Commonwealth Sports Movement sets out transformational journey to 2022

A transformational blueprint which puts athletes at the heart of ambitions for growth and innovation across the Commonwealth Sporting Movement now begins a formal process of consultation with CGF members, following the meeting of the Executive Board held in London on 3 and 4 March 2015.

The Board, led by CGF President, HRH Prince Imran has endorsed 'Transformation 2022', a new seven-year strategic plan that aspires to broaden the Federation’s focus from the four-year operational cycle of hosting Commonwealth Games to a more far-reaching role as a global movement – focused on partnerships, engagement and value generation - that unites athletes, citizens and communities.

The Strategic Plan prioritises delivery across four key areas identified as:

Innovative and Inspirational Games

Good Governance and Management

Strong Partnerships

A Valued Brand

Grouped into these four strategic priority areas, a number of objectives – such as development initiatives, stronger alignments with Commonwealth stakeholders, new commercial partnerships and the creation of an Ambassador programme – create an ambitious agenda for growth which will be presented to the CGF membership and other stakeholders over the coming months for final approval at the CGF General Assembly, in Auckland, New Zealand, this September.

CGF President, HRH Prince Imran said:

"The strategic plan recognises the rapidly-changing landscape of international sport as we continue to develop the world-class sporting stage that is the Commonwealth Games. Most importantly, however, it presents a bold new vision for the Commonwealth Sports Movement, celebrating and connecting the athletes, citizens and communities of the Commonwealth.

Now is the time to be ambitious and bold, as we build on our diverse heritage and forward momentum."

David Grevemberg, CGF Chief Executive said:

"Commonwealth athletes are at the heart of everything we do. As they constantly push boundaries, it’s our ambition to ensure their performance on the field of play inspires wide and lasting impact in communities, across the nations and territories of the Commonwealth and beyond.

Building on our core values – humanity, equality, destiny – and galvanised and inspired by the support and commitment of our athletes, members and partners, we are primed for action, and look forward to sharing our plans with our membership over the coming months."

A key element of the CGF’s draft Strategic Plan is a review of the Sports Programme for the 2022 Games and beyond, with the aim of further developing the Commonwealth Games as an impactful and inspiring platform for athletes from the nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

The proposals, developed by the Federation’s Sports Committee and endorsed by the Executive Board at their recent meeting in London, would increase the number of compulsory sports for women, increase the number of optional para-sports, create greater planning certainty for Organising Committees and promote and protect the participation of smaller Commonwealth nations and territories.

Commenting on the proposals, Bruce Robertson, Vice President of the CGF and Chair of the CGF Sport Committee said:

"The review of the Sports Programme as part of the Transformation 2022 Strategic Plan is a game-changing opportunity to strengthen further the world-class sporting showcase of the Commonwealth Games.

We’ve worked hard to ensure our ambitious proposals uphold our vision and values, increasing women’s and para-sport events, and ensuring participation reflects the rich diversity of the nations and territories, large and small, of a modern and inclusive Commonwealth.

The Sports Programme proposals also have important operational benefits, including a higher degree of certainty in athlete numbers and more flexibility in the optional sports programme, which we believe will support future Host Cities and CGAs in their Games planning.

We look forward to outlining and discussing our plans with the wider CGF membership, International Federations and our stakeholders."

The ambitious proposals could see a number of changes adopted from 2022 onwards including:

An increase in the number of compulsory sports, to sixteen, to support the continued development of the Commonwealth Games as a world-class and community-relevant sporting stage.

The creation of a quota-driven, event-based programme of compulsory and optional sports targeting up to 4500 athletes – 4000 of which to be allocated to the compulsory programme - to offer greater planning certainty for organisers and participants with freedom to reflect local aspirations of the Host City / CGA.

The creation of athlete quotas by sport, determined by Commonwealth rankings, athlete results and universality principles (applied at the start of the process to promote and protect the participation of smaller nations and territories).

The creation of a ‘Recognised’ designation for International Federations.

The result of the proposed changes to the sports programme would therefore create a Compulsory Sports Programme for the 2022, 2026 and 2030 editions of the Commonwealth Games comprising:

Aquatics (Swimming, inc Para Swimming); Athletics (inc Para Athletics); Badminton; Boxing (Men and Women); Cycling (Road); Gymnastics (Artistic); Hockey; Judo; Lawn Bowls (inc Para Lawn Bowls); Netball; Rugby Sevens (Men and Women); Squash, Table Tennis; Triathlon; Wrestling and Weightlifting (inc Para Powerlifting).

And the introduction of a pool of Optional Sports/Disciplines comprising:

Archery; Basketball (3x3); Cricket (T20, men); Cycling (Track, Mountain Bike, Para); Gymnastics (Rhythmic); Shooting (Clay Target, Pistol, Full Bore, Small Bore); Para Table Tennis; Para Triathlon; Wheelchair Basketball (3x3); and Volleyball (Beach).

For more information, please contact:

Email: martin@mrculturesport.com

Tel: 07789 772619

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only