CGI pledges support to Laura Halford ahead of Commonwealth Games 2018

CGI,the official Systems Integration, BPS and IT Outsourcing partner of Team England, Team Wales and Team Scotland for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has announced its sponsorship of three young British athletes on their journey to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and Welsh Senior Rhythmic gymnast, Laura Halford, is among the chosen few. 

Halford, who has been crowned British Champion and Welsh Champion three times and represented Great Britain in the 2014 and 2015 World Championships, the 2015 European Championships and three World Cup events during 2015, has her eyes fixed firmly on the future. Her ambitions are to retain the British and Welsh titles in 2016, represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Russia and represent Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

“I am honoured to have been chosen as Wales’ ambassador for CGI. In the run up to Gold Coast 2018, my training will be of paramount importance. My partnership with CGI will help fund new kit, equipment and keep me mobile as I train 32 hours per week, whilst studying for my degree in Sport and Exercise Science,” said Laura. “CGI’s support will be instrumental in helping me to achieve my dream of being chosen to represent Team Wales at the next Commonwealth Games, and hopefully step onto the podium in 2018.”

Chris Jenkins, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Wales said:
“We are very grateful to CGI for their commitment to supporting Wales, alongside the other home nations, ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. We are extremely happy that Laura has been chosen as the CGI ambassador for Wales. She is a very talented gymnast, and is a great role model for other Welsh athletes aiming for success at the Commonwealth Games. The partnership with CGI will not only support her training and preparations for Gold Coast, it will also assist in getting the whole of Wales behind the entire Welsh squad.” 

Laura will join decathlete Ashley Bryant who won a silver medal in the men’s Decathlon at the 2014 Glasgow Games for Team Englandand and is competing in the 2016 European Athletics Championships, hoping to qualify to represent GB at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. Alongside Laura and Ashley will be Meggan Dawson-Farrell, a T54 wheelchair athlete who competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland in the 1500m and later won Gold in the 1500m at the Junior World Championships.

“Our support of these athletes and the respective teams is very exciting for everyone here at CGI in the UK.” said Tim Gregory, UK President, CGI. “As an organisation we are committed to supporting professional development in our own areas of expertise and it has been great to extend this further into the sporting arena through this sponsorship. We encourage our own members to live healthy and active lifestyles through a number of initiatives and this sponsorship is an exciting way to bring this to life for our members”.

CGI will also sponsors ten up-and-coming athletes through the charity SportsAid, with each being given a SportsAid Award of £1,000. The funding enables these athletes, across both disabled and able bodied sports, to overcome the number one barrier that they face – the cost of their sport. The investment helps them with essential training, travel and competition costs to ensure they have the backing and recognition they need to succeed.