Young Scots going for golds in Isle of Man

The athletes, aged between 13 and 18, will compete for Scotland in all seven sports on the programme: Athletics (9); Badminton (4); boxing (5); cycling (4); gymnastics (6); rugby 7s (12) and swimming (10). The games start today and run until 12 September, with 1,000 athletes from 69 Commonwealth nations and territories heading to the island.

The Youth Games concept – which was created by Scotland in 2000 and designed to give youngsters early experience of an international multi-sport environment – has a great track record of uncovering future champions at senior level. To date 47 Scottish athletes from a total of 200 have progressed from the youth to the senior Commonwealth Games Team, with 11 going on to win a total of 18 medals for Scotland.

Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, wished the team luck as they departed yesterday morning. “Today is a really exciting day for our team of 50 athletes as they embark on their Commonwealth Games journey,” he said.

“Whilst winning medals is important, the major benefit of the Commonwealth Youth Games is the opportunity it gives to expose young athletes to this level of international competition in a multi-sport environment.

“I am sure Youth Team Scotland will compete to the best of their ability and that we will see a number of talented new faces emerge, who will go on to compete in Glasgow in 2014 when the next Commonwealth Games are held in Scotland. I wish them every success and I look forward to watching them perform and cheering them on over the next few days.”

Among the team members travelling to the Isle of Man after a successful season so far are the two latest athletes to be awarded Athlete of the Month for August by Commonwealth Games Scotland, boxer Mark McKeown and throws athlete Nick Percy.

Badminton player Josh Neil also goes into the Games in fine form after finishing runner-up in the boys’ singles final at the UK School Games last weekend, while hammer thrower Kimberley Reed took gold at the same event in Sheffield.

Youth Team Scotland, led by general team manager Vicky Strange and a coaching and support team of 24 staff, will have a training day today and then the opening ceremony tomorrow, followed by three days of competition.

The Youth Games will also feature a cultural programme next Monday to enable athletes to mix and learn about other cultures, before an informal closing ceremony. The team will return to Scotland on Tuesday 13 September.