Perry the Mascot visits Whitnash to celebrate 1 Year To Go!

With just “1 Year To Go” until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games comes to the District, Whitnash has been celebrating this milestone with a fantastic community event.

Hosted at Washbourne Fields on Wednesday 28 July, those attending had the opportunity to try out several Commonwealth Games themed sports including New Age Bowls and 3x3 basketball. They also had a great surprise when the Official Birmingham 2022 mascot, Perry the Bull, made a guest appearance and enjoyed taking centre stage for all their selfies!

Cllr Liam Bartlett, Warwick District Councils portfolio holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure said:

“The “1 Year To Go” event in Whitnash was a great way for the local community to get involved in and to be part of the build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games next year. It was fantastic to see so many children enjoying the sports on offer and taking an interest in the Games.”

Cllr Adrian Barton, Mayor of Whitnash, said:

“As Mayor of Whitnash, I’m really proud that we hosted the “1 Year To Go” event in our local venue.  So many of our local residents enjoyed the event and I know we will all look forward to next year when we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy watching the Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls in Royal Leamington Spa and the cycling road race in Warwick.”

Matt Western MP for Warwick and Leamington also attended the event, said:

“I really enjoyed attending this event and trying my hand at a few different Commonwealth Games sports as we celebrated this important milestone with the Mascot! I am keen to have another go at Bowls and I’m hoping that local residents will start to enjoy this sport and get behind the Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls teams as they compete right on our doorstep next year!

“The Games will be a major boost for our region, showcasing all that the district has to offer for spectators and visitors as we welcome them to our district next year.”

Lewis Williams, GB Boxer and Whitnash resident, said:

“As a resident of Whitnash, I’ve been excited to attend this event and to see the effect that the Games is having on young children. They have been trying out the New Age Bowls and 3X3 basketball as well as meeting the mascot, which has helped them to get involved with the Games and I hope they will start to feel a part of it.  I am currently training in Sheffield with the GB squad and my ambition is to compete in the boxing at next year’s Commonwealth Games, so I really hope to get some local support behind me!”

Christina Boxer, Past Olympian, Commonwealth Gold and Silver medallist and Commonwealth Games Programme Manager for Warwick District Council said:
“This is the third of four annual events across the different towns in the district to share the excitement of Games with our local communities. It has been great to see so many families and young people in Whitnash actively enjoying the event and learning more about next year’s Commonwealth Games.”

To be part of next year’s Games as a spectator or a volunteer visit the Warwick District Council Commonwealth Games page: www.warwickdc.gov.uk/cg2022.