COMMONWEALTH GAMES WALES WELCOMES NICKI PHILIPS AS CHEF DE MISSION FOR BIRMINGHAM GAMES
Commonwealth Games Wales today announces its Chef de Mission for Birmingham next year. Nicola Philips will lead Team Wales to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will see Birmingham play host city for the first time ever in Games’ history.
The news was shared as part of Team Wales’ Commonwealth Day celebrations – an annual event that sees the unity of all 72 Commonwealth Nations come together to share goals in democracy and development.
Nicola’s appointment will see her lead Team Wales at the next Games in Birmingham. Previously taking on the Chef De Mission role in Australia’s sunny Gold Coast 2018, Nicki is no stranger to the role and brings her leadership experience to the Games once more.
As a Professor at Cardiff University, Nicola is also an internationally registered Sports Physiotherapy specialist. She has also worked extensively with the Welsh and British teams at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and is currently Head of Team GB Preparation Camp for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Nicola was previously President of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy and is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; an Honorary Life Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sport and Exercise Medicine; and an UK Anti-Doping Board Member. She is also a Board Member for Commonwealth Games Wales.
On her appointment, Nicola commented:
“I am very happy to have been named Chef de Mission for Team Wales for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It’s a huge honour and I’m really excited to be part of the Team Wales family as we help create an environment for our athletes to perform the best they possibly can.”
“I think Birmingham could be a very special Games where once again, the Commonwealth Nations can come together to celebrate sport after too long of being apart. Roll on next year.”
Professor Nicola Philips’ academic role includes leading a MSc in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy and research, publication and lecturing in areas such as sports injury rehabilitation; the effects of injury on motor control; and measurement of functional recovery following sport injury – specifically knee injuries, which includes athletes of all ages and abilities. Nicki has also published and lectured on ethical and integrity considerations in sports physiotherapy practice. In 2019, Nicola was awarded an OBE for her dedicated services to physiotherapy.
Chris Jenkins, CEO Commonwealth Games Wales said:
“We are delighted to announce Nicki’s appointment as our Chef de Mission for the Birmingham Games. The next 18 months will be extremely busy, but also very exciting as we start to increase our preparations for the 2022 Games.”
“Nicki has a rich history of working on both Commonwealth and Olympic Games, and her knowledge and experience means she continues to be an incredible asset to us.”
“Usually, at this time of year we would be seeing our athletes training, competing and trying to qualify for Games’ selection. But due to the ongoing restrictions as a result of COVID-19, this hasn’t been possible. However, we at Commonwealth Games Wales continue to do all that we can to ensure our athletes, coaches, National Governing Bodies, and family and friends all feel supported in the lead up to the next Games. Despite the difficulties we’ve all faced, we know the determination to succeed remains strong and I am confident 2022 will be yet another fantastic year for Team Wales.”
“I’m sure the news of Nicki’s appointment brings some hope and certainty during this time, as our team continue to work hard behind-the-scenes preparing Team Wales for the road to Birmingham.”
The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held across various venues in Birmingham and throughout the West Midlands between July 28th and 8th August.