, Brooke Neely, James Paton (Coach)
Canoeing: Ben Gallacher, Sam Leaver
Cricket: Megan McColl, Charis Scott
Cycling: Kirsty Johnston, Calum Moir, Emily Carrick Anderson, Reuben Oakley, Stevie Crowther (Coach)
Fencing: Salma Ahmad
Gymnastics (Artistic): Euan McLellan, Lauren Graham (Coach), Stephen Tonge (Coach)
Gymnastics (Rhythm): Laura Donaldson (Coach)
Hockey: Mhairi Low, Calum Douglas, Kelly Fillingham (Coach)
Judo: Sunny Doig, Gregor Miller, David Scobbie (Coach)
Lawn Bowls: Aaron Betts, Danny Porter, Beth Riva
Netball: Jazmine Moore, Gillian Thomson, Rachel Cremin (Coach)
Rowing: Amy Newton
Rugby 7s: April McKenzie, Andy Mclean, Sarah Hogwood (Coach)
Shooting: Lucy Evans
Squash: Andrew Glen, Beth Moglia, Lucy Murchie, Matt Bedwell (Coach)
Table Tennis: Danny Bajaw, Paula Callaghan, Callum Riddoch (Coach)
Triathlon: Struan Bennet, Isla Hedley, Fiona Maurer (Coach)
Weightlifting: Aiden Sheeran, Ross Sinclair, Nicola Grant (Coach)
Wrestling: Brandon English, Tracy Connell (Coach)
Achieve Director
Kevin Moran
Mentors
Kieran Achara MBE (Lead Mentor), Ailsa Wylie, Bob Easson, Cameron Broadie, Ciaran O’Brien, Emma Brunning, Gillian Sanders, Jay Runga, Jenny Davis, Kaz Cuthbert, Megan Richardson, Ross Walker, Seonaid McIntosh.
Find out more
About the athletes and support staff representing Team Scotland in Birmingham
