With 82 days to go until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April, Team England has selected its weightlifters and Para-Powerlifters who will compete for ‘Team and Country’ in Australia.

The squad of 18 athletes will compete for Team England in the weightlifting (clean and jerk and snatch) and Para-Powerlifting categories in the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre from 5 to 10 April.

Nine of the athletes on the team have experienced a Commonwealth Games previously, with five medals between them.

Zoe Smith will be appearing at her third Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. The four-time British record holder became the first ever English woman to win a weightlifting medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010.

Zoe followed this feat with a spectacular gold in Glasgow 2014 and set a new Games record in the process. She said:

Glasgow 2014 bronze medallist and Team England ambassador, Ali Jawad, will be competing in the Para-Powerlifting discipline. He said:

Team England will send a team of around 600 athletes and staff in what will be England’s largest ever team to represent the nation in an overseas sporting event. The team will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events.

Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission for Commonwealth Games England, said:

“I’m really excited to welcome our weightlifting and para-powerlifting athletes to the team today. We have a good mix within the group of 18 with defending Commonwealth Games champions and first timers being selected alongside each other.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them learn and grow from each other in the Games environment on the Gold Coast next April.”

British Weightlifting Chief Executive Officer Ashley Metcalfe said:

“Our squad is a real blend of new and experienced lifters, highlighting the true breadth and depth of talent currently available in England. We are most grateful to both Team England and Sport England for their continued support in providing a great opportunity for all our squad to be well prepared and in great shape for the Games. It is hugely exciting and a great opportunity for all the squad to showcase their talents, all ahead of a home Games in 2022.”

Feeling all at sea about New Year's resolutions? No fear! Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. That's the advice of Gold Coast super fish turned health coach Karla Gilbert. Unrivalled in the surf, Australia's most decorated Ironwoman – holding two world titles, three national championships and seven series crowns, alongside four stand-up paddle (SUP) Australian titles – has always found health, fitness and happiness in her own back yard.

Born and raised on the Gold Coast – a destination famed for 57km of coastline, set to shine this April as the most iconic beach backdrop in Commonwealth Games history – Karla is a believer in the power of the ocean and nature as the ultimate leveler. Swimming in it, she says, might just change your life. Read Karla Gilbert's tips on why ocean swimming is the perfect exercise for body and mind.

New Year. New You? Yo! Kickin' it!

To celebrate summer, join a community of the world's happiest people (yes, studies prove it) by diving into one of the fastest growing recreational sports on the planet: ocean swimming. An activity that can reportedly help you live longer, look younger, burn more calories than running and football and even boost your IQ!

A pioneer for Black footballers in the UK, alongside the late Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, the trio was nicknamed the ‘Three Degrees’ by their then-West Bromwich Albion manager Ron Atkinson.

Cyrille Regis scored 112 goals in 297 appearances for the Baggies before joining Coventry City for £250,000 in 1984.

Appointed an MBE in 2008, the former England international, who also played for Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, returned to West Brom as a coach before becoming a football agent.

He who won five caps, scored 62 goals in 274 appearances for Coventry and was a crucial part of their FA Cup-winning side in 1987. He retired from football in October 1996.

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to "a great man who helped to set the foundations for others. He will always be remembered."

A gentle man away from football, such was his threat on the field, particularly when subjected to heavy physical attentions from opponents, that opposing managers used to specifically instruct their players not to upset him or annoy him in any way as the results could be devastating. In full flight, Regis was a magnificent sight.

Former Albion player, Jason Roberts, who is Regis’ nephew, once described his uncle as; “twice the player I was, twice better looking, and he always looked half my age.”

I look back at my uncle and have to say that he was lost to the game in terms of coaching, management or administration.”

Laurie Cunningham died in a car crash in Spain in 1989.

Regis, Cunningham and Batson are due to be honoured with a 10ft statue, called ‘The Celebration,’ in West Bromwich. It is set to be unveiled this season, following a delay.

Cyrille was 59

British sprint star Sophie Kamlish will compete for the first time since winning world T44 100m gold when the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow heads to the Emirates Arena on Sunday 25 February 2018.

Ranked as the number one indoor athletics meeting in the world, the Müller Indoor Grand Prix returns to Scotland having been held in Glasgow for the first time in 2016 as the city alternates hosting with Birmingham up to 2020.

Coming off the best year to date following another world record break and a first global title at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, Kamlish will join a host of British stars in competing in Scotland for the very first time when she races over 60m on February 25.

Speaking on competing in Glasgow on Feb 25, Kamlish said:

“It’s hugely exciting to be a part of the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow – racing indoors brings a different dynamic with the crowd so close, and I can’t wait to get out there and compete come February 25.

On her expectation of the event and the race itself, the 21-year-old added:

“The likes of Sammi (Kinghorn) and Maria (Lyle) talk so passionately about Scotland and the athletics fans up there, so to be able to compete at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow is a great opportunity. Hopefully I can put in a great performance for the crowd at the Emirates Arena.

“I know the field I’ll be up against will be a tough one – domestically Laura Sugar is always a threat and I’ll expect nothing less if she is there, while there are some seriously quick girls from across the world, so it’s sure to be both a fast and entertaining race.

British Athletics’ Major Event Director, Cherry Alexander said:

“To be able to showcase Para athletics stars within our events is hugely important – stretching back to 2012 we know that interest levels from the public are through the roof, and I’m sure the two Para races taking place in Glasgow will contribute to a continuous growth in interest too.

“Sophie was one of several stars on the British team at the World Para Athletics Championships in London. In London she used the home crowd to her advantage, and I imagine we may well see something special when she takes to the start line on February 25.”

The Müller Grand Prix Glasgow is the final of the prestigious IAAF World Indoor Tour, with wildcards for the IAAF World Indoor Championships available to athletes who have not already qualified to compete for their nation.

The final selections for the Team England swimming squad for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games have been announced.

Amongst the line-up is double Commonwealth silver medallist Aimee Willmott, Commonwealth champion James Wilby and Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth champion Ollie Hynd MBE.

This will be Willmott’s third outing for Team England, experiencing her first major international at Delhi 2010, and then claiming two silver medals at Glasgow 2014. The Middlesbrough-born swimmer was selected on the basis of her performance at the Swim England National Winter Championships, where she won 400m IM gold within the selection time.

Commenting on her selection, Willmott said: “My first memories of senior swimming were at the Commonwealth Games. I swam at Deli and I was one of the youngest on the team and this time round I’ll be one of the oldest on the team.

“It’s a great environment for more swimmers from England to make the team and get that experience – that’s one of the great things about the Commonwealths.”

For Wilby, this will be his second Commonwealth Games, having been part of the gold medal winning 4x100m Medley Relay team at Glasgow 2014. The York-born swimmer made two selection times at the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017, as well as securing a hat-trick of gold medals.

Wilby said: “The Commonwealth Games is always an enjoyable experience. Glasgow 2014 was the first international meet that I ever competed in, and it’s always good because it’s known as the friendly games. It’s good to get some experience and race against some great guys.”

Mansfield-born Hynd is no stranger to the senior ranks in swimming, and is one of the few athletes to hold the para-swimming grand slam. The 23-year-old also currently holds World records in the 200m and 400m Freestyle (S8) as well as the SM8 200m Individual Medley. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealths will be Hynd’s second outing for Team England.

Hynd said: “I am very proud to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games, it’s a great privilege to represent Team England. I can’t wait to get out to Gold Coast and experience the amazing atmosphere of the Games. In the pool I’ve been working very hard to be in the best shape possible to try and defend the title I gained four years ago in Glasgow.”

The swimmers are three of 24 athletes to be announced today, and will be joining the 15 athletes announced following the first phase of selections by Swim England on 4 October 2017.

Also announced today are three additions to the Team England coaching staff, Head Coach at Newcastle SC Ryan Livingstone, Loughborough University Performance Coach Ian Hulme and Millfield School’s Director of Swimming, Euan Dale.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Team Leader Grant Robins said: “The announcement today completes our team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and we’ve got a blend of experienced athletes and some new younger swimmers in our team, this is what the selection policy was designed to achieve.

“We had a great National Winter Championships in Sheffield last month and it’s looking good for the Gold Coast. Hopefully by the end of the six days of competition in Australia this April we will have a few medals in the bag, personal best times achieved and lots of great experiences gained ready for the road ahead.”

The announcement comes just three months before the opening ceremony of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on 4 April 2018.

Team England Chef de Mission Sarah Winckless said: “I’m delighted to welcome the full swimming squad to Team England for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

“There are less than 90 days to go to the start of the Opening Ceremony and this announcement is a big milestone for the team. The swimming squad is a great balance of youth and experience and I am sure they will do the nation proud, competing for Team and Country in Australia this April.”

Olympic and world finalist Andrew Butchart (coach: Terrance Mahon, club: Central AC) has identified the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow as his first major outing of 2018 and is relishing the chance to compete at the Emirates Arena on Sunday 25 February.

Ranked as the number one indoor athletics meeting in the world, the Müller Indoor Grand Prix returns to Scotland having been held in Glasgow for the first time in 2016 as the city alternates hosting with Birmingham up to 2020.

Joining a stellar line-up which includes fellow Scot Eilidh Doyle and three of Britain’s 4x100m world champions, Butchart will race over 3000m at Glasgow’s indoor arena.

Stiff competition to the Olympian will be led by reigning Olympic and world steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto and the USA’s two-time 5000m global medallist Paul Chelimo.

Looking ahead to the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow, Andrew Butchart said:

“2018 will be yet another huge year for me, and to kick it off at the world’s biggest and best grand prix on February 25 will be incredible, especially with it being on home soil and with the crowd in my corner.”

On memories of competing in Glasgow, Butchart added:

“Having competed at the 2016 Grand Prix in Glasgow I know that the noise made by the fans inside the Arena is incredible. With the field I will be up against they play such an important role for me, and I’m determined to kick off my 2018 with a bang on home soil.”

British Athletics’ Major Event Director, Cherry Alexander said:

“Be it on the track or the mud, the way Andrew attacks races and leads from the front makes him exciting to watch. I’ve no doubts that the home support in the Emirates will galvanise him to fight right to the line in what is sure to be a great race against some of the world’s best athletes.

“There is quite rightly a lot of praise being heaped on Scotland’s emerging talents, and Andrew has been at the forefront of that charge in the past two years. Those who buy tickets to come and watch him compete in Glasgow will not be disappointed.”

The Müller Grand Prix Glasgow is the final of the prestigious IAAF World Indoor Tour, with wildcards for the IAAF World Indoor Championships available to athletes who have not already qualified to compete for their nation.