Yesterday (9 October 2013), the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay was launched at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty the Queen, beginning its epic journey around the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. It won’t be long before the baton returns to Scotland – and organisers want you to be part of its final journey!

The baton holding the Queen’s Message will cross continents, terrains and time zones. Once its has been around the Commonwealth it will come home to Scotland on 14 June 2014 to spend 40 days visiting communities in all 32 local authority areas. On 23 July 2014 the baton will be handed back to Her Majesty at the Opening Ceremony where the 288 day relay will conclude and the Games officially begin.

Glasgow 2014 organisers need up to 4,000 batonbearers to help carry the baton around Scotland on the final leg of its journey, helping to ensure the Games reach every person and every community in Scotland.

Opportunities don’t come much bigger than this to be involved in the Games and your help is needed to find community batonbearers.

You can nominate a family member, friend or someone you know for a position. Organisers are looking for people who have:

• made a positive contribution to the lives of others through community sport;
• undertaken voluntary work or contributed to schools or youth organisations;
• contributed towards greater inclusion for disadvantaged or marginalised sectors of the community;
• been a role model or mentor to young people through sport;
• displayed a level of individual achievement against the odds;
• made a significant contribution to their local community.

Nominations are open to anyone 12 years of age or above and nominations close at 5pm on 22 November 2013.

To find out more and to nominate someone see here and give Scotland’s local champions a thank you they will never forget.

Secondary Schools to get their own batonbearer!

Game On Scotland is delighted to support the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in providing a unique opportunity for each secondary school, and each special school with pupils of secondary age, in Scotland. Each eligible school’s headteacher has been invited to nominate a pupil to carry the Queen’s Baton on behalf of their school, whilst the relay is in their Local Authority area. Find out more on the Game On Scotland website.