The British Athletes Commission (BAC) and Commonwealth Games England have entered into a partnership which will see the BAC assist with the finalisation of selection policies and Team England’s Team Member Agreement (TMA) for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Commonwealth Games England is responsible for preparing and delivering the England team across all 25 disciplines that will be contested during the Games.
The partnership will see the BAC review and feed back on all selection policies, using the organisation’s experience and expertise within cross-sport selection environments to advise on policies and provide an independent voice on panels.
The BAC will also input into Team England’s TMA, which sets out behaviours required of selected athletes when representing their country over the Games period.
Sarah Newton, the BAC’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
“Our team has varied and extensive experience working with National Governing Bodies in order to represent the needs of athletes, and it’s fantastic that Commonwealth Games England has both recognised this and taken action towards ensuring that such key policies are truly representative and as athlete-focused as possible.
“As part of this agreement, we’ll review the selection policies of all sports – whether they are in receipt of UK Sport funding or not – making sure that all those vying for selection for Team England can be assured that they will receive a consistent level of expert, passionate and thorough level of representation.”
Team England Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022, Mark England OBE, said:
“It’s really important for us to have the support of the BAC ahead of Birmingham 2022. A home Games is an incredible opportunity for us and it’s important that we consistently put athletes first in our decision making and planning.
“Performance underpins everything we do at Commonwealth Games England and we want to ensure we provide Team England athletes with the best support to perform to their highest potential, make history and inspire the nation.”
Aimee Willmott, Commonwealth Games England Board member and Deputy Chair of the Team England Athlete Advisory Group, welcomed the partnership:
“The athlete voice is absolutely critical in delivering a successful team. I’m really pleased with this partnership with the BAC and look forward to our engagement with them to ensure Team England athletes will be supported at the Birmingham 2022 home Games. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Team England athletes to compete in front of their friends and family and I’m delighted to know that their views will be considered every step of the way.”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place between July 28 and August 8. The BAC has taken proactive steps to offer a similar service to teams representing the other home nations ahead of the Games.
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About Commonwealth Games England
Team England is the highly successful team that represents the English nation at the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.
Having won over 700 medals and created a host of amazing sporting moments, Team England is the pride of the nation and demonstrates a modern, inclusive, diverse and united England.
Commonwealth Games England leads and manages the participation of Team England, at the Commonwealth Games working closely with each sport’s National Governing Body, our funding partner Sport England, and the Games’ Organising Committee.
We are the host team, in partnership with Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands, and the UK Government for the next Commonwealth Games in 2022.
England is one of only six countries to have taken part in every edition of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.
Commonwealth Games England has been responsible for preparing and delivering Team England at the Commonwealth Games since their inception in 1930 and Commonwealth Youth Games since 2000. Further information is available at https://teamengland.org
About the British Athletes Commission
The British Athletes Commission is the independent representative body of almost 1,400 elite athletes who form part of the World-Class Programmes of over 40 sports. We exist to support, represent and empower Great Britain’s elite athletes
We represent the interests of athletes by providing them with independent, confidential support and expert advice. In addition to support and advice, we work with our members to ensure the collective athlete voice is listened to and used to influence future decision-making. We also work to select and support Athlete Representatives from across the sports system to influence change. Further information is available at https://britishathletes.org
CONTACT DETAILS
Carly Baldwin
Communications Manager, British Athletes Commission
carly.baldwin@britishathletes.org
07759 369060
Carys Edwards
Media and Communications Manager, Commonwealth Games England
c.edwards@teamengland.org
07487 511 254
