Commonwealth Games England has announced that National Express will continue to support Team England through to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

An Official Supporter of Team England, National Express is a leading international public transport operator and the biggest provider of scheduled services in the UK, operating high-frequency coaches which link around 900 destinations across the country.

A long term partner of Commonwealth Games England, National Express joined Team England soon after the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Their support will now continue through the next two Commonwealth Youth Games, to the Gold Coast Games in 2018. This commitment is seen as a cornerstone to National Express’ Youth Promise – a pledge made by the coach company to work with young people in the communities it serves, and help to showcase youth talent. 

As part of its on-going support for Team England’s young athletes, National Express will supply free return coach travel to Heathrow Airport for Team England athletes selected to represent their country at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in September (5-11).

For those young athletes bringing home gold medals, National Express is also offering a year’s free coach travel.

Nick Evans, Head of Commercial at Commonwealth Games England said: “We are delighted National Express has decided to continue their partnership with Team England up to the 2018 Games. It will make them our longest serving partner and means we can continue to develop many of the programmes set up in the lead up to the Glasgow Games further. Their support of Team has been vital and we look forward to continuing what has been a very successful partnership."

Paul Blanchard, CEO of Commonwealth Games England said: “We're really pleased to announce that National Express will continue to support Team England. The CGE team are already looking ahead to the 2018 Games to ensure that Team England are fully prepared and ready to compete on the international stage again. It'll be great to have the backing of National Express for our journey to the Gold Coast.

“It’s great to have the assistance of National Express for this year’s talented Youth Team. This might be their first opportunity to represent England and experience a multi-sport environment away from home and National Express will help ensure Team England’s young athletes have an enjoyable, comfortable experience.”

Tom Stables, Managing Director National Express UK Coach said: “We’re really pleased to continue our longstanding support for Team England and are particularly pleased to honour our promise to support young people by backing young athletes. The Commonwealth Youth Games showcase the talent of the future on an international stage and we are proud to play our part in the journey to sporting stardom.”

The fifth instalment of the Commonwealth Youth Games will take place in the Samoan capital city of Apia, with Team England having earned a top-three ranking as a nation in all four previous Commonwealth Youth Games.  

Some of England’s highest profile sports stars have appeared at the Commonwealth Youth Games, including Jessica Ennis-Hill, Beth Tweddle, Danny Cipriani, Zoe Smith and James DeGale. The Youth Games provides a number of England’s emerging talent with their first exposure to an international, multi-sport environment.