Team Wales appoint Richard as team attaché for Glasgow 2014
The Commonwealth Games Council for Wales has appointed Richard and Welsh rugby player Ryan Jones as official team attachés for Team Wales at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Recruited to not only support the HQ team in delivering certain aspects of the Games, both sportsman have been brought on board to help motivate and inspire the athletes set to represent their country over the 11 day competition.
Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, Helen Phillips, said; “Richard will spend a long period of time with Team Wales in Glasgow and we’ll be utilising his expertise in pushing the boundaries of human performance to both inspire and support our athletes. He, like Ryan will also support, value and appreciate our commercial partners but also act as a source of inspiration and knowledge to our athletes, sharing experiences of perseverance and resilience from his record breaking expeditions in the world’s toughest environments. Richard will be firmly flying the flag for Wales as he has done across the globe. As a proud sportsman he’ll be a great asset to us when communicating and engaging with corporate partners, potential sponsors and the athletes.”
Chef de Mission of Team Wales, Brian Davies, added; “I’m delighted that both Richard and Ryan will be spending time with the HQ team and the athletes in the village. It can be an intense and pressurised environment and having their presence amongst the team will only motivate our athletes even further. They are both passionate Welshman and with the Commonwealth Games providing the only chance for many Welsh athletes to compete for their country they will help to instil the message that we are all one team, regardless of backgrounds and sporting disciplines.”
Richard Parks stated; “Over the past year I am very proud to have been working closely with Sport Wales in the preparation for my solo, unsupported Antarctica speed record expedition, training in the high performance area at Sophia Gardens. It has been awesome training alongside some of the athletes, so to be able to support and see them in a competition environment with Team Wales will be a fantastic experience.”
He added; “As a proud Welshman, I am honoured to be a small part of Team Wales at the Glasgow Games. This is the biggest squad a Welsh team has ever sent to a Commonwealth Games and one of the strongest with many exciting medal prospects. I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in the role of official team attaché. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to use my achievements and experience to not only support all the athletes and staff but work alongside the commercial team to develop new relationships for Team Wales and the 2018 Gold Coast games.”
For more information regarding Richard's role as Team Attaché or any Team Wales enquiries, please contact Sarah Mogford: sarah.mogford@teamwales.co.uk
