BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Team England athlete Galal Yafai poses for a photo at the NEC for the Venues and Sports Announcement for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on October 19, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games)
The official training venues for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been announced and the list unveiled by the organisers of the major multi-sport event.
Training venues play a pivotal role in any athlete’s preparation in the build up to a major event, and Birmingham 2022 has ensured that world-class venues, which will replicate each sport’s competition venue, have been selected.
Netballers will train at NEC Hall 9 in Solihull and will have access to two world standard netball courts.
Training venues play a crucial role in the final preparations for all of the competitors at an event like the Commonwealth Games, as hockey’s triple Olympic and triple Commonwealth Games medallist, Laura Unsworth, explains: “Those last few days before a major tournament begins are vital to a team’s preparations, so it is fantastic news that for Birmingham 2022 the hockey teams will have access to a brand-new pitch for training.
“It’s incredibly exciting that Team England has a home Games to look forward to next summer and all of the competing nations and territories will be happy to hear that the training venues are now finalised, as it’s another important moment on the countdown to Birmingham 2022.”
As the athlete’s needs are such a high priority, Birmingham 2022 has also decided to make the most of the fantastic facilities at the three Commonwealth Games campus villages that were announced last year, at the University of Birmingham, the University at Warwick and the NEC. All three will now add training venues to the list of facilities they are providing for the Games.
The swimming pool and athletics track at the University of Birmingham will now be used by the competing nations and territories. A state-of-the-art boxing and netball training venue will also be created within a hall at the NEC, providing athletes with elite boxing rings, training equipment and recovery areas. The netball players will also have access to two world standard netball courts. The University of Warwick will provide elite training facilities for Rugby Sevens, judo and wrestling.
Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, said: “Following our public search for venues which we launched last year, it’s great to be able to confirm the facilities that we have now selected as official training venues for the Games.
“We had a great response with more than forty applications from facilities across the region. We would like to thank everyone that applied, and we look forward to working with the venues that have been selected, to ensure that we provide the world-class training facilities for all of the athletes taking part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Commonwealth Games Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “This is fantastic news for all the sites and community groups – from Wyndley to Warwick – that will help athletes achieve their best at Birmingham 2022.
“I hope that having world-class athletes training in schools, universities and sport clubs on their doorstep will inspire West Midlands residents to get active and involved in the Games next summer.”
More details about the Games, including information about tickets which are due to go back on sale in just a few weeks’ time, can be found at birmingham2022.com
