Cornwall Commonwealth Games Association

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The Cornwall Commonwealth Games Association (CCGA) is a pressure group, set up in a bid to have a team from Cornwall at future Commonwealth Games, as opposed to competing in the England team. It is not recognised as a Commonwealth Games Association, the constituent bodies of the worldwide Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). An application to participate in the 2006 Commonwealth Games was refused by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

1 Background
2 Refusal of application
3 Coverage of the campaign
4 Future activity
5 Cornish sportspeople
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Background

The CCGA claims that Cornwall should be allowed to participate, in the same respect as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. Cornwall is the only home Celtic nation which is not represented in the Commonwealth Games (although this is disputed by some see Constitutional status of Cornwall).

[edit] Refusal of application

Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Mike Hooper refused Cornwall entry into the Commonwealth Games, saying, "Take up the issue with politicians rather than with the Games Federation."

However, Minister of Sport the Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, stated that "participation in the Commonwealth Games is not a matter for the Government but falls within the remit of the Games Committee (CGF) who are the supreme authority in all matters affecting the Commonwealth Games".

[edit] Coverage of the campaign

Previously HRH Prince Charles had wished the Cornish application the best of luck.

The campaign has received worldwide publicity, especially in Australia and has been covered across the UK media in the national newspapers and radio and on BBC 'Radio Five Live', Radio Cornwall, Pirate FM, BBC Radio Jersey.

[edit] Future activity

The Cornish CGA are now considering legal action for the right for Cornwall to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, and in future Games.

[edit] Cornish sportspeople

If Cornwall did have a Commonwealth Team in 2006, then it would have had some success (his is based on these people choosing to represent Cornwall, rather than compete, as they have up to now for England.)These athletes are either all originally born in Cornwall, or live there now:

Nick Nieland- Men's Javelin- Gold Medal.
Pinky Le Grelle- Women's Trap Shooting- Silver Medal.
Jemma Simpson- Women's 800m- 6th Place.

Cornwall would be able to field a strong Cornish rugby union sevens team beng able to draw from a wealth of Cornish ex-pat players from the Guinness Premiership such as Rob Thirlby and from the Cornish Pirates, Redruth R.F.C. and Launceston "Cornish All Blacks".