National Basketball Association (NBA) and Australian basketball star, Patrick ‘Patty’ Mills became the seventh official Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Ambassador in the Games host city today.
The announcement was made by Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman, Peter Beattie AC at local school, Keebra Park State High School.
Canberra-born Mills plays for the San Antonio Spurs and was a member of their NBA championship winning team in 2014. He has competed for the Australian Boomers at the past three Olympic Games.
Widely recognised as one of Australia’s best basketball exports, Mills is an inspiration for many young Australians and a leader within Indigenous communities across the country.
Mills is the seventh of a select group of high profile figures who will assist GOLDOC with the promotion of the 4-15 April 2018 Games to Australia and the rest of the world.
The popular basketballer joins Cathy Freeman OAM, Sally Pearson OAM, Cameron McEvoy, Anna Meares OAM, Laura Geitz and Kurt Fearnley OAM as a welcome member of the GC2018 Ambassador family.
As part of his ambassador role, Mills will embark on a Far North Queensland tour in early August, including stops in GC2018 event cities Cairns and Townsville that will play an integral part in the GC2018 Basketball competition, hosting the preliminary rounds.
To mark the occasion, Mills was presented with a commemorative surfboard – an iconic keepsake of the Gold Coast lifestyle.
Also in attendance today was GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters, GOLDOC Board Member and three-time basketball Olympian Perry Crosswhite AM, Uncle Ted Williams who provided the Welcome to Country and Keebra State High School staff and students.
Patrick ‘Patty’ Mills:
"It’s an honour to join an inspiring and talented group of Australian athletes as an official ambassador for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
"Cathy Freeman has been an inspiration for me, so it’s a real privilege to be in the same company as her as an ambassador for a home Commonwealth Games.
"Whilst NBA commitments will keep me from competing at GC2018 this ambassador role allows me to play a part and share the passion and excitement of these Games on a global stage.
"I’m a proud Indigenous Australian and I’m excited to spread the word about the Commonwealth Games being in my home country and the return of basketball for the first time since Melbourne 2006.
"Australia’s interest in basketball has grown, especially with a number of Boomers plying their trade in the NBA and our Opals in the WNBA.
"It’s exciting that Cairns and Townsville will get to share in this major moment for Australian sport by hosting the preliminary rounds of the men’s and women’s basketball competitions."
GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC:
"Patty is a world class basketballer, a champion on and off the court and is proud to tell the story of his family and Australia to the world. He is the perfect person to share the values of the Commonwealth Games movement and reinforce our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) objectives.
"He has a massive following and is a great addition to the ambassador family already spreading the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games message to Australia and the world.
"He has become an inspiration for young Australians and is a leader in Indigenous communities around the country."
Premier of Queensland The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP:
"As a three time Olympian, Patty Mills is an inspiration for many young Australians and a leader within Indigenous communities right across the country.
"Today he joins a very impressive list of athletes who are all doing an amazing job spreading the Games message throughout Australia and the world.
"As part of his ambassador role, Patty will embark on a Far North Queensland tour in early August, including stops in GC2018 event cities Cairns and Townsville.
"Patty has close ties to Far North Queensland so it is exciting that these Cities will play an integral part in hosting the preliminary rounds of the GC2018 Basketball competition."
Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones MP:
"Patty is a great fit for an already impressive list of GC2018 Ambassadors.
"As a three-time Olympian Patty knows what it means to compete at the highest level and the honour of wearing the green and gold at major competitions.
"Today’s announcement also a timely reminder that general ticket sales are underway and we encourage everyone to jump on gc2018.com to purchase tickets."
City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate:
"Patty is one of Australia’s favourite sporting champions and someone who will represent GC2018 with pride. He is a welcome addition to the ambassador family and it’s pretty exciting to have a NBA champion on board this equally exciting journey."
GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters:
"There are not much bigger names in Australian sport right now so it is a real coup to have Patty join the GC2018 family.
"It’s exciting to have him help tell the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games story with under 300 days until the Games start.
"It’s only fitting with the return of basketball to the Commonwealth Games sports program that Patty joins us as an ambassador."
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) CEO Craig Phillips:
"Patty has been a leader in the Australian Boomers team over the past few years and will no doubt play a mentor role for the next generation of Australian basketball stars who will lead the charge for Australia at GC2018.
"It’s exciting to have a trailblazer like Patty as a GC2018 Ambassador. He has provided a pathway for not only Indigenous athletes, but all young inspiring sports prospects looking to crack the big time."
A complete set of media materials will be available at brand.gc2018.com post launch.
For more information, please contact:
GOLDOC
Email: media@goldoc.com
Chris Kenner
Tel: +61 422 234 565
Media Specialist
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)
Adam Gardini
Tel: +61 402 487 575
Communication and Media Lead
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)
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