Team Wales appointments build towards Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Team Wales preparations are now well underway for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, with two latest additions to the Team.

Commonwealth Games Wales (CGW) has announced the appointment of Dr. Gareth Jones as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Sian Knott as Head Physiotherapist in the run up, during and after Gold Coast. Gareth will provide overall leadership and management of the Medical Services Team at the Games in an expanded role that will now involve working closely with Sian on the development of a succession plan for Team Wales medical staff at future Commonwealth Games.

Chris Jenkins, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Wales said: “We extend a warm welcome to Gareth and Sian in their new roles at an exciting time for Welsh sport. They are both hugely experienced operators and bring with them a real pride and passion for the job. They occupy significant positions in Team Wales, even more so this time around, in encouraging and developing individuals towards growing the medical support services at Commonwealth Games in the longer term, which shows the CGW Board’s innovative approach to future Games planning.”

Both Gareth and Sian will be working closely with Team Wales Chef De Mission at Gold Coast, Nicki Phillips. Gareth has been involved as CMO in numerous Commonwealth Games, is a Visiting Professor at the University of South Wales, Sports Physician with Cardiff Blues and was Match Day Doctor for last year’s Rugby World Cup. Sian is Lead Physiotherapist at Sport Wales and only just back from duties at the Rio Olympics. She has been laying her healing hands on some of Wales’ successful athletes since 2007, works with Wales Rugby 7s, and has already clocked up four Commonwealth Games.

Gareth said: “Having been a member of the medical team at four previous Games, three as Chief Medical Officer, I am delighted to be welcomed back to the Team Wales ‘family’ for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. As in previous Games, I am looking forward to help deliver the best medical support for our athletes and support staff. Identifying and mentoring future doctors, who will make up the medical support team for the Durban Commonwealth Games and beyond, will be an important part of my role as Chief Medical Officer, a challenge I am really looking forward to.”

Sian said: “I’m thrilled and delighted to have the role of Head Physiotherapist for the Gold Coast – I’m looking forward to working with Nicky Phillips as Chef De Mission and Dr Gareth Jones as CMO, and am excited to start the work of selecting the rest of the therapy team to be able to support our athletes in the best way possible.”