Competing at the highest level of sport is a real team effort and nowhere is that more evident than at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
A dedicated team of six sportscotland staff have joined colleagues from Commonwealth Games Scotland, Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport (SGBs) and wider partners to form the ‘Team Behind the Team’ for Team Scotland at the Games.
There have already been many highlights for the 49 Team Scotland athletes who are competing in all seven of the sports on the Trinbago 2023 programme (Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Netball, Rugby 7s, Swimming and Triathlon).
Medal success
Just yesterday, the men’s rugby 7s team became the first Scottish team ever to win a team medal at a Commonwealth or Commonwealth Youth Games when they secured a historic gold with a 25-20 victory over a strong Fiji side.
There have been multiple medals in Swimming, Triathlon and Cycling while 14-year-old Lidya Woldeselassie, Team Scotland’s youngest athlete at Trinbago 2023, reached the final in the T35-38 100m in the first ever para-sport event at a Commonwealth Youth Games.
And these fantastic athletes have been supported along the way by the Team Behind the Team, including several members of the sportscotland staff.
With roles including General Team Manager, Chief Medical Officer, Physiotherapists and Media Officer, the Team Behind The Team provide unique support to all of the athletes within Team Scotland.
General Team Manager Vikki Bunce said: “I’m really proud to be part of Team Scotland for the Trinbago 2023 Games. This is a different role for me having been at previous Games as an athlete and assistant hockey coach. I hope to use those experiences to support the team well out there and help them have an enjoyable and positive experience.”
Lead physiotherapist David Brandie said: “The Commonwealth Youth Games are a wonderful opportunity for emerging athletes but also provide us, as support staff, with a tremendous development opportunity. I am looking forward to seeing all the selected athletes and support staff getting everything they can from the experience.”
The sportscotland support staff have also been integral to the planning and logistics for the Games, with the institute of sport and high-performance teams working extremely hard to make sure that Scotland’s athletes received the best preparation for the Games.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “Alongside our partners including Team Scotland and SGBs, the sportscotland institute of sport, high-performance and wider teams, have been working hard to support the young athletes at Trinbago 2023. The professional and skilled group of staff working as part of the Team Behind the Team are an outstanding example of the support that is provided week in and week out to ensure athletes are prepared for competition.’’
A full list of the Team Behind The Team:
General Team Manager Vikki Bunce
Chief Medical Officer Dr Victoria Campbell
Physiotherapists David Brandie, Sarah Chambers and Catriona Sloan
Media Officer Niamh Barrie
