We are delighted to announce three athletes set to represent Team England in Netball, Triathlon and Weightlifting at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.
Imogen Allison has joined the host nations' Netball squad after captaining Team Bath in the 2022 Vitality Superleague this season. Allison made her Vitality Roses debut in New Zealand in 2020, after competing for England in every age group and will be joining several teammates who took home the gold against Australia in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Netball schedule commences on Friday 29th July, with the final being staged on Sunday 7th August. Allison replaces Beth Cobden following her withdrawal from the Games due to injury.
Triathlete Dan Dixon will replace Jonny Brownlee following the injury he sustained at AJ Bell 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series in June. At just 20 years old, Dixon will be one of the youngest triathletes on the team however comes into the squad with 10 years of Tristar 2 and junior age category experience as well as more recently named British Elite Champion in 2021. With a win at the America’s Cup in Florida, Dan will be looking to further his medal tally in Birmingham. Dixon is a Team England Sir John Hanson Scholar.
Speaking about his selection, Dixon said: “At 20 years old, after doing this for 11 years, so more than half of my life, it is by far and away the most proud moment of my career. It’s pretty exceptional and I’m honestly so excited to represent Team England at a home Games.
“It’s a real shame to not see Jonny compete and I wish him a speedy recovery. It is a really, really unique opportunity and I’m looking forward to actually experiencing and learning and taking away as much as I can from the Games.
“I want to thank everyone who’s supported me in my career so far. Family, friends, practitioners, coaches, it’s an absolute honour to compete and I want to recognise and thank them for getting me to this position."
After a fifth place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the 64-kilogram category and a silver medal at the 2021 European Championships, Sarah Davies joins the English Weightlifting team this summer. This will be Sarah’s third Commonwealth Games after winning a silver medal in the Gold Coast in 2018. We are looking forward to watching Sarah compete after a brilliant victory at this year’s British Championships.