Queen's Baton Relay calls in at Plymouth Life Centre

The Queen’s Baton Relay called in at the Plymouth Life Centre yesterday on the penultimate leg of its journey to the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The baton was received by 15-year-old wheelchair racer Doaa Shayea from City of Plymouth Athletics Club and 17-year-old Katie Bradley from South Hams Tae Kwon Do Club, who were selected as batonbearers in recognition of their contributions to sport.

Doaa and Katie carried the baton into the centre via a ‘guard of honour’ created by some of the other talented Plymouth athletes who compete at a national or international level.

All of the athletes are part of Plymouth University’s sporting excellence scholarship, the University of St Mark and St John’s elite scholarship programme or the Council’s Free Access to National Sportspeople (FANS) scheme.

Former Olympic swimmer and medallist Cassie Patten was also at the event, along with Jon Rudd, Head Coach of the England swimming team and members of the Plymouth Diving team.

The baton was taken on a lap of the sports hall, to the cheers of around 100 pupils from Ernesettle, Elburton and Pennycross Primary Schools, Devonport High School for Girls, Mayflower Academy Plymouth, Tor Bridge High School and Stoke Damerel Community College.

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith gave a welcome speech before pupils took part in a ‘Celebrating Glasgow’ workshop, where they learnt about the Commonwealth and its different countries, the Queen’s Baton Relay and the Commonwealth Games and athletes.