Category Archives: Glasgow 2014

Glasgow 2014

The Queen’s Baton – A Glasgow design goes global

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Glasgow-based product design company 4c Design Limited has today (Tuesday, 28th May) been revealed as designers of the iconic Queen’s Baton that will visit all 71 competing Commonwealth Nations and Territories ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition unique to the Games and seeks to unite the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace. 

Glasgow 2014’s baton will itself make history by being the first to visit Rwanda as the relay covers an epic 190,000 km over 288 days. 

Set up in 2002, 4c Design Limited has an established record as a leader in the fields of product design and product design engineering. The innovative design culture for which the consultancy is celebrated will now be applied to this unique commission to produce a confident symbol that will lead the way to Glasgow 2014.

The Queen’s Baton project will be led by William Mitchell, 4c Design Director, who has more than 15 years of experience since graduating from Glasgow School of Art with a BA (Hons) in Product Design. He will lead a team of specialist designers including Managing Director of 4c Design Limited, Robin Smith, a graduate in Product Design Engineering from the GSA.

Weighing no more than 2kg, the baton must be robust enough to withstand all weathers and various transport modes in order to be in constant working order for the 10-month period of the relay.

The baton will be unveiled later this summer and begins its journey on 9 October at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty The Queen will place Her message to the Commonwealth inside. From there, the baton will travel to Glasgow and begin its epic worldwide journey.

From the plains of Africa to the gleaming skyscrapers of Singapore; from the tiny tropical islands of St Lucia and Dominica to Canada’s snow-capped mountain; the baton will take over land, sea and air before travelling the length and breadth of Scotland on its way to its final destination – the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony. (see also http://www.gameonscotland.org/glasgow2014/about/queensbatonrelay.asp)

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg, said:

“The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games. The baton itself is a powerful symbol of the unity and diversity of the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, which is home to one third of the world’s population.

“Glasgow 2014’s Queen’s Baton Relay is Scotland’s heartfelt invitation to the athletes, people and communities of the Commonwealth to come together and celebrate sport, culture and unity through the power of the Games.

“The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton will be unique and inspiring and we want it capture the imagination of the public in Glasgow, Scotland, the Home Nations and beyond.

“Glasgow 2014 is delighted to appoint 4c Design Limited to design the Queen’s Baton for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and I look forward to the company creating a baton that will take Glasgow and Scotland to the Commonwealth in an inspiring way.”

4c Design Limited Director and Owner, William Mitchell, said:

“The team at 4c Design have a passion for product design and engineering excellence, and as such we truly believe there is no better home for what is potentially the most exciting design brief of the decade.

“We are delighted that the Glasgow 2014 team has appointed 4c Design to design, engineer and manufacture the Queen’s Baton for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“Teamwork has been crucial to the development of the baton and it’s been a master class in creative collaboration with the professional and receptive team at Glasgow 2014.

“Very few agencies can include Her Majesty in their client list and we intend to do her, and this innovative and exciting city proud.”

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said:

“Every Games baton is unique and 4c Design Limited now has the honour of designing a small piece of Glasgow to carry the Queen’s message to two billion people around the Commonwealth.”

For more information on this story go to : http://www.glasgow2014.com/press-releases/glasgow-2014-goes-local-design-and-produce-queens-baton-global-journey

Glasgow 2014

Impact of Commonwealth Games on East End of Glasgow

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Four out of five residents of Glasgow’s east end think the Commonwealth Games will have a positive impact in their area according to a study published today.

Over a thousand people from Bridgeton, Calton, Camlachie, Dalmarnock, Gallowgate and Parkhead were asked their views in summer 2012 on the impact of significant investment in improved infrastructure, sports facilities and housing associated with the Games.

This is the first part of a five year community study to measure the success of the Scottish Government’s Legacy 2014 programme. The survey shows:

  • 81 per cent think the 2014 Commonwealth Games will have a positive impact in their local area;
  • 76 per cent support, or strongly support, Glasgow hosting the Games – levels improved during and after London 2012;
  • 44 per cent thought their neighbourhood had improved in the last three years;
  • 37 per cent agreed they have influence in decisions made about their local area.

The survey also identified the need for further improvements to the environment that can be addressed by regeneration and preparations for the Games, such as:

  • Many people (75 per cent) thought their local environment was untidy, suffering problems of rubbish and litter;
  • Feelings of safety walking in the area at night-time were lower (by 11 percentage points) than across the city as a whole.

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison, said:

“The 2014 Commonwealth Games are central to the transformation of the east end of Glasgow, regenerating the area and creating physical, economic and social benefits for all.

“With the new Emirates stadium in place, the transformation of Bridgeton Cross, the creation of the Athletes Village and the Tollcross swimming pool being upgraded to a world-class standard, the investment to date has seen a dramatic change in the local landscape.

“As part of our firm commitment to delivering a lasting legacy from the Games, it’s vital we undertake robust evaluation in the run up to 2014 and beyond to understand how the Games are impacting on the lives and health of our communities.

“These study results provide us with a clear picture of the views and opinions of the people living at the heart of the Games action, one we believe we can build on as Games time draws nearer.”

Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow Ade Kearns, principal investigator for the study, said:

“The survey findings show that parts of the East End of Glasgow are already changing as a result of developments over the past few years, and that residents are aware of these improvements. But the results also show the need, and indeed the scope, for further action to achieve the legacy aims identified for the Commonwealth Games, for example around physical activity and neighbourhood quality.

“This initial survey is an important baseline for measuring change over time and the effects of regeneration and legacy programmes within our study cohort. As researchers, we are very pleased that the Scottish Government and other sponsors are supporting a long-term study of this kind in the host communities of the East End of the city.”

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, added:

“sportscotland is using Glasgow 2014 as a catalyst to accelerate our plans for implementing a world-class sporting system at all levels, and we want people from all over Scotland to be inspired by hosting this top-level multi-sport event and to take part in more sport and physical activities.

“The communities in the East End of Glasgow are benefitting tremendously from being able to use world-class facilities at the Emirates Arena and Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and will shortly also have access to the Glasgow Green Hockey Centre.”

The ‘GoWell’ study in the east end of Glasgow, a partnership between the Scottish Government, NHS Health Scotland and sportscotland, will record over five years the changes to health and quality of life of east end communities as a result of the significant investment in the area.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the Games delivers positive and lasting benefits for the whole of Scotland through Legacy 2014, the Government’s programme to capitalise on the economic, social and cultural advantages of the Games.

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Glasgow 2014

Alex Salmond unveils Glasgow 2014 Legacy training scheme

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First Minister Alex Salmond with young athletes at the Emirates Arena.
First Minister Alex Salmond with young athletes at the Emirates Arena.

A thousand new training and volunteering places are to be made available to young unemployed Scots to help them gain valuable employment skills and work experience as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Legacy programme.

Scotland’s Best – backed by £2.4 million from the Scottish Government’s Legacy 2014 Young Person’s Fund – will see 1,000 jobless Scots, aged 16-24, offered a place on a part-time employability programme. Many of the volunteering opportunities will be at sporting and cultural events such as the World Pipe Band Championship, the Gymnastics World Cup and Celtic Connections.
Glasgow 2014

Glasgow 2014 unveils ticketing ambitions for accessible and family-friendly Games

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Two-thirds of tickets to experience the action and thrills of the Commonwealth Games will be priced at £25 or less, it was revealed today.

Announcing a family-friendly ticketing strategy focused on delivering packed stadia and a ‘Games for Everyone’, the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee unveiled that access to sporting events at one of the world’s greatest multi-sports Games will start from just £15 for adults.

Half-price concessions will also be available for children – a Commonwealth Games first – and the over-60s.

The price of a ticket includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of your event.

At a launch briefing in the city today attended by Olympic and Commonwealth athletes, Glasgow 2014 promised a simple and accessible ticketing process and pledged that at least 70% of all tickets to all sporting events would be available to the public.

The Games Competition Schedule was revealed for the first time and it gets off to a flying start with 12 sports on Day One, including Swimming and Track Cycling. The first weekend will be very busy with both Rugby Sevens and Weightlifting expected to attract peak audiences.

It was also announced that the ticketing process will launch on August 19, 2013 and ticket applications can be made online with debit or credit cards. A postal application service will also be available.

Commonwealth and Olympic Scots athletes David Carry and Rhona Simpson backed the Ticketing Programme and joined Olympic, Commonwealth and World champion triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards at the launch this morning.

Announcing the Ticketing Programme, Glasgow 2014 Chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said:

“This is a big day for Glasgow 2014 and one that has taken a substantial amount of planning. This isn’t just about selling a million tickets. It’s about making the Games accessible to all. We have spent many months designing a Ticketing Programme that reflects the vision and values of Glasgow 2014. Today’s the day we set out our stall.

“We have listened and learnt from previous Commonwealth Games as well as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’ve also conducted our own research. We’ve thought long and hard about the pricing, the process by which you’ll buy tickets, but also the way we communicate.

“This is a Games for everyone. And by that I mean success not just for the Organising Committee and our partners, but also for the people of Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.”

Glasgow 2014 Deputy Chief Executive, Ty Speer, said:

“Our focus in developing a Ticketing Programme for Glasgow 2014 has been to make these the most family-friendly, accessible and inclusive Games we possibly can. That means having a simple, straightforward application process, a pricing structure which is accessible and methods of payment which do not exclude anyone.

“Glasgow 2014 presents the opportunity to enjoy a festival of world-class sport. We want to have our venues packed with people who can experience the excitement and action of elite sporting performances at first hand and be part of the action.

“We want to be a good host and give the warm and passionate welcome that we owe to our athletes and which they deserve. Our Ticketing Programme is designed to make sure that happens.”

Three-time Olympian and double Commonwealth champion swimmer, David Carry, said:

“Having experienced the spine-tingling and unforgettable atmosphere of London 2012 and the passion of crowds at previous Commonwealth Games, I have no doubt that the athletes hoping to take part in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will have something incredibly special to look forward to.

“Having packed stadia and enthusiastic crowds is what absolutely makes for an electric atmosphere at competition time – and that can really impact positively on performance. I know Scotland’s swimmers will enjoy the home advantage of a Scottish crowd shouting, screaming and supporting.

“I also know that Scottish supporters will make the Games a warm, welcoming and once-in-a-lifetime experience for all the athletes. It will be a really special time for them and for Glasgow. It is great that the ticketing policy at Glasgow 2014 is making it as accessible as possible for people to be part of making Glasgow 2014 the wonderful celebration of sport that I know it will be.”

Everyone will have the opportunity to apply for the tickets they want over a four week period when the ticketing process opens later this summer.

An allocation of tickets has also been earmarked for special distribution to identified groups and communities. More details will be announced this summer.

Note to Editors

1. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of
athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the 20th Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

2. Glasgow 2014 family of official sponsors is Longines, SSE, Emirates, Harper Macleod, Search Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Atos, Dell, Toshiba TEC, A.G. Barr, NVT Group, RGS, Trespass, Riedel and Ticketmaster.

3. The first phase of ticket sales will be open from 19 August to 16 September. It makes no difference whether you apply on the first or last day of this four-week window. For high demand sports and sessions that are oversold – such as the 100m final – an independent and computerised draw will select the successful applications.

4. You apply for the tickets you want. It’s not a lucky dip – there is absolutely no chance of requesting tickets for, say, Netball and being given tickets for Table Tennis. Similarly, if you ask for four tickets, you will either be successful or unsuccessful in your application for four tickets. You will not be offered one, two or three tickets.

5. A minimum of 70% of tickets for every sport session will go to the general public. This is different to most sporting events that use a general average – so some events might be as low as 30% public tickets, where others are 95%. For Glasgow 2014, whether it’s a preliminary session on the first day or the 100m final, a minimum of 70% of sport tickets will be available for general sale.

6. A pricing example is the 100m final: Tickets for this start at £20, and go up to £30, £40, £60, £70 and top price of £90. A half-price concession ticket of £15 applies to the £30 ticket. Take an earlier round of the Athletics competition, and the prices look like this: prices start at £15 (remember, this is the entry price for EVERY SPORT), and then £20, £30 and £40. Half price concessions apply across all these prices. (Concessions are available at all sporting events, but are limited for the medal sessions).

7. For Athletics, there are six price categories, but for most events we’ve just gone for two or three price bands to keep it simple.

8. For example Rugby Sevens and Rhythmic Gymnastics prelims have the same prices: £15 (£7.50 concession), £20 (£10 concession) and £25 (£12.50 concession); Weightlifting final would cost you £20 (£10 for kids) or £25.

9. Only 8% of tickets are set aside for sponsors. Our sponsors pay for tickets like everybody else.

10. Prices for the Opening Ceremony start at £40 and the Closing Ceremony at £30.

11. Ticket applications will be accepted online or with a Ticket Application Form (available within the Ticketing Guide which is published on 23 July).

Art, Competition, curriculum, Games Legacy, Glasgow 2014

Glasgow 2014 Athletes’ Village Art Competition – register your interest now!

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Game On Scotland is asking every school in Scotland to get their pupils to design posters to be placed in the rooms of the Athletes’ Village. We’ll guarantee to every individual school that takes part that their chosen artwork will be displayed in the village – your pupils’ work could end up in the bedroom of Usain Bolt, Tom Daley or any of the talented athletes coming to Scotland from all over the world. 

At the end of the Games, athletes and officials will be encouraged to take your art as a gift from the people of Scotland and, excitingly, to write back to you offering their thanks. 

Pre-register you interest for the competition now.

Clyde, Competition, Glasgow 2014

Game On Challenge – put your goals for 2014 on the map

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Is your school or organisation planning to mark the Commonwealth Games with a specific initiative? A fun run or sports day perhaps? Getting involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay? A whole school initiative? Or is your local authority running a Mini Games programme?

No matter how big or small your Games related initiatives are we invite you to share them through the Game On Challenge and add to the excitement now building towards Glasgow 2014, the biggest multi-sporting event ever hosted in Scotland.

Benefits of taking the Game On Challenge

  • Your school/organisation will be showcased on the Game On Challenge interactive map alongside other entries from across the UK and beyond. This will provide others with ideas and inspiration for learning through the Games.
  • Every school and organisation that takes part will receive an official ‘Game On Scotland’ certificate.
  • Education establishments may also be eligible for a Game On Scotland plaque in recognition of imaginative ways they have used the Games as a context for learning.
  • All entries will be in with a chance to win exclusive Glasgow 2014 prizes.
  • Scottish schools who sign up by the 24 May will be entered into a free prize draw to receive a visit from Clyde, the official mascot for the Games.

How do we share our challenge?

Simply visit the Take the challenge page and complete the form.

Clyde, Games Legacy, Glasgow 2014

Art Competition kick starts Game On Scotland

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The official education programme around the 2014 Commonwealth Games was launched at Kelvingrove Art Gallery yesterday providing a unique opportunity for Scottish pupils to join the challenge of creating 6500 pieces of art to decorate the bedrooms of athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth.

Using the Games and its 17 sports as creative inspiration, primary and secondary pupils will be challenged to come up with 6,500 pieces of artwork to decorate bedrooms in the Athletes’ Village where the athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth will be staying. 

 The winning designs will be gifted to the visitors as a memento of their time in Scotland, and athletes will be encouraged to send a note expressing their personal thanks back to the young artists. 

X-Men and Superman illustrator Frank Quitely joined pupils from Hillhead Primary  to urge schools to get involved and make their mark on the Games.   

Unveiling a giant frame containing the Hillhead pupils’ early designs, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, and Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages also added their artwork.   

Mrs Robison highlights the importance of young people being able to connect with the Games :

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Game On Scotland will  provide many more  inspirational opportunities using the Commonwealth Games as an inspiring and fun context for learning across the curriculum.

With the website now live, teachers and educators across Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth can access a range of educational resources for learners of all stages including film and image banks, Games history, sport profiles and materials on the Commonwealth. 

Game On!

Glasgow 2014, partnership

UNICEF, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games forge a new partnership for children

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UNICEF, the CGF and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have announced a unique collaboration that seeks to touch the lives of children in Scotland and in Commonwealth countries across the world.

This partnership brings together UNICEF, the world’s leading organisation for children, with the biggest sporting and cultural event ever to take place in Scotland, with the aim of inspiring and enabling children to be the best they can be.

The partnership was unveiled last week by the first Olympic female boxing gold medallist, Nicola Adams, at Swinton Primary School in the east end of Glasgow – a Rights Respecting School that is supported by the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) and an example of grass roots level activity in Scotland.

The event was hosted by pupils who demonstrated their hopes for a better future for children in song, poetry and pledges before asking Nicola, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg, UNICEF UK Executive Director David Bull and CGF’s Bruce Robertson, to add their opinions to the wall.

Ewan McGregor and David Beckham have also given their backing to plans to put children at the heart of Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy. The Scottish Hollywood star and England footballer are ambassadors for United Nations children’s charity Unicef . Actor McGregor, who is from Perthshire, said the link-up “opens the door to helping transform children’s lives”.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said:

“The children of Swinton Primary in Glasgow have a powerful message for children throughout Scotland and across the Commonwealth. Put simply, they want to be the best they can be. I am thrilled that through our new and bold partnership with UNICEF, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games aims to help them and hundreds and thousands of other children achieve that.

David Bull, UNICEF UK Executive Director, said:

“The Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow in 2014 provides us with a unique opportunity to harness the immense power of sport and culture for the best possible outcome – to improve the lives of children in Scotland and across the Commonwealth.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Glasgow 2014 and with the CGF, and look forward to making history together.“

Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said:

“We are very excited with this new partnership with UNICEF and Glasgow 2014. The Commonwealth Games movement embraces all 71 nations and territories across the Commonwealth and UNICEF works in a great many of these, helping children to have healthy, happy futures by ensuring they have access to education, healthcare and other practical assistance that will support their future development.”

Olympic boxing champion, Gold Medallist, Nicola Adam, said:

“I am absolutely delighted to support this partnership and be part of the event this morning. It was great to meet the children and hear about their aspirations and what they need to be the best they can be. This is a fantastic collaboration which will reach out to every child in Scotland and much further afield.

“I believe that every child has the right to reach their full potential and to be the best they can be and it was great to be able to tell the children my story and how I fulfilled my own potential. Hopefully there will be some inspirational messages they can take from that but I know I have definitely been inspired by the young people I have met here today.”

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said:

“UNICEF improves the lives of millions of children in Scotland and around the world, and this is a groundbreaking partnership that will reach far and wide. Physical activity and sport are a powerful force for good and the Games will help to inspire children to fulfill their potential and, through this partnership, give children around the Commonwealth a better future.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said:

“The power to inspire young people in Glasgow, Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth will be one of the great legacies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Education and access to other opportunities can transform the lives of young people, giving them the chance to reach their potential, and I would like to wish this fantastic partnership every success.”

UNICEF reaches children in Commonwealth countries through its global network of country offices and National Committees working to promote the rights of every child to health care, water, nutrition, education and protection with a focus on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. In Scotland, UNICEF UK has child rights education campaigns for children in schools, health settings and local government.

 The partnership, with the CGF and Glasgow 2014 aims to raise funds for UNICEF’s work in Commonwealth countries around the world.

Glasgow 2014, Uncategorized

We’re Game On, are you?

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In 2014 Scotland welcomes the world. Are you and your learners ready for the action?

Explore the official education programme for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and its legacy.

Scotland’s chance to shine

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were inspirational and thousands of young people were involved in fantastic learning experiences linked to them. Game On Scotland will build on this experience by creating further learning opportunities around Glasgow 2014 and other important events taking place in Scotland in the coming years.

Using these exciting contexts, Game On Scotland will support schools to develop learners’ skills and knowledge across the curriculum, whilst developing an understanding and appreciation of other Commonwealth cultures.