Commonwealth Games Training Venue Legacy

The School has been presented with a collection of one-off Commonwealth Games memorabilia, marking its role as an official training venue for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

In the lead-up to the Games, more than 500 athletes from 66 Commonwealth nations and territories trained between the School’s Senior Campus at Beaton Road and H@PP facility within Pollok Park, using its facilities for netball and a range of track and field events.

Spread across both our Beaton Road Campus and H@PP facility at Pollok Park, athletes trained in Netball as well as various Track and Field events. Our grounds were the only training venues outside of the competition venues used by athletes competing in the Games.

The School’s facilities provided an international-standard training environment for some of the Commonwealth’s top athletes, bringing global competition onto a campus used by pupils every day.

The partnership also included various upgrades to our already exceptional facilities, and included: newly developed pole vault facilities along with significant upgrades to the long jump runway and sand pit, including take-off boards, resurfacing, a runway extension and a dedicated run-out area.

As a lasting thank you, the Commonwealth Games presented the School with a relay baton, signed netball and a special gold medal statue. The statue now stands beside the track where Commonwealth athletes trained, serving as a reminder of the School’s unique connection to the Games and the calibre of athletes who used its facilities, and continuing to inspire our pupils everyday.

The relay baton and netball were presented by Christie Pollock, Training Venue Manager at Glasgow 2026, and Kath Tetley, Head Coach of the Scottish Thistles and Performance Director for Netball Scotland.

Joining the presentation were our School Captains, Imogen, Cameron, and Vice-Captains Anya and Oli, as well as our Rector, Mark Ronan, Senior Depute Rector, David Campbell and Head of Estates, Blair Wilson.

Christie Pollock said,

“At just 18 months to plan and deliver the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Hutchesons’ Grammar School joined the journey. Their outstanding facilities provided a fantastic training base for athletes in Athletics, Para Athletics and Netball as they prepared to compete on the world stage.”

“We’re proud that the upgrades made to the school’s athletics track will leave a lasting legacy for both Hutchesons’ Grammar School and the wider community that make use of the facility. We would also like to extend our thanks to Titwood Cricket and Hockey Club and to the local residents, who welcomed the Games with such enthusiasm and open arms.”

Rector, Mark Ronan said,

“We are proud to have played a small part in supporting the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Our facilities were designed to inspire sporting excellence, and we are delighted to receive these thoughtful reminders of that partnership. Thank you to the Commonwealth team for this kind gesture.”

We would also like to extend our thanks to our fantastic Facilities Team, Head of Estates Blair Wilson, and External Letting Administrator Jan Monaghan, who worked closely with the Commonwealth Games team to help deliver such a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

Photos by Craig Watson