Hannah Crymble, Harrison McGrogan, Kaitlin Saunders and Omar Keshta will take to the Platform in Glasgow with double the number of weightlifters making the qualification standard from Birmingham in 2022.

Athlete Award recipient, thanks to National Lottery funding, Hannah Crymble is fresh off becoming back to back British Champion at the 63kg weight category and will be competing at her second Commonwealth Games.

Fellow Athlete Award recipient Harrison McGrogan is also just back from victory at the British Championships in the 71kg.

The former Bangor Grammar School rugby scrum half has a busy summer ahead competing at his first Commonwealth Games and awaiting his A Level results.

Debutant Kaitlin Saunders was inspired to take up weightlifting after watching Team NI compete in Birmingham. A former gymnast and CrossFit athlete, Saunders will be competing in her first games after lifting the qualifying standard at 77kg.

Omar Keshta, who was born in Belfast before moving to Egypt, will also be competing in his first Commonwealth Games. Keshta retuned to the UK to study at Brunel University and will compete in the 110kg + weight category.

We’re proud to support Team NI thanks to funding from the National Lottery.

‘The Wicket Man’ is available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Rankin shares all with host Hugh Campbell about the psychology within cricket and the battle between bat and ball. He also discusses his upbringing and valuable advice to elite athletes on his preparation to compete at the top level.

Standing at 6ft 8, Boyd Rankin was a fast bowler who claimed over 500 wickets in his professional career in Test, ODI, T20 and First Class cricket which consisted of representing England, Ireland, Warwickshire and Derbyshire.

Rankin is one of very few cricketers to play for two countries in his International career with the likes of Eoin Morgan and Ed Joyce also playing for England and Ireland.

Rankin had a fascinating start in International cricket as he received his first call up whilst studying agriculture where the original plan was for him to work at the family farm.

From the fields of the farm to the cricket pitch, Rankin went on to compete at the 2007 World Cup where he took figures of 3/32 as Ireland shocked Pakistan.

To reach the pinnacle of cricket Boyd switched to compete for England with Ireland not being a Test Nation. Therefore, Rankin stopped playing for Ireland in 2012 and soon after made his England debut in the 2013/14 Ashes.

Boyd would return to Ireland when they received Test status and took their first Test wicket on 11 May 2018 against Pakistan.

Rankin is now Head Coach of the North West Warriors as part of the North West Cricket Union and was recently a coach as Ireland hosted New Zealand for a Test Match at Stormont.

Creating Opportunities, funded by the National Lottery, is focused on levelling the playing field and providing more opportunities for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to participate in sport and physical activity.

The programme will support local sports clubs, charities, voluntary organisations and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to raise funds for their participation projects by setting-up their own crowdfunding campaigns.

This year Sport NI will match fund the projects by pledging 65% of an organisation’s Crowdfunder campaign total up to a maximum of £5,000.

Successful projects will need the support of their local community and wider network to meet their fundraising target.

Sport NI Interim CEO Richard Archibald said: “The third year of Creating Opportunities will continue to help clubs and organisations develop innovative projects that make sport more accessible and inclusive.

“We’re pleased to increase our match funding to 65% this year. Combined with the invaluable support of local communities, this investment will help more people across Northern Ireland take part in sport.

“Sport is for everyone, but people can face a range of barriers, from ability and time to resources. No one should be excluded from participating in sport and physical activity, and we are grateful to The National Lottery for helping us break down these barriers.”

In 2025/26, 85 projects across 15 sports benefited from over £375,000 of National Lottery funding through Creating Opportunities. An additional £413,000 was raised by campaign supporters via Crowdfunder, resulting in over £700,000 invested into local grassroots sport.

Belfast Superkings Cricket Club created a new youth development programme which they were able to offer for free to participants, Leander Swimming Club ran the ‘Get on Deck’ project to revitalise female engagement and Woodvale Football Club ran extra training for girls aged 2-10.

At Queen’s, they used their funding to introduce international students to GAA and the hockey club ran the ‘Get Hooked’ programme to introduce students to university sport and enjoy the social culture without financial barriers.

Applications for Phase 3 are now open. Successful projects must complete their crowdfunding campaigns and deliver activity by 31 March 2027.

Organisations interested in applying can find out more and begin their crowdfunding journey via the Sport NI Creating Opportunities programme website: www.sportni.net/funding/creating-opportunities/

This project has been made possible thanks to the support from The National Lottery and the National Lottery players who raise more than £33 million every week for good causes.

Outdoors Week is part of our Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong campaign, which encourages women & girls to get take part in sport and physical activity.

Starting on Monday 8 June, Swim Ulster, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, The Outdoor Partnership and Outscape will be running low-cost and free events for women & girls to take part.

So far, events confirmed to take place include Get Wet Stay Safe, Sailing Taster Sessions, Hill Skills, Social Cycling and Riverside Walk and Tea, showcasing the range of activities for all abilities, ages and preference.

Locations are spread out across Northern Ireland such as South Lakes Leisure Centre, Portrush, Warrenpoint, Lough Erne Yacht Club, Strangford Lough and more.

Interim Director of Sport Rebecca Hope said: “Our Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong campaign aims to encourage women & girls to get involved or come back to sport for the mental and physical benefits of physical activity.

“Sport is crucial for all of us whether it be for competition, socialising, fitness or our mental health. Outdoors week is an opportunity for people to try something new or have another go at an activity in a welcoming environment which can then be taken forward for years to come.”

Check out all the events in your area here: https://www.sportni.net/be-seen-be-heard-belong-in-the-outdoors-8-14-june-2026/

You can also find out more about our Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong campaign here: https://beseenbeheardbelong.co.uk/

The £3.2m project, delivered by OB Construction, includes a new dedicated boxing facility and a multi-use sports hall with accommodation for gymnastics. New changing accommodation, a Changing Places Facility, additional storage, and accessible car parking spaces also form part of the development.

The project was made possible following £1,845,000 in funding through Sport NI’s National Lottery Funded Multi Facility Fund.

Sport NI has worked closely with Council and Disability Sport NI to ensure the design is fully inclusive for people with disabilities and meets the requirements of Inclusive Sports Facility Guide.

Gavin Boyd, Chair of Sport NI said: “Sport NI’s Multi Facility Fund, made possible thanks to the National Lottery, has transformed facilities across our communities.

“We’re delighted to have partnered with Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver this new state of the art facility and provide opportunities for all abilities to participate in sport which is crucial for our physical and mental health.

“We are especially proud that by working with Disability Sport NI, the new building at Melvin Sports Complex and its access routes meet the Accessible Sports Facilities Design Guidelines.

“Thank you to the National Lottery players who raise around £33 million every week for National Lottery-funded projects with Melvin Sports Complex the latest example of how vital this investment is to local sport.”

The opening event was attended by representatives from Sport NI, the National Lottery, Disability Sport NI, and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Guests watched demonstrations from anchor tenants Mourne Golden Gloves Boxing Club, Lisnafin ABC Boxing Club, and Melvin Gymnastics.

Mayor McHugh paid tribute to all stakeholders for their collaborative work in delivering the state-of-the-art facility.

He added: “I am delighted to formally open this facility, which is a significant addition to sports provision in Strabane and will enhance the experience of the many user groups who use the Melvin Complex,” he said.

“It is particularly good news for the boxing clubs, who now have a permanent home, as well as access to a state-of-the-art hall that is equipped to host a variety of indoor sports and events.

“I would like to thank Sport NI and the National Lottery, whose generous funding made this project possible, and Council officers and all the venue’s stakeholders who worked together to ensure the finished development meets the needs of all users.”

For full details of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s leisure facilities, and to book classes and activities, visit: derrystrabane.com/leisure.

Head coach Sheonah Forbes has named an experienced Team NI Netball Squad with just three of the 12 women squad making their Commonwealth Games debut.

It is a fourth consecutive games for Team NI Netball and they go back to the home of their highest ever finish, seventh place in 2014.

The side is captained by versatile defender Michelle Magee, the 26-year-old spent the season in the Super League with Birmingham Panthers. Magee is joined in the squad by older sister Emma.

Niamh Cooper was also playing in the Super league this season with Nottingham Forest, the centre/wing defence will be going to her fourth games as is Caroline O’Hanlon.

Capped 131 times O’Hanlon has played in three world cups, was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony at the Gold Coast games in 2018 and skippered the side in Birmingham four years ago.

Centurion Fionnuala Toner is back for a fourth Commonwealth Games with Lisa Bowman back in the squad after missing Birmingham in 2022.

Frances Keenan, Georgie McGrath and Maria McCann were all in Birmingham four years ago with Evelyn McCagherty, Laureen Walshe and Orlaith Rogers making their Commonwealth Games bow.

We have proudly supported the development of the 2032 High Performance System Coaching Strategy, which sets out a shared commitment to better support, recognise and value coaches across high performance sport. Developed in collaboration with partners across the performance landscape, it reflects a collective belief that coaches are central to success and wellbeing in sport. The strategy provides a clear, coherent, and aligned mission, bringing partners together around five shared priorities to coordinate action, reduce duplication and amplify impact. By working in a more joined‑up way, the system can create better experiences for coaches, clearer pathways for development and recognition, and stronger foundations for sustained success to 2032 and beyond.

Over the past 18 months Sport NI has held regular meetings with colleagues from UK Sport, Sport England, Sportscotland, Sport Wales, UK Coaching and CIMSPA. These meetings have been instrumental in developing the strategy collaboratively, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of performance and pathway environments across the UK.

Sport NI will collaborate with our partners throughout the strategy timeline to ensure progress is made across the five pillars.  We will also provide learning and development support to coaches within this performance and pathway environment.

We have recently established a Performance Pathway Network to support governing body performance pathway leads. This network aims to create a sustainable athlete-centred performance system prioritising pathway development talent nurturing and enabling all Northern Ireland athletes to realise their full potential. By striving for this goal, the network will provide learning and development opportunities for leads across the five strategy pillars.

Alongside the delivery of the Performance Pathway Network, two further key areas will be the delivery of the Coaching Collective in partnership with Ulster University and the Commonwealth Futures programme in partnership with Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland.

The Coaching Collective provides a mechanism to support regular shared targeted learning and development opportunities for coaches operating across local pathway and performance environments. Delivered three to four times per year, it is an informal opportunity for local coaches to come together, hear the thoughts of subject matter experts and spend time reflecting on three key areas: Focus on Self; Focus on the Athlete; and Focus on the Environment.

The Commonwealth Futures provides a range of Learning and Development opportunities for 40 ‘key’ coaches and practitioners, identified by their governing body in conjunction with Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland. While the primary consideration for their recruitment will be their inclusion in coaching roles at the Games, it is anticipated that they will also play a role in broader pathway and performance events for their sport (e.g. European, World, Olympic). This model has been established following insight that identified a challenge in succession planning and learning and development opportunities for the performance and pathway workforce.

Alan Curran, People Development Manager said: “Together we are building a future where coaches are valued, supported and empowered to craft excellence; that inspires, leads and transforms lives. 

We look forward to continuing to work closely with UK Sport and partners across the system to deliver on these shared ambitions.

2032 High Performance System Coaching Strategy

About the High Performance System Advisor Group (HPSAG)

HPSAG a cross-system advisory group that brings together senior leaders and experts from across the high performance sport system to provide insight, challenge and alignment on major strategic issues (for example coaching, system alignment, major events, and cross‑home nation collaboration).

Supporting coaches. Strengthening the coaching community. Powering success.

Both will compete in the 400m freestyle with McMillan taking the 100 and 200m whilst Wiffen competes in the 800m, the distance he won Olympic gold, and 1500m.

In Para Swimming, Bethany Firth returns to defend her S14 200m Freestyle gold medal from 2022 and Barry McClements will aim to create more history for himself after becoming the first swimmer to win a medal in the pool for TeamNI in 2022.

Two time Olympian Danielle Hill will be in action in the 50m freestyle and 50m/100m Backstroke at her fourth Commonwealth Games after her debut in Glasgow in 2014.

Grace Davison has fond memories of the Commonwealth Games after making her debut aged just 14 in 2022. Now the18 year old is joined by Ellie McCartney with both winning medals at the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2023.

Conor Ferguson is back wearing TeamNI colours after missing 2022 but reached two finals in the Gold Coast in 2018.

Lottie Cullen will be going to her first games swimming the 100m and 200 backstroke.

Adam Bradley, Matthew Hamilton, Paddy Johnston Alana Burns Atkin, Victoria Catterson and Emily Hughes will swim in the relay races.

We’re proud to support Team NI thanks to funding from the National Lottery.

Team NI Swimming Squad

Daniel Wiffen – 400/800/1500m Freestyle

Jack McMillan – 100/200/400m Freestyle

Danielle Hill – 50/100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle

Ellie McCartney – 100/200m Breaststroke, 200m IM

Conor Ferguson – 50m Backstroke

Lottie Cullen – 100/200m Backstroke

Grace Davison – 100/200m Freestyle, 100/200m Backstroke

Adam Bradley – Men’s 4 x 100m

Matthew Hamilton – Men’s 4 x 100m

Paddy Johnston – Men’s 4 x 100m

Alana Burns Atkin – Women’s 4 x 100m

Victoria Catterson – Women’s 4 x 100m

Emily Hughes – Women’s 4 x 100m

Bethany Firth – S14 200m Freestyle

Barry McClements – S9 100m Backstroke, S10 100m Fly

The squad was announced at Girdwood Community Hub with previous Commonwealth Games medallists Michaela Walsh and Jude Gallagher both returning to represent TeamNI.

Walsh and Gallagher won gold at the 2022 Games in Birmingham with Walsh the most decorated athlete with silver medals in 2014 and 2018. Gallagher will step up to lightweight in Glasgow after his 2022 medal coming at Featherweight.

Joining them will be Jon Paul Hale and Nicole Clyde who will compete at their second Commonwealth Games with the rest of the squad receiving their debuts.

The debutants include Irish Elite Champions Louis Rooney, Jon McConnel and Willie John McCarten with Caitlin Fryers, Kaci Rock, Janssen Hill, Eoghan Quinn and Garyn McAllister all claiming Ulster titles at the end of 2025.

We’re proud to support Caitlin Fryers, Nicole Clyde, Louis Rooney, Kaci Rock, John Paul Hale, Janssen Hill, Jon McConnell, Eoghan Quinn, Garyn McAllister and Willie John McCartan through our Athlete Award whilst also supporting TeamNI thanks to funding from the National Lottery.

The full list of boxers and weight categories are below:

51kg: Caitlin Fryers

54kg: Nicole Clyde

55kg: Louis Rooney

57kg: Michaela Walsh

60kg: Jude Gallagher

65kg: Kaci Rock

65kg: John Paul Hale

70kg: Janssen Hill

70kg: Jon McConnell

80kg: Eoghan Quinn

90kg: Garyn McAllister

90+kg: Willie John McCartan

The programme was setup to help Coaching Leads ensure that coaching within their respective sports meets the needs of participants and helps to reduce the inequalities which exist in sport.

Denise Murphy (Triathlon Ireland), Gary McKeegan (Cycling/Sport Ireland), Callum Grieve (NI Volleyball), Declan Leung (Athletics NI), and Michelle McMillan (Ulster Hockey) have all taken part in the programme as Coaching Leads in Northern Ireland.

The final meeting in person of the programme was held at the Vale Resort in South Wales but all participants will continue to receive support for a further year from their local sports council.

The 15 Coaching Leads (pictured below) from across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were brought together to explore the theme of ‘Understanding and Leading Change’.

The two day workshop covered subjects such as Insight into the Psychology of Change, Leading Continuous Improvement, Influencing Skills and Personal Impact and how to conduct Courageous Conversations.

The residential concluded with an opportunity to reflect back on the experience of the programme to date and refining their plans for the next 12 months whilst considering what associated support they may require for delivery.