A Summer of Sport at the Commonwealth Games 

As readers will know, the Commonwealth Games 2022 are taking place in Birmingham this summer from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August.

After winning the bid to host The Games in 2017, Birmingham will become the third English venue to provide a backdrop for the sporting events. A total of 16 venues across the West Midlands have been selected for the Games, including the famous NEC Arena in the City centre and Coventry Stadium – home to the Wasps Rugby team and Coventry City Football Club.

RGS alumna and runner Jenny Nesbitt will be seeking Commonwealth Games glory this summer after being selected to represent Wales at the Birmingham Games. This will be her second appearance at the prestigious event, having competed in Australia back in 2018 on the Gold Coast. Back then, Jenny only received the call-up 72 hours before the flight to Australia four years ago. This time, she has had plenty of time to prepare and enjoy the experience of a home Games.

Birmingham 2022 launched its search for 13,000 volunteers for the Commonwealth Games. Among the successful candidates is RGS Head of Hockey, Miss Bennett who will form part of the ‘The Commonwealth Collective’ to volunteer at sessions throughout the Games. These volunteers will be the public face of Birmingham 2022 – which will be the largest sporting and cultural event ever held in the West Midlands and the biggest in the UK for a decade. They will represent the ‘heart and soul’ of the Games experience for the thousands of athletes, officials and fans who are expected to flock to the city. 

Miss Bennett, said: “As a child, much like all young athletes, I always dreamt of playing for my country and events like the Commonwealth games and Olympics definitely inspired this dream. Although I have not (yet!!) achieved that, what sport has provided me with has been truly remarkable. An event like this demonstrates exactly what Sport brings to our world. Uniting all walks of life to provide economic, social, physical and mental benefits to society. Therefore, the opportunity to volunteer at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, held just down the road from our home city, was something too good to miss. 

The interview process was exciting and also special to get a glimpse of what we can look forward to at this huge sporting event that brings nations and communities together. As much as I love spending the majority of my life on the Hockey pitch, I am excited to be part of the Badminton collective based at the NEC. This provides the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and widen my sporting horizons. I have already met some amazing people and learnt so much through the training so far. I hope my little bit of assistance can help in delivering the ‘friendly games’ that will leave a sporting legacy for years to come and inspire others like they have for me.”

Tickets are still available to buy for events at this year’s Games and events taking place outside the enclosed arenas – the marathon, cycling road race, cycling time trial, cycling mountain bike, and the triathlon will all be free to spectate.

Also ‘The Queen’s Baton Relay’ has completed visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, marking the end of the Baton’s international route and the start of the England route! The Baton is now visiting every region and spending eleven days touring the West Midlands. On the afternoon of 22 July, Worcester will officially welcome the Baton; visiting Worcester Cathedral, Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s famous New Road ground, Worcester Racecourse with its trip through the city will climax with a celebration at The Arches – Worcester development. Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community. The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated with information over the coming months, with detail on the events and where to line the route.

We hope you all enjoy the Commonwealth Games and if you have any experiences/photos you would like to share with us please do get in contact. 

Miss Emma Pollard

Head of PE