ARMED FORCES GO FOR GOLD IN COMMONWEALTH GAMES

23 Jul 2002 02:10 PM

Army Private Kelly Morgan and RAF Corporal Karen Martin are just two of the competitors from the Armed Forces who will be going for gold in the Commonwealth Games which open in Manchester on 25 July. The pair will both be representing England in the javelin.

The Armed Forces also have high hopes for their other competitors who include British number 2 shot putter Sergeant Mark Proctor, top Scottish cyclist Corporal Duncan Urquhart, gold-medal target rifle shooter Wing Commander David Calvert from Northern Ireland and Welsh judo champion Senior Aircraftman Ady Morgan.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, said:

"I wish all those from the Armed Forces the best of luck. The Forces provide much support to their sportsmen and women including time off for training and events. The pay-off for the Forces is fit, mentally strong team-players. So many competitors in the Commonwealth Games is a tremendous acknowledgement of the efforts made by them and the Forces."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The participants from the Armed Forces are as follows:

NAME
BASE
HOME TOWN
TEAM
EVENT
EVENT DATE

ARMY

Private Kelly Morgan
Abingdon OXON.
Salisbury WILTS.
England
Javelin
30 July

Corporal Duncan Urquhart
Carlisle CUMBRIA
Isle of Tiree ARGYLL & BUTE
Scotland
Cycling
27 July - 3 Aug

Private Stephanie Hart
Aldershot HAMPSHIRE
GLASGOW
Scotland
Judo - over 78kg
1 Aug

Lance Corporal James Whitfield
Chepstow MONM.
Gilfach Goch S WALES
Wales
Boxing - light heavyweight
28 July - 3 Aug

Captain Ray Williams
CANADA
Holyhead N WALES
Wales
Weightlifting (upto 69kg)
31 July

Lance Corporal Joselyn Thomas*
Abingdon OXON.
Freetown SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone
100m, 200m
26-27 July

Lance Corporal Josephus Thomas* * Twins
Abingdon OXON.
Freetown SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone
100m, 200m
26-27 July

Lieutenant Simon Childs
Hounslow ESSEX
Lewes E SUSSEX
N Ireland
Judo - under 81kg
31 July

Corporal Robert Doak
N IRELAND
N Ireland
Target pistol
27 July - 3 Aug

Major
Peter Underhill
N IRELAND
Lightwater SURREY
Official Director of Shooting
27 July - 3 Aug

RAF

Corporal Karen Martin
Fairbourne N WALES
Littleover DERBYSHIRE
England
Javelin
30 July

Sergeant Mark Proctor
RAF Halton BUCKS.
Wenhaston SUFFOLK
England
Shot put
30-31 July

Corporal Simon Gaines
RAF Leeming N YORKS.
Ramsey ISLE OF MAN
Isle of Man
Badminton
31 July - 4 Aug

Wing Commander Dave Calvert
High Wycombe BUCKS.
High Wycombe BUCKS.
N Ireland
Target rifle
27 July - 2 Aug

Senior Aircraftman Ady Morgan
RAF Benson OXON.
Plymouth DEVON
Wales
Judo - over 100kg
1 Aug

Flight Sergeant 'Smudge' Smith
High Wycombe BUCKS.
Winchester HAMPSHIRE
Official
Judo - Floor Manager

Flight Lieutenant Samantha Smithson
High Wycombe BUCKS.
Accrington LANCS.
England
Judo - reserve

Flight Lieutenant Iain Robertson
RAF Benson OXON.
Airyhall ABERDEEN
Scotland
Target rifle - reserve

Wing Commander Chris Hockley
Shrivenham OXON.
Brookwood SURREY
Wales
Target rifle - reserve

Senior Aircraftman Will Wright
St Mawgan CORNWALL
Wrexham WALES
Wales
Judo - reserve

Royal Marines

Marine Anthony Sawyer (Reserve)
Romford ESSEX
LONDON
England
Decathlon
27-28 July

2. The Commonwealth Games are being held in Manchester and other UK locations, 25 July - 5 August. More information on the Games can be found at www.commonwealthgames2002.org.uk.

3. More information and photos of RAF competitors can be found at www.raf.mod.uk and Army competitors at www.army.mod.uk/news.

4. Press queries and requests for interviews should be directed to Liane Farrer, MoD Press Office on 020 7218 5083. The MoD's on-line news service, UK Defence Today, can be accessed at
http://news.mod.uk.
Alternatively, e-mail the Press Office at press@dgics.mod.uk.