Commonwealth Games Scotland announced today that University College Birmingham (UCB) is set to become its home from home for family, friends and team supporters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and provide support for up to 300 Team Scotland athletes and support staff.
The relationship will see the university become a central hub for Team Scotland away from the Athletes’ Village and competition venues, as well as providing opportunities for its students and staff to collaborate, learn and gain valuable experience with Team Scotland, all while providing additional support and a friendly welcome to their home city.
Based in the centre of Birmingham, just minutes’ walk from Grand Central and New Street stations and a short journey from the airport, University College Birmingham will provide the perfect location for Team Scotland’s Games-related activities with an impressive array of amenities, having invested £130 million in facilities and resources over the past six years.
Scotland House will be a welcoming home from home for visiting supporters to watch the action and celebrate Team Scotland’s sporting success, and has been a key part of Team Scotland’s Games-time experience since 1998. It will host a range of events linked to the Games and provide a tranquil space for athletes and their families and friends to meet in private and relax, before and after competition.
University College Birmingham will also accommodate young athletes and coaches from Team Scotland’s Achieve programme as they embark on their first Commonwealth Games experience. Achieve will give aspiring athletes and coaches a behind the scenes look at Birmingham 2022, gaining critical knowledge and experience of a multi-sport environment as they aim to be part of Team Scotland at future Games.
Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “We are delighted to link with University College Birmingham, right at the centre of the action at Birmingham 2022. Games-time services, such as Scotland House, play a huge part in Scotland’s success and in promoting Scotland, as well providing a positive Games experience for athletes, staff and supporters. With a Games so close to home, we anticipate a large travelling support and we look forward to working with the university over the next two years to bring Scotland to the heart of Birmingham and receive that famous Brummie welcome.”
Paul Doherty, Executive Director for Employability, Engagement and E-Resources at University College Birmingham, said: “Our partnership with Team Scotland is fantastic and I am really delighted that the university will be their home from home during the Commonwealth Games. To host a home nation team as prestigious as Team Scotland speaks volumes for the quality of our facilities and the growing international reputation of our sports courses.
“But the Commonwealth Games is not only a festival of sport. It is also a festival of culture, of arts and communities and with University College Birmingham’s heritage in hospitality and cuisine, we are delighted with this partnership as it shows our determination for all of the university’s students to get involved in Birmingham 2022, ensuring the young people of Birmingham are able to showcase their talents to the world.”
The Team Scotland partnership with University College Birmingham is being supported by sportscotland as part of its overall investment in Commonwealth Games Scotland.
