A MESSAGE FROM COMMONWEALTH GAMES AUSTRALIA

A message from Chief Executive Officer – Craig Phillips AM

Commonwealth Games Australia proudly investing in our bowlers

Whilst not a Commonwealth Games year, 2020-21 was a busy one for Commonwealth Games Australia as we built on the legacies of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

We recognise the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for community sport in many parts of Australia the preceding bushfires which devasted many communities, including bowls clubs in those areas.

These times, highlighted for many of our member sports by the postponement of major regional, national and international championships and events along with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, required us all to review and re-write, and then review and re-write again, our plans and activities.

Despite having the benefit of time, with the next edition of the Commonwealth Games not occurring until July 2022, the pandemic impacted the Commonwealth Sport Movement. The 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games were postponed and the calendar of events for 2021/22 dramatically altered. These impacts continue and whilst a compressed international schedule will deliver an unprecedented opportunity for Australians to cheer for the Green & Gold in international competition, it will also provide challenges in what our Birmingham Chef de Mission Petria Thomas has described as a ‘bumper year of sport’ in 2022.

The pandemic impacted the organisers of the Birmingham Games, with the most notable change being the decision not to proceed with the build of new accommodation planned for the Games Village. Instead, three smaller villages will be used in existing accommodation throughout Birmingham, in addition to cycling and bowls accommodation closer to their respective venues. This will result in a different Games experience, but one our Team Executive of Petria, Anna Meares, Sharelle McMahon, Katrina Webb and Tim Mahon will creatively overcome.

Despite all this, Commonwealth Games Australia continues to focus on our ‘refreshed’ Strategic Plan – First Among Equals – as we embrace the future. With a strong focus on our dual vision of ‘Pursuing Sporting Excellence’ and ‘Connecting with Communities’, the Plan incorporates five strategic priorities: Delivering Team Success; Connecting with Communities; Presenting a Powerful Brand; Leading the Way; and Hosting Great Games.

To help achieve our goal of ‘Delivering Team Success’ Commonwealth Games Australia has been a significant financial contributor and partner for Bowls Australia, delivering $829,000 to the sport and our bowlers in the lead up to the Gold Coast Games.

Our financial support continues with Commonwealth Games Australia committing $273,000 in 2019 and 2020 to support programs which will help develop prepare our team for Birmingham.

That is a significant contribution to Australian sport, for which we are proud, and we remain committed to working with our sports to improve our programs going forward.

We look forward to continuing our work together to deliver team success together in Birmingham and we thank Bowls Australia and our bowlers for their continued efforts and support.

CRAIG PHILLIPS AM