The Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, officially known as the VII Commonwealth Youth Games and commonly known as Trinbago 2023, will take place from 4-11 August 2023 US Time/dates. The Opening Ceremony in Trinidad on 4 August 2023 (5 August AEDT) marked the commencement of seven days of competition at Trinbago 2023.
The Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) are an international multi-sport event organised by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). The Games bring nations together in a colourful celebration of sport and human performance, giving young athletes aged between 14-18 a platform to develop their skills and gain valuable experience on the international stage.
The event was first held in 2000 in Edinburgh, Scotland and since then, have been held an additional five times. The Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games will be the seventh time the event is held, with more than 1000 athletes expected to compete across seven sports.
Seven local athletes are part of the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games:
Athletics: Jackson Love (Sydney Pacific Athletics - Warriewood resident) – Men’s 100m T38, Long Jump; Fleur Cooper (UTS Norths - Allambie resident) – Women’s 800m, 1500m
Rugby 7's: Piper Simons (Manly Mermaids Rugby Union), Anaia Cruickshank (Manly Mermaids)
Swimming: Lillie McPherson (Manly Swimming Club), Samuel Higgs (Warringah Aquatic Swim)
Volleyball: Jett Rocker-Graham (Northern Beaches Volleyball)
The Australian team is being led by Paralympic champion Ellie Cole OAM with support from Birmingham 2022 representative Greg Hire. Our team features 74 athletes, supported by 39 officials, across the seven participating sports of athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, FAST5 netball, swimming, rugby 7s, and triathlon, with FAST5 Netball and both Individual and Mixed Triathlon events debuting at this games.
For the first time, para-athletics has been included in the Youth Games program. Trinbago 2023 will also see the debut of
The Trinbago Games will feature seven sports and over 1000 athletes. There will be 94 different medal events.
The uniform that Australian Team Members will don at the Games features a range of competition wear and training gear to be worn throughout the Games and includes more than 80 unique apparel items that will be worn by the team. The ‘Unity’ symbol, designed by Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman and KarraJarri Saltwater woman Jenna Lee, a legacy of the Gold Coast Games Reconciliation Action Plan that represents a team that is unified and ‘Greater Together’, also features across many of the uniform items.
The sports will take place across Trinidad and Tobago, bringing a diverse perspective of the twin island country to the nations of the Commonwealth, as well as showcasing a festival of the country’s activities.
The Australian Team as a whole will look to showcase dominant performances in the pool, building on the success of previous Commonwealth Youth Games outings.
In the last Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas in 2017, Australia won one gold, two silver and five bronze medals as they finished sixth on the medal table after all the action in the pool wrapped up.
Australia has selected a team of 76 athletes, supported by 39 officials.
Jackson Love competes in athletics and currently represents Sydney Pacific Athletics Club, having started when he was 8 years old. His recent sporting achievements include being selected for the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, equalling the Australian T35 100m all-comers record, and breaking the Oceanian T35 Open 100m record. His future aspirations include representing Australia at the World Paralympic Championships and Paralympic Games.
Fleur Cooper competes in athletics and currently represents UTS Norths, having started when she was 8 years old. Her most recent sporting achievements include being the 800m U18 National Champion, and she aspires to compete at a Commonwealth Games, World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games.
Jett Rocker-Graham competes in beach volleyball and currently represents the Northern Beaches Volleyball Association, having started when he was 4 years old. His most recent achievements include winning the Mikasa Cup, placing 5th at the Australian Championships, and three-peating the U17, U18 and U19 Divisions of the Australian Youth and Junior Beach Volleyball Championships. His aspirations include winning the Youth Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
Anaia Cruickshank competes in rugby 7s and currently represents Manly Mermaids, having started when she was 12 years old. Her recent achievements include making the 2022 Australian Youth Rugby 7s team and placing 2nd at World Schools, as well as being part of the 2023 NSW All School Champion Team. Her aspirations include winning gold at this year’s Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games and making the Australian Women’s 7s team, competing at the Olympic Games.
Piper Simons competes in rugby 7s and currently represents Manly Mermaids Rugby, having started when she was 15 years old. Her recent sporting achievements include being named to both the Australia A 7s and Australia Youth 7s for 2022-2023, and the Australia Schoolgirls Rugby League 2022 Team. Her aspirations include being named to the Australian Women’s 7s Team and competing at an Olympic Games.
Samuel Higgs competes in swimming and currently represents Warringah Aquatic Swim Club, having started when he was only 6 months old. His recent achievements include claiming 4 medals at the recent 2023 National Age Championships and being selected onto two junior national squads, and his future aspirations include making a senior national team and being selected to an Olympic Team.
Lillie McPherson competes in swimming and currently represents Manly Swimming Club, having started when she was 8 years old. Her recent achievements include winning 5 gold medals at the 2023 Age National Championships and competing in the World Championship Trials, while her aspirations include being selected onto the Dolphins Team and breaking an Australian record.
Australia is preparing to defend its gold medal in rugby 7s, one of the sports being contested at the upcoming Youth Games – here’s what you need to know.
How to stay across the action
Sports which will be livestreamed: Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Cycling (Track), FAST5 Netball, Rugby 7s, and Swimming will all be livestreamed.
Cycling (Road) and Triathlon will not be livestreamed, with highlights instead available at the end of their competition days.
Access the livestream: LIVE streams will be available from the Organising Committee’s YouTube channel: Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, which can be accessed here:
LIVE COVERAGE OF TRINBAGO 2023
In March 2023 Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Sport and Community Development, Shamfa Cudjoe, and representatives of the Local Organising Committee, unveiled the mascot design for the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, at a celebration to mark Commonwealth Day.
The mascot, Cocoyea the leatherback turtle, is based on a design by local, young artist Djibril Annisette, from Port of Spain, who was the winner of a competition run for schoolchildren in Trinidad and Tobago. Inspired by eight-year-old Djibril’s winning entry, designers created the final artwork, which will now be brought to life, becoming one of the most recognisable faces of the Games.
The concept behind Djibril’s design is that, just like the tough, flexible spine of the coconut frond, Cocoyea, represents resilience in the face of difficulty. Its strong flippers serve to sweep away divisive elements, while simultaneously enveloping all citizens in a warm and unifying space. The leatherback turtle is important to Trinidad and Tobago for its ecological, economic, and cultural significance. What’s more, the mascot’s back, or shell, depicts elements of the national instrument, the pan, another important part of the country’s DNA.
Australian Swimming Team – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games:
- Hannah Erin Allen (Iona Swimming Club) – women’s 400m Freestyle, 800m Freestyle, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team
- Zoe Ammundsen (Iona Swimming Club) – women’s 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1
- Jye Bennion (St Peters Western) – men’s 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1
- Mikayla Bird (Bond) – women’s 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1
- Braden Fyneman (UWA West Coast) – men’s 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, 1500m Freestyle
- Samuel Higgs (Warringah Aquatic Swim) – men’s 50m Butterfly, 200m Butterfly, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Individual Medley, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1
- Tommy Lane (Haileybury Aquatic) – men’s 100m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 1500m Freestyle, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1
- Harvey Larke (Melbourne Vicentre) – men’s 200m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Freestyle, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1
- Clancy Luscombe (Marion Swimming Club) – men’s 50m Backstroke, 400m Individual Medley, 200m Butterfly, 200m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, mixed 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1
- Lillie McPherson (Manly Swimming Club) – women’s 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100m Medley Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1
- Inez Miller (St Hilda’s Swim Club) – women’s 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team 1, 4 x 100 Medley Relay Team 1, 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team 1
- Poppy Stephen (Nudgee Swimming Club) – women’s 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, 200m Butterfly
Venue: National Aquatic Centre, Couva (Trinidad)
Dates: 6-9 of August
Australian Beach Volleyball Team – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games:
- Mitchell Croft (Australian Volleyball Academy)
- Jett Rocker-Graham (Northern Beaches Volleyball)
- Jasmine Rayner (Sandstorm)
- Cameron Zajer (USC Lion).
Venue: Pigeon Point Beach Facility (Tobago)
Dates: 5-10 of August
Australian Athletics Team – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games:
- Delta Amidzovski (Roger Fabri Speed Academy) – Women’s 100m Hurdles, Long Jump
- Xylavene Beale (Albury Athletics) – Women’s Shot Put
- Fleur Cooper (UTS Norths - Allambie resident) – Women’s 800m, 1500m
- Indiana Cooper (South Canberra Athletics) – Women’s 100m T38
- Ori Drabkin (Maccabi Athletics) – Men’s 100m T38, Long Jump T38
- Charlize Goody (Ipswich District Athletics) – Women’s Discus Throw
- Zara Hagan (QEII Track Club) – Women’s 100m, 200m
- Ky Hehir (UWA Athletics) – Men’s 3000m
- Matthew Hunt (UTS Norths) – Men’s 400m Hurdles
- Josiah John (UWA Athletics Club/Asad Sports Academy) – Men’s 100m, 200m
- Grace Krause (Temora Athletics Club) – Women’s 200m, Long Jump
- Jasynta Lampret (Sutherland Districts) – Women’s 100m Hurdles
- Izobelle Louison-Roe (St George) – Women’s High Jump
- Jack Love (Tigers Athletics Club) – Men’s 400m Hurdles
- Jackson Love (Sydney Pacific Athletics - Warriewood resident) – Men’s 100m T38, Long Jump
- Niamh Mac Alasdair (Kinetic Track Squad) – Women’s Long Jump T38
- Andrew Maenda (Saints Athletics Club) – Men’s 100m
- Charlotte McAuliffe (Pembroke Athletics Club) – Women’s 400m
- Reese Prior (UWAAC) – Women’s Long Jump T38
- Akeesha Snowden (Hills District Athletic Club) – Women’s 100m T38
- Toby Stolberg (Ipswich District Athletics) – Women’s High Jump
- Gabrielle Vincent (South Melbourne Athletic Club) – Women’s 3000m
- Chelsy Wayne (Athletics Wollongong) – Women’s Discus Throw
- George Wells (Mingara Regional Athletics) – Men’s Discus Throw
- Daniel Williams (Byron Bay Runners) – Men’s 1500m
Venue: Halsey Crawford Stadium (Trinidad)
Dates: 7-10 of August
Australian Athletics Team; Triathlon – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games
This is the first time that triathlon events have been a part of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
- Aspen Anderson (Gold Coast Run Co.)
- Jack Latham (Cradle Coast Triathlon and Multisport Club)
- Hannah Pollock (Triple F Triathlon)
- Oscar Wootton (Ballarat Triathlon Club)
Venue: Tobago Buccoo Beach (Tobago)
Dates: 6 and 8 of August
Australian Cycling Team – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games:
- Lauren Bates (ACT Academy of Sport) – Women’s Track and Road
- Noah Blannin (Gold Coast CC) – Men’s Track
- Will Heath (Balmoral Cycling Club) – Men’s Road
- Samuel McKee (Launceston City Cycling) – Men’s Track
- Tayte Ryan (SASI Cycling) – Men’s Track
- Liliya Tatarinoff (Central Coast Cycling Club) – Women’s Track
- Keira Will (Lidcombe Auburn Cycling) – Women’s Track and Road
Venue:
Road: Couva (Trinidad)
Track: National Cycling Velodrome, Couva (Trinidad)
Dates:
Road: 5 of August (Time Trial) and 7 of August (Road Race)
Track: 8-10 of August
Australian Rugby 7s Team – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games
- Damita Betham (NSW Waratahs 7s)
- Lucinda Bourke (University of Queensland)
- Anaia Cruickshank (Manly Mermaids)
- Mackenzie Davis
- Heidi Dennis (QAS / Easts)
- Fleur Ginn (Reds)
- Rhani Hagan (Easts Rugby Union)
- Amahli-Sieli Hala (Bond University)
- Caitlyn Halse (Burraneer)
- Leilani Hills (QAS Senior Squad)
- Faitala Moleka (Sydney Uni)
- Piper Simons (Manly Mermaids Rugby Union)
- Ava Wereta (Bond University)
Venue: Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Scarborough (Tobago)
Dates: 6-8 of August
Australian FAST5 Netball Team – Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games:
- Nicola Barge (Sutherland Stingrays and Swifts Academy)
- Georgie Cleaver (Western Roar)
- Jada Delaney (Sunshine Coast Thunder)
- Sasha-May Flegler (Saints Netball)
- Gemma Hutchings (Brisbane North Cougars)
- Mia Lavis (Wodonga Raiders)
- Monika ‘Otai (UTS Randwick Sparks)
- Tabitha Packer (Contax Netball Club)
- Lucy Voyvodic (Matrics Netball Club)
- Clara Wigley (Curtin Hamersley Comets)
Venue: Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Scarborough (Tobago)
Dates: 8-10 of August