This summer, Birmingham plays host to the 2022 Commonwealth Games. A multisport event that takes place every four years and includes athletes from all of the Commonwealth countries across the globe. Unlike in the Olympics, in the Commonwealth Games athletes compete for Wales rather than Great Britain.

Proceeding the games is the Queen’s Baton Relay. This is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London where the Queen entrusts the baton to the first relay runner.

At the opening ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games. On 7 October 2021, at a special event at Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty the Queen placed her message into the Baton, signifying the start of the 294-day Relay to the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

As part of the Welsh leg of the relay the Baton will pass through Merthyr Tydfil on the afternoon of Saturday 2 July. The Baton will travel in a procession along the Taff Trail, starting at Aberfan Community Centre before finishing outside Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre, where there will be some free sporting activities on offer. Further details and times will be shared nearer to the event.

Ellis Cooper, Chief Executive of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: “I’m immensely proud that the Queen’s Baton Relay will pass through Merthyr Tydfil as part of its official journey. Merthyr Tydfil has a rich sporting heritage and we have seen athletes compete for Wales in the games as recently as 2018.

“We have a fantastic network of sport and physical activity providers across the county borough, who support Merthyr Tydfil residents to be healthy and active. We also have amazing volunteers and activists who do so much to support their local community, and it’s great that we will be able to showcase some of these people as part of the event also.”

Each leg of the Queen’s Baton relay features Baton Bearers, who carry the Baton along its journey. Baton bearers are local people who have inspired others, made an impact in their community or are representative of the values of the Commonwealth Games.

The council are now looking to the Merthyr Tydfil community to nominate Baton Bearers for this event. These bearers will wear official Queen’s Baton relay uniform and will carry the Baton as part of the procession in July. The Welsh criteria for nominations are below.

An individual/ individuals who have helped and/or impacted their community in a positive way.
Someone who holds unique and inspiring stories of their past or present actions. Perhaps someone who has contributed to sport, education, the arts, culture or charitable within their community and / or wider networks.
A figure who encourages and supports others to achieve positive challenges and succeed to the best of their ability at every obstacle or has overcome and challenges themselves for the greater good.
The individual may also be a family member of an important community figure that has sadly passed but still holds a great deal of importance and respect within the community.

Nominations are open from today (23 March 2022) and close on April 30. You can make a nomination here – https://www.merthyr.gov.uk/do-it-online/request-or-apply/commonwealth-games-2022-queens-baton-relay-bearer-nomination/?lang=en-GB&