2017 Commonwealth Youth Games Selection Policy
England Athletics and Commonwealth Games England are pleased to announce the criteria for selection for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.
The Games take place in the Bahamas from 18 – 23 July and past participants in the Games have included Jessica Ennis, Jazmin Sawyers, Chijindu Ujah and Lawrence Clarke.
England Athletics intends to nominate the maximum number of athletes, based on the number of team places made available by Commonwealth Games England, with the aim of securing the maximum number of top four placings. The policy details the criteria England Athletics will use to nominate athletes to Commonwealth Games England for ratification.
Scott Grace, Team Leader for Athletics for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games said, “For many young athletes the Commonwealth Youth Games provide a first international experience and hopefully the first stepping stone towards senior success.
“I hope that all those selected will grasp this this amazing opportunity and represent England, our sport and most importantly themselves with both pride and passion.
“In the past the Commonwealth Youth Games has provided a great learning experience for several of our current senior England stars including Jessica Ennis, Jazmin Sawyers, Chijindu Ujah and Lawrence Clarke. I wish every athlete the greatest of luck with their upcoming season.”
Don Parker, sports director for Commonwealth Games England, said, “Commonwealth Games England are delighted with the commitment of England Athletics to the Commonwealth Youth Games. We have seen some outstanding young athletes compete at previous Youth Games and go on to achieve great success at Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”
Selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games is open to athletes 16 – 17 years of age (athletes born in 2000 & 2001) who are eligible to compete for England to be considered for selection.
An initial team, which will be subject to change, will be nominated, as per CGF requirements on Monday 8th May.
The final team will be nominated in a single selection meeting to be held on Monday 19th June 2017. Only then will the team be announced, subject to ratification by Commonwealth Games England
For full details see the full selection policy. Click here to download the full Commonwealth Youth Games 2017 selection policy (PDF 252kB)
More information on the Commonwealth Games is available at www.thecgf.com
Events Excluded from the Games
England Athletics recognises the frustration of athletes, coaches and other organisations with the exclusion of certain events from the athletics programme at the Commonwealth Youth Games. We would like to see full programmes of events included.
In correspondence with Commonwealth Games England, the body responsible for taking the team and the one affiliated to the Commonwealth Games Federation we have received the following, indicating the Federations reasoning behind such decisions.
The decision re the exclusion of certain events from the 2017 Youth Games has been taken by the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Local Organising Committee. They will have analysed the number of entries from different Sports and indeed disciplines/events within a Sport at previous Youth Games before finalising the programme. The Commonwealth Games Federation will have also been in contact with the various global governing bodies (in this case the IAAF) to seek feedback on the proposed competition programme. I fully understand your concerns as indeed we have a similar situation with other sports that were on the programme in Glasgow but not on the programme in the Bahamas.
Don Parker - Sports Director, Commonwealth Games England
As stated England Athletics and Commonwealth Games England would like to see a full set of events included in the Commonwealth Youth Games, and the Commonwealth Games at all times, but the Commonwealth Games Federation works to criteria of which states that each event must have certain representation from member organisations. We will continue to work to influence the decision makers through the channels we have, as well as trying to influence event development across the Commonwealth through Commonwealth Federations. We would also encourage any event organisations or individuals to support other federations in their event development work to spread participation as well.