The British Commonwealth is home to 2.1 billion people, spanning over 21% of the world’s landmasses.
The next Commonwealth Games will have 70 Nations and Territories competing, 6,600 athletes and officials, and 15,000 volunteers.
And it’s happening on Australian soil.
Australia has won more medals than any other country in the Commonwealth, with 852 so far. We hope to add to that when the Games go to the Gold Coast in just under a year’s time.
The Central Coast has produced some world class athletes, including those who most recently represented in Rio:
Canoeists Ken Wallace, Lachlan Tame, Riley Fitzsimmons, Dylan Littlehales
Cyclists Matthew Formston, Nick Yallouris
Hockey player Matthew Dawson
Wheelchair basketballer and sailor Liesl Tesch
Rae Anderson in Track & Field
Now YOU can represent the Coast at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) started at Buckingham Palace on 13th March 2017. The baton itself will cover 230,000 kilometres throughout the entire British Commonwealth, arriving at Queensland’s Gold Coast on 4th April 2018 at the end of 388 days.
It travels further and to more nations, passing through more hands than the Olympic Torch.
The QBR will start on Australian soil on Christmas Day, and travel across the country over 100 days.
The relay is designed to be inclusive and open to everyone and all abilities, so that communities nationwide have the chance to take part.
Coasties have the chance to be 1 of the 3,800 batonbearers, including Games Ambassador Sally Pearson.
The QBR will run through the Central Coast on 3rd February 2018.
And nominations are open to carry the baton across the coast as it makes its way from Newcastle to Sydney.
See the full criteria here, but basically it’s open to anyone aged 10 years or over, who has made a significant contribution to our community.
It may be through sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or some other way they have contributed to their community.
Give someone an opportunity to Share the Dream!
A Batonbearer will carry the spirit of the Games, embrace the diversity and values of the Commonwealth, inspire others with their passion and commitment to sport and community, and be excited to represent and promote the Commonwealth Games.
So if you know a Coastie who fits the bill to be a batonbearer, nominate them now.
But hurry, the deadline is 11:59pm Monday 15th May 2017.
