Commonwealth Games Wales (CGW) have announced that they are prepared to consider someone for the role of Chef de Mission who does not have a traditional sporting background, normally required by all team leaders for such major events.

“Preparations are well underway to create and deliver a high performance environment at the Gold Coast 2018 Games," said Helen Phillips, chair of CGW. 

"These Games will be the next opportunity for Welsh athletes to represent Wales in an international multi-sport event.

"As always, we aim to support athletes to excel and surpass their rivals.

“The Chef de Mission will work closely with our chief executive, Chris Jenkins, and the Board prior to the Games to ensure an outstanding delivery model is put in place to enable excellence in all areas of delivery expected in an elite sporting environment.

“It is widely recognised that strong leadership plays a major part in achieving sporting success.

"By casting the net beyond the world of sport, we hope to attract a greater number of applications from people who can demonstrate excellent leadership and motivational abilities, as well as a passionate understanding of Welsh sport and its importance for the public in Wales.”

The team's Chef de Mission at Glasgow 2014 was Brian Davies, a former rugby player, who worked for Sport Wales.

He guided Wales to their most successful performance for 12 years as they finished 13th overall with a total of 36 medals, five of them gold.

"It was a great honour to act as Chef de Mission in Glasgow,” said Davies, appointed as director of elite performance at Sport Wales following the Games. 

“It can be a challenging role with a lot of responsibility, but it is also hugely rewarding and gratifying, especially when you see the team succeed as they did in Glasgow.

“It truly was an experience of a lifetime for me and I’d encourage anyone with the passion, enthusiasm and leadership abilities to take on this role to apply.

“There will be some very different challenges for the next Chef, not least the distance and time difference between Australia and Wales.

"This will make it more important than ever to get the whole of Wales behind the team."

Gymnast Frankie Jones, winner of a gold medal in the ribbon at Glasgow 2014, will be among those making the decision having been appointed to the Board of CGW.

“We were very lucky in Glasgow to have Brian Davies lead the team," she said. 

"His wealth of knowledge of elite sport, his passion for Wales and the Team and his brilliant leadership skills helped to motivate and focus us as athletes.

"I am really looking forward to seeing who will be at the helm to take Team Wales to the next Commonwealth Games.”

The recruitment process was officially opened today, with interested candidates having until February 29 to send their cv's to Jenkins at [email protected].

Interviews are due to be held in the week commencing March 7.

The chosen candidate will be announced on April 4, the date marking two years until the start of the Games.