Sports in the city as Queen’s Baton Relay comes to Brum
Commonwealth Games England has announced that Birmingham will welcome the Queen's Baton Relay on 2 June with the chance to participate in Commonwealth Sports as the baton travels around the city with the batonbearers.
At 8.30am the baton will be in Victoria Square, followed by visits to Sunset Park in Ladywood, Holders Lane playing fields in Moseley, Ward End Park and ending in Centenary Square at 6pm. In each of the venues there will be a chance to watch demonstrations of sports, join in or meet the athletes.
- Victoria Square, 8.30 - 9am, badminton and table tennis
- Sunset Park, 10.30 - 11.30am, badminton, circus skills workshop and dance fitness
- Holders Lane playing fields, 12.45 - 1.45pm, athletics, hockey, rounders
- Ward End Park, 2.15 - 3.15pm, boxing, cycling, netball and table tennis
- Centenary Square, 4 - 7pm, badminton, bowls, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, rugby sevens, squash, table tennis and wrestling
Dame Kelly Holmes, President of Commonwealth Games England, said: “I'm encouraging everyone to get involved when the Queen's Baton Relay comes to Birmingham. If you can be there then please go and give sport a go, cheer your inspirational batonbearers and be part of the Team England send-off to Glasgow.”
The XX Commonwealth Games takes place in Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August. Commonwealth Games England is sending a 400-strong team to compete across the 17 sports.
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For further media information contact Debbie Harrison on 0121 303 4476
Notes to Editors
Birmingham's Batonbearers
Mimi Isabella Cesar
Mimi Isabella Cesar, 19, is one of Britain's top three senior GB International rhythmic gymnasts and has been a member of the City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club since the age of eight. Mimi was a successful junior at British and international level before moving to the senior ranks.
The teenager from Erdington, passed her A-levels last summer and is currently taking a year out of education to train full time. After a difficult 2013, having being plagued with injuries, she is fighting back and hoping to make the Commonwealth team this summer before going to university.
Mimi returned to international competition for Great Britain in Hungary in February. She trains at GMAC with Olympic coach Lisa Higgins.
Jess Edwards
Jess Edwards,19, has contributed hundreds of hours of both volunteering and participating in the Active Parks pilot at Walkers Heath Park which is designed to encourage and inspire communities to use their parks to get active. She has also assisted the team at Sunset/ Moonlit and Holders Lane Fields pilot parks.
In addition Jess has trained as an Assistant Ride Leader and has helped with the SPORTIVATE Girl's cycling project as part of Sport England's London 2012 legacy project which gives more young people the chance to discover a sport.
Pritesh Pattni
Pritesh Pattni has been a sports volunteer for over 25 years and runs the Bidgley Power Badminton Club in Aston. He is also involved in developing new ways of engaging underprivileged and diverse local communities and young people.
From extremely popular women and girls' sessions, to driving a new disability club in the city centre, he is always searching to find ways to overcome the barriers that are associated with taking up new opportunities.
Pritesh works tirelessly to support his community and, despite his business suffering several attacks during the disturbances in Birmingham, he is still finding the time to continue the work he is doing.
Adam Ruckwood
Adam Ruckwood swam for Great Britain at three Olympic Games in 1992, 1996 and 2000. He won numerous medals at international level including gold, silver and bronze medals at Commonwealth Games, silver and bronze medals at European Championships and was a five-time World Championship finalist.
Adam has coached swimmers to medal winning performances at European Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Student Games, World Junior Championships, European Junior Championships, European Youth Olympics and World Schools Games. He has also coached numerous other internationals, national senior and junior champions and British Record Holders.
Laura Samuel
Laura Samuel is a three times senior British triple jump champion, and has recently added the Indoor title to that list.
Dominating her event from a junior, Laura went on to break the British under 20 record at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Canada, jumping 13.75m. The performance also put her 7th in the UK all-time list - 1.41m behind fellow Stag Ashia Hansen.
She trains at Birchfield Harriers where she is coached by former international triple jumper Aston Moore. With his guidance Laura is well on track to progress even further in her event.
Commonwealth Games England
Commonwealth Games England (CGE) leads and manages the participation of Team England at the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games. We are affiliated to the Commonwealth Games Federation and work closely with the various sports' National Governing Bodies (NGBs), funding partners such as Sport England, our commercial sponsors and Organising Committees. Our purpose is to help develop athletes and their sports, and to achieve success at Games-time.
