39 make up Team Cook Islands

A team of 39 athletes and officials will represent the Cook Islands at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 3.

Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) chief executive officer Team Cook Islands chef de mission Robert Graham said the Cook Islands will compete in four sports codes at the games.

Local athletes will compete in athletics, lawn bowls, rugby sevens and weightlifting.

The lawn bowls and rugby sevens team have until the end of the month to confirm their squads for the multi-sports event.

Alex Beddoes (800m/400m), Tereapii Tapoki (shot put/discus) and Patricia Taea (sprints) will represent the country in the track and field events, while sole female weightlifter Luisa Peters, currently in training at the Weightlifting Institute in Noumea, will compete in the women’s 75kg+ division.

As well as individual team coaches and managers, Team Cook Islands will also include former Cook Islands Olympic athlete Mark Sherwin as general team manager, administration officer Siniva Marsters and attach Tupuna Mitchell.

CINews deputy editor, Matariki Wilson and CITV’s cameraman Mac Marona will be part of the team to cover and report on the team’s performance on and off the field.

Fundraisers for the team will also be rolling out over the coming months and the general and sporting family are asked to show your generosity when the fundraisers are organised and run.

Meanwhile Graham is set to fly to Scotland this weekend for the chef de mission meeting, where he will inspect various venues and the games village for athletes and report back on his return.