A WHOLE host of Renfrewshire athletes will be flying the flag for Team Scotland as the Commonwealth Games kicks off in Australia this week. 

Cyclist Jack Carlin from Paisley will be making his Games debut in the Gold Coast as he takes part in the individual sprint and keirin events. 

Kelvin Cham and Cara Kennedy, also from Paisley are part of the gymnastics squad alongside world and Olympic medallist Dan Purvis and reigning British floor and vault champion Frank Baines.

Steeplechaser Lennie Waite from Paisley will be competing in her third Commonwealth Games. 

While Kilbarchan AAC runner Callum Hawkins from Elderslie will compete in the marathon on the night of April 15. 

In badminton, Paisley born Eleanor O’Donnell will play women’s doubles and mixed doubles in Gold Coast, as well as participating in the Team event and Adam Hall, who lives in the town will be making his first appearance for team Scotland at the Games. 

Paisley squash player Kevin Moran plays in the singles event in Gold Coast and will be joined in the mixed doubles by Lisa Aitken.
In Hockey, Kenneth Bain, Alan Forsyth, David Forsyth, William Marshall and Lee Morton, who are all from or stay in Paisley, and Michael Bremner, who hails from Kilbarchan, are all part of the 18-strong men’s squad heading to the Games.

They face South Africa in their opening match on Thursday before playing Canada, Australia and New Zealand later in the week in their remaining games in Pool A. 

Basketball stars Nick Collins from Renfrew, Callan Low from Kilmacolm, Chris Cleary from Houston and Glasgow Rocks player and current Great Britain captain Kieron Achara who lives in Paisley are all part of the Team Scotland in Australia. 

They play England in their opening game in Pool B on Thursday morning before competing against Cameroon and India for the chance to progress.

While Ella Gibbons, who lives in Renfrew, is part of the 12-strong netball team, who face England in their first match in Pool B on Thursday, before coming up against Wales, New Zealand and Uganda.