Para table tennis star Will Bayley has today been announced as a key member of the Team England Athlete Ambassador programme ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Rio gold medallist is one of 30 athletes to work closely with Commonwealth Games England (CGE) in the build-up to the Gold Coast Games.

Bayley, who won gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games said:

“I am fortunate enough to have had a great career so far, and now am focused on the 2018 Commonwealth Games. It’s a very exciting opportunity to be able to come on board as an athlete ambassador for Team England.”

Commonwealth Games England’s President Denise Lewis is leading the programme and will work with Ambassadors from a range of Commonwealth sports.

She said:

“We are delighted to have a great selection of some of England’s greatest, and most promising, athletes involved in the Team England Athlete Ambassador programme. We will work with them and their sports to raise the profile of Team England and create excitement for the nation ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

 

“Will is a fantastic athlete. His experience will also be vital in helping Team England prepare for the Gold Coast Games in just over 500 days’ time.”

The Team England Athlete Ambassador programme was unveiled at Commonwealth Games England’s Annual General Meeting in London today.

The Athlete Ambassadors will support CGE to raise the profile of Team England and its values, develop a strong Team England ethos among athletes, the organisation and the nation, and prepare Team England for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games England also today revealed detailed plans to create the best performance environment for Team England to deliver success for the nation at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

As part of its plans to send the best prepared team to the Gold Coast, CGE will hold a Team England preparation camp in Australia, create a dedicated performance centre inside the Commonwealth Games Village, offer a full programme of support services and send a team of around 600 athletes and staff, in what will be England’s largest ever sporting team to represent the nation abroad.

Team England at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will include around 400 athletes who will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events in what will be the largest ever para-sport programme.