This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2014at 3:15 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Honoured To Carry The Queen’s Baton On Behalf Of An Amazing Team

A team of elite sportspeople has been chosen to carry the 2014 Commonwealth Games baton through Southampton – including Active Nation’s brilliant diving programme manager Annie Clewlow.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will tour the city on June 4, visiting local landmarks and acting as the centrepiece for events happening to celebrate the countdown to the XX Commonwealth Games which takes place in Glasgow from 23rd July to 3rd August.

For the last 14 years Annie has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Southampton has a world class diving programme producing elite competitors, but says none of this would have been possible without the work of an amazing team.

Annie said: “It is a great honour to have been chosen to carry the Commonwealth baton, which I feel I am doing on behalf of a team of amazing people who have all contributed to making diving here in Southampton as brilliant as it is.

“In particular we have been fortunate to have Lindsey Fraser, Olympian, Olympic coach and now international judge, heading up the programme from day 1, providing vision and direction to provide a structure uniquely tailored to our circumstances.

“Since she was the one who encouraged me to get involved in the first place I really owe this opportunity to her!”

Annie also co-ordinated a programme to ensure every child in the city experiences a free diving session and was instrumental in creating the only disability programme in the world, in Southampton called Diveability.

She has been a team manager for Great Britain and has taken junior and senior teams all over the world to compete. She continues to work with schools to find the next Peter Waterfield.

Other torch bearers will include 400m Commonwealth Games record holder Iwan Thomas, netball coach and Saucony ladies team founder Chris Grainger, Southampton Park Run founder James Saunders and Richard Cartwright who has developed Team Solent Sharks Wheelchair Rugby Club in partnership with Southampton Solent University. Oarsman and Coalporters ARC member Nick Chmarny who has dedicated 30 years to nurturing the city’s rowing talents is the 6th member.

The Queen’s Baton bearers will carry the baton to a variety of events and activities to introduce the public to new sports. It will take pride of place at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre where Active Nation’s popular TRYathlon event is being held – providing up to 600 schoolchildren with an opportunity to see the torch and have a go at a variety of activities including many sports which will feature in the Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games England president Dame Kelly Holmes said: “The baton bearers have all been selected due to their passion for sport and the way in which they share this with their communities and look to get people involved and active.

“I’m encouraging everyone in Southampton to get involved when the relay comes to your city.

“Find out what event is taking place and if you can be there then please go and cheer on your baton bearers and be part of the Team England send-off to Glasgow.”