50 days to go until the Commonwealth Youth Games
There are only 50 days to go until Trinidad and Tobago hosts the Commonwealth Youth Games, and the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) would like to wish Team Wales the very bet of luck!
The Games, which take place in the twin island nation from 4-11 August, will see 72 nations around the Commonwealth compete across seven sports this summer.
Team Wales will include 43 athletes and 20 members of staff, with the full team announcement made at the end of this month.
CGW President Helen Phillips commented:
“Firstly, I would like to thank all the sports for their dedication in preparing the athletes for the youth Games. It’s been six years since Bahamas 2017, so we are all ready to see the talented young athletes in Wales compete on the Commonwealth stage.
“With just 50 days to go, I would like to wish all the athletes and support staff the best of luck in the final stages of preparation ahead of Trinbago 2023.”
Trinbago 2023 will see more than 1,000 athletes and para-athletes, between the ages of 14-18, from the 72 nations and territories, participate in a total of seven sports:
• Aquatics (Swimming)
• Athletics and Para Athletics
• Cycling (Road Race, Time Trial and Track)
• Triathlon
• FAST5 Netball
• Rugby Sevens
• Beach Volleyball
Team Wales will have athletes competing across 4 of the sports (Athletics, Swimming, Cycling and Women’s Rugby Sevens) with each of the sports having a team leader.
They include former Commonwealth 400m hurdler Rhys Williams for athletics; experienced Performance coach Graeme Antwhistle will lead the swimmers; Wales’ Sevens coach Jonathan Hooper returns to the youth Games with the Women’s team, hoping to repeat history and bring home another medal; and Academy coach Rob Partridge will be the Cycling team leader.
Matt Cosgrove, Chef de Mission for Team Wales stated:
“Now that we’ve hit the 50 days to go milestone, preparations are really gathering pace. In a few days’ time the final athletes who will represent Wales will be selected. They will then be fine tuning their training to hit Trinbago in peak condition.
“Team Wales are putting the finishing touches to their plans to ensure everything is in place to enable the athletes to perform at their best. I can’t wait to see them do Wales proud at what I’m sure it will be a spectacular event.”
Wales Women’s Rugby Sevens team made history at the last Youth Games in Bahamas 2017, winning Wales’ first ever team sport medal (Bronze) at a Commonwealth Games.
Wales, alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Fiji and Kenya will take on defending champions Australia in the women’s competition.
Since it’s launch in 2000, the Youth Games has continued to grow to provide a unique opportunity to experience elite sport on the international stage, promote cultural understanding and create lifelong friendships across the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Games Wales Chair, Gareth Davies added:
“With 50 days to go, it’s a great opportunity to further build on the excitement towards the youth games this summer. It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since the last games in Bahamas.
“For me personally, it will be my first games as Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales, and I’m looking forward to supporting all four of the sports who will make Wales proud. I would like to wish each and every athlete who is selected the best of luck.”
The WSA is also greatly anticipating the Commonwealth Youth Games, and wish all Welsh representatives the best of luck!
