England’s most decorated athlete Mick Gault has made a return to Team England as he bids to become the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all time.

Gault, who has won 17 Commonwealth Games medals, retired after Delhi 2010, but has been tempted out of retirement by the prospect of passing the magic mark of 18 medals.

He is one of 14 athletes named in the first wave of shooting selections that encompasses the Full Bore, Small Bore – Rifle and Small Bore Pistol squad. The remainder of the squad will be selected at a later date.

The team is full is:
 

Full Bore

David Luckman (Clifton, Bristol)

Parag Patel (Cobham, Surrey)
 

Small-bore Rifle

Sheree Cox (Ashford, Middlesex / trains Cardiff)

Lina Jones (Redhill, Surrey)

Sharon Lee (Leicester)

Kenny Parr (Sutton, London)

Hannah Pugsley (Lightwater, Surrey)

Dan Rivers (Didcot, Oxfordshire)

Larissa Sykes (Haverhill, Suffolk / trains Peterborough & Cambridge)
 

Small-bore Pistol

Geri Buckley (Snaith, East Yorkshire / York and Ripon Club)

Kristian Callaghan (Midgham, Reading / University of Bath)

Mick Gault (Dereham, Norfolk)

Victoria Mullin (Woking, Surrey / Dublin )

Stewart Nangle (Bacup, Lancashire)
 

Mick Gault said of his selection: “I am delighted to be representing England at the Commonwealth Games for the sixth time and I can't wait to get out there and compete for my country.

“I know there will be talk of records as there was in Delhi, but that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I love shooting and I love the Commonwealth Games and the opportunity to compete at the very highest level in the UK was too good to miss. This is about going out in front of big home crowds and enjoying my sport.

“I’m definitely the old boy of the team but training has been going very well and I hope I’ll keep the youngsters on their toes.”

Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said:

"It's great to see the mix of youth and experience in this squad and I'm delighted to welcome the first of Team England athletes for Glasgow 2014 on St George's Day." 

Team England’s shooting Team Leader Martyn White said: “I am delighted to have selected such a talented squad to represent Team England in Glasgow. Shooting has a proud tradition in the Commonwealth Games and I look forward to these athletes continuing that in Glasgow.”

Kristian Callaghan said: “I'm really pleased about being selected for Glasgow 2014 and I'm really looking forward to representing England at my first Commonwealth Games! This is a big positive step for my shooting career, so I think these games will provide me with a great experience and opportunity to showcase my event."

Dan Rivers said: I'm so pleased that I've been selected for my first Games. It has been my main goal since going to the Olympics as part of the Ambitions Programme to prepare athletes for the future.

“I've had two years to prepare and feel this year is going well so far and can't wait to compete. I'll be competing in all three smallbore events where I intend to make the Finals in each and contend for Medal positions.

Kenny Parr said: “I have represented Great Britain many times over my career, but it is something different and special to represent England. The Commonwealth Games is a special event and key to me taking up my sport, trying to follow in the footsteps of my father's achievements.

“I am honoured to be part of the team and look forward to once again wearing the England tracksuit with pride. I came home from the past games with two silvers and look to build on this experience and aim for gold in Glasgow.”

Geri Buckley said: “This is a fantastic step in my development as an international athlete and I am extremely proud to represent England. I feel privileged to be part of this celebration of sport and I intend to continue working hard towards a successful performance.”

Victoria Mullin said: “I am very excited about my selection to represent England for the Commonwealth Games and I am really looking forward to competing in Glasgow and giving it my all.”

Larissa Sykes said: “I am absolutely ecstatic about being selected, hard work really pays off, and I can not wait to go for the Gold in Glasgow!”

Sharon Lee said: “I am delighted to be selected for my forth games and I am hoping to improve on my silver medals from Melbourne and Delhi.

It will be the first time I have competed at a major international in the UK and I am looking forward to the Games.”

Sheree Cox said: I am truly honoured and excited to be selected as part of Team England for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014. Having the experience from the Delhi Games in 2010, I am feeling confident and prepared to shoot my best and peak in Glasgow with my training plan.

“I am looking forward to not only shooting side by side to some incredible world class athletes, but also challenging them to final places and of course podium positions.”

Lina Jones said: “I feel very honoured to be invited to represent my adopted country. I originally came to the UK in 1992 but I would never have imagined back then that I would end up representing England at the Commonwealth Games.

“This is a special opportunity and the Commonwealth Games shooting range is out at Carnoustie, so we're ready for difficult, windy conditions. My goal is to perform well, making every shot count and if that's enough for a medal in the end, I'll be overjoyed.”

Stewart Nangle said: “I am very proud to be chosen to compete for Team England at Glasgow, this is a real achievement for me as I only took up the sport about 5 years ago.”

Hannah Pugsley said: "I am super excited and the atmosphere in Glasgow will be nothing like I've ever experienced. I want to go out there do my best as a proud member of Team England.

"Of course I'll be aiming for a medal, but this is a whole new experience for me, I've never represented England and it's my first Commonwealth Games so I cannot wait to go and compete."

-ENDS –
 

For further details or interview opportunities with the squad please contact Claire Furlong on 07734 441610
 

NOTES TO EDITORS

Commonwealth Games England (CGE) leads and manages the participation of the Team England at the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games. We are affiliated to the Commonwealth Games Federation and work closely with the various sports’ National Governing Bodies (NGBs), funding partners such as Sport England, our commercial sponsors and Organising Committees. Our purpose is to help develop athletes and their sports, and to achieve success at Games-time.