Here it is … your #RoadtoGlasgow2014 April spectator update!
March’s highlights included shooting as Scottish star Jen McIntosh secured her 5th national title in 6 years at the Scottish Air Rifle Championships to put her in good stead for Glasgow 2014 qualification. Likewise in boxing a night of high drama saw the Boxing Scotland Championship Finals take place at the Emirates Arena for the first time, with Lewis Benson, Joe Ham and Josh Taylor among the winners staking their claim for Team Scotland selection due to finalised at the end of May.
The action shows no signs of letting up in April. No less than six Commonwealth Games sports are featured with gymnastics, swimming, rugby sevens, netball, weightlifting and hockey on the sporting menu … and you can be there to see them!
NETBALL
Scottish Thistles v Trinidad & Tobago. 2-match test series @ Emirates Arena, Glasgow – 1st & 2nd April
The Calypso Girls are in town and as the No.8 ranked side in the world will provide the Thistles with a good test in what is their last home appearance before the Commonwealth Games. The Thistles are improving fast under Kiwi coach Gail Parata and themselves recently moved up to 12th in the world rankings. And with the final squad for Glasgow 2014 due for selection in June the players will doubtless be out to impress. Two exciting matches guaranteed! 7pm both nights. Tickets available in advance on 0141 353 8000 and also on the night from the Emirates Arena box office.
Netball Premier League (NPL) @ Emirates Arena, Glasgow – Wednesday 30th April
The domestic season draws to a close with three matches in one night including league leaders Scotstoun 1s v Bellahouston 1. Scottish stars Lesley MacDonald and Hayley Mulheron are in the Scotstoun 1s squad and among the star players to look out for. 7.10pm onwards. Tickets available on the day. Free entry!
SWIMMING
Scottish Gas National Open Swimming Championships @ Tollcross International Swimming Centre – Thu 3rd April to Sun 6th April
Three sessions a day at 8.45am, 1.15pm and 5.30pm. Ticket information here
British Gas Swimming Championships @ Tollcross International Swimming Centre – Thu 10th April to Tue 15th April
Ticket information to follow in our free e-newsletter 6th April. Subscribe below!
British Para-Swimming International Meet @ Tollcross International Swimming Centre – Fri 18th April – Mon 21st April
Ticket information to follow in our free e-newsletter 13th April. Subscribe below!
Not one, not two, but three tournaments this month with a bearing on Glasgow 2014 qualification! Scotland’s finest will be on show led by European and Commonwealth 400m Individual Medley Champion, Hannah Miley, and Michael Jamieson the Olympic 200m breaststroke silver medallist.
RUGBY SEVENS
Aberdeen Asset Management Melrose 7s @ Melrose Rugby Club – Saturday 12th April
The draw has been made and the Glasgow Warriors are among the teams competing in what is the 124th playing of the tournament played where the game of rugby sevens was first devised. With Rugby Sevens at Ibrox Stadium expected to be a highlight of Glasgow 2014 in the summer, a bumper turnout is expected at Melrose for this year’s tournament. All the build up here with the very latest ticket information in the Sport on Spec e-newsletter on Sunday 6th April.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Scottish Commonwealth Games Trials @ The Caledonian Health and Fitness Centre, 358 Netherton Rd G13-1AX – Saturday 19th April
25 of Scotland’s top lifters are expected at what is the penultimate chance for many of them to achieve the qualifying total required to compete at Glasgow 2014! Peter Kirkbride and Georgina Black are two of the star Scottish names to look out for at what is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal to the country’s strongest men and women. Action starts at 12 noon and entry is free!
GYMNASTICS
2014 Artistic Celtic Cup/Commonwealth Invitational @ Bells Sports Centre, Perth – Friday 25th to Sunday 27th April
&
2014 Rhythmic Commonwealth Invitational @ Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell – Fri 25th & Sat 26th April
A gymnastics double-header at the end of the month sees a Commonwealth Invitational event in both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. Expect to see some of Scotland’s best gymnasts making their final preparations ahead of selection at Bells Sports Centre and Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. Ticket information to follow in our e-newsletter Sunday 20th April
HOCKEY
FIH Champions Challenge and Men’s 4 Nations @ Glasgow Green – Friday 25th April to Sunday 4th May
A chance to see Scotland’s men and women pit their wits against world-class opposition as they prepare for Glasgow 2014. In the Men’s 4 Nations Scotland, with captain Chris Nelson at the helm, will be up against England, Argentina and Belgium. The FIH Champions Challenge features USA, Spain South Africa, Ireland, Belgium, Korea and India alongside Scotland’s women, led by their captain and GB international Vikki Bunce. Both tournaments take place at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre which will host the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament this summer. Tickets available from the Scottish Hockey website here Details will also appear in the Sport on Spec e-newsletter 20th April.
To be kept up to date with all the latest ticket information subscribe (for free!) to the Sport on Spec weekly e-newsletter. We’ll ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action on the #RoadtoGlasgow2014 There will only be one road – so make sure you are on it!
Yours in Sport,
Tim Underhill
Founder – SportonSpec