UKAD rep. at island squad get together
GUERNSEY’S Gold Coast team have had their final get-together seminar before the team travels out to Australia for the Commonwealth Games.
The bulk of team were present at Beau Sejour Centre, with only a few athletes and badminton players missing due to being off-island for competition, but many others who now live or work in the UK returned with their travel funded by the association’s club of sponsors.
Chef de mission and team leader Garry Collins said the event was ‘a massive success’.
The seminar saw presentations from the management team, including Angela Stuart who detailed the logistics of travelling, sharing rooms and daily transport in Gold Coast.
Ollie Dowding gave a talk on the subject of social media and media commitments before and during the games and Dr Bill Barker gave a presentation on hygiene and preparing for competition.
‘The team left in high spirits and are all looking forward to Australia,’ said the chef de mission.
‘We also had Nigel Hetherington from UKAD (United Kingdom Anti-Doping) over to give the team the latest Clean Games presentation,’ added Collins.
This on top of the November UKAD anti-doping group sessions has ensured the team has had the latest education about keeping clean and the planned process around testing at the Games if selected.
‘The athletes could be tested anytime from arriving in Australia to days after the closing and they must ensure they take control of what they put into their bodies,’ he added.
‘The final managers’ meeting before we all travel out is on Wednesday and the Bailiff’s send-off reception is being held on Monday 19 March.’
Most of the team travels out on 24 March.
