100 days to go until the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinbago 2023

Team Wales announce HQ team to lead the Youth Games this summer

The Games, which takes place in the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August will see 72 nations around the Commonwealth compete across 7 sports this summer.

The Games, which were due to be held in 2021, were postponed due to the pandemic. Team Wales’ final athlete selection will be announced in June, which will include Para-Athletes for the first time in Commonwealth Youth Games history.

Team Wales will take a team of over 60 athletes and staff this summer with Matt Cosgrove as Chef de Mission and Anna Stembridge as Deputy Chef de Mission.

Anna Stembridge is a current Board member of CGW and has competed for Team Wales at two Commonwealth Games.

Head of Engagement Cathy Williams will take on the role of village Lead on Tobago Island, with Katy Guy returning in her role as Chief Medical Officer. CGW Games Assistant, Lauren Scobie will be the Operations lead and Hannah Llewelyn will be Team Wales Physiotherapist. Completing the Team Wales headquarters staff team is Kate Edwards who will be the Doctor on Tobago.

Matt Cosgrove, Chef de Mission for Team Wales visited the twin islands last month as part of the site visit programme to better understand the Games layout.

Matt said ‘Preparations are gathering pace with 100 days to go until Trinbago 2023. It is great to be able to appoint an experienced HQ team to support the athletes to compete at their best at the Games. It was really useful during the site visit to see first-hand the environment which the athletes will experience at the Games. The facilities are world class and the location is stunning. The athletes will certainly have a great experience competing at the Youth Games and I look forward to seeing them do Wales proud.’

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) and Triathlon, as well as FAST5 Netball, Rugby Sevens and Beach Volleyball.

Team Wales will have athletes competing across 4 of the sports; Athletics, Swimming, cycling and Women’s Rugby Sevens.

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 CEO, Rebecca Edwards-Symmons said ‘The Youth Games is a great opportunity to develop young athletes. The success of our athletes who have gone on to the main games and the Olympics further emphasises the importance of exposing youngsters to this multi-sport environment. Matt, Cathy and the team will continue to prepare and plan over the coming weeks and months to ensure we have the best prepared team going into the Games.’’

Gareth Davies, the newly appointed Chair of CGW added ‘’It’s an exciting time for me to join the organisation as we embark on the countdown to the Games. I am very much looking forward to supporting the athletes, sports and staff at my first Commonwealth Games as Chair.’’