CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 22: The Vitality Roses during the national anthem during game two of the Cadbury Netball Series between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the England Vitality Roses at Christchurch Arena on September 22, 2021 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)
Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Max Whitlock MBE, Kadeena Cox MBE, Tom Dean, Alex Yee, and many other stars, have come together to support Team England’s ‘Bring It Home’ campaign ahead of next year’s home Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The new campaign celebrates what competing on home soil means to the athletes, as well shines a light on the people and communities who they’re aiming to bring success ‘home’ for.
Next year will see the most diverse Team England ever with hundreds of athletes from every corner of the country competing to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jonathan Edwards and Kelly Holmes and capitalise on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring home success in their own country.
The new film which can be seen across Team England social channels also features Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (Diving), Chelsie & Josh Giles (Judo), Emily Campbell (Weightlifting), Niall Farrell (Boxing) and Siobhan Fitzpatrick (Wheelchair Basketball).
Next year our athletes are going to Bring It Home at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games! It's time to take your marks… #BringItHome pic.twitter.com/pJgtrITjE8
— Team England (@TeamEngland) October 13, 2021
Team England’s Max Whitlock MBE, four-time Commonwealth champion in gymnastics, commented on the excitement of having crowds back at next year’s Games, as well as the chance to inspire future generations.
He said: “I’m ‘bringing it home’ for all aspiring gymnasts up and down the country. We’ve missed cheering gymnasts on, bringing that back to Birmingham would be unbelievable.”
Emily Campbell, the first ever British female Olympic medal-winning weightlifter is driven by the inclusivity of sport and helping others become the part of something.
She said: “I’m ‘bringing it home for’ the ones that feel like they don’t belong. Before I got into weightlifting, I was the same, but now I feel part of something special.”
Tokyo 2020 heroes, as well as upcoming stars, have united to raise awareness of the home team at the Commonwealth Games next year in Team England’s ‘Bring It Home’ campaign.
Each and every athlete has been supported over the years by friends, family, coaches, teachers, and all have people or places they want to Bring It Home to or for.
The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event with a fully integrated programme of para sport disciplines and next year’s Games promises to be extra special with full stadiums and arenas after Tokyo 2020 took place behind closed doors.
Birmingham 2022 is set to have the largest ever female and para sport programme in history after new disciplines Women’s T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis were confirmed.
Other athletes that star in the campaign include:
- Kadeena Cox MBE (Para Athletics, Leeds) – A “Leeds lass and proud”. Paralympic gold medalist Kadeena wants to ‘Bring It Home’ to Leeds.
- Tom Dean (Swimming, Maidenhead) – Double Olympic gold medallist Tom wants to ‘Bring It Home’ for his family, who have supported him through thick and thin.
- Niall Farrell (Boxing, Birmingham) – Following an injury that left him out of the ring for 3 years, Niall’s determination is to ‘Bring It Home’ for his hometown, the host city of the Commonwealth Games.
- Siobhan Fitzpatrick (Wheelchair Basketball, Coventry) – Set to feature in the new 3×3 wheelchair basketball discipline, Siobhan wants to ‘Bring It Home’ for Coventry and her family.
- Chelsie & Josh Giles (Judo, Coventry) – Aiming to ‘Bring It Home’ for Coventry Judo Club. Brother & sister duo are hoping for success in Birmingham together. Chelsie won the first media for Team GB at Tokyo 2020, winning bronze in the women’s 52kg event.
- Andrea Spendolini Sirieix (Diving, London) – BBC Young Sports Personality 2020 nominee, is looking to ‘Bring It Home’ for her brother because he is her inspiration.
- Alex Yee (Triathlon, London) – Olympic Gold and Silver medallist Alex, looks to ‘Bring It Home’ for his community, born and bred in South London, Lewisham.
Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games England, Paul Blanchard, said on the launch of Bring It Home: “Nothing will feel more special to those selected to represent Team England than competing in front of a home crowd.
“It’s important to connect our diverse set of athletes with the fans ahead of what’s going to be an incredible Games next year in Birmingham.”
You can watch the full ‘Bring It Home’ film on Team England social channels.
