Broadcast journalist Cathy Williams has been appointed Games manager at Commonwealth Games Wales ©CGW

Broadcast journalist Cathy Williams has been appointed Games manager at Commonwealth Games Wales ahead of Gold Coast 2018.

Williams, a former reporter with BBC Wales, will oversee activities around the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and associated events such as Queens Baton Relay.

She will work closely alongside CGW chief executive Chris Jenkins in what she had described as her “dream job”.

Williams’ appointment marks the latest key addition to the CGW team with less than two years’ to go before the next edition of the Commonwealth Games take place in Gold Coast after professor Nicola Phillips was chosen as Wales’ Chef de Mission for the event.

“Joining the team at Commonwealth Games Wales is a dream come true,” Williams said.

“My broadcasting career has given me great experience of working closely with sport organisations and elite athletes of all kinds, and I have always been truly inspired by their dedication when I've interviewed them for sport programmes.

“I'm really excited to have this opportunity to work even closer with Welsh athletes, and the team of managers, coaches and staff behind Team Wales.

“Ever since I was Colin Jackson's kit carrier as a very young child, I've known that I'd have a career in sport - and what better job than working with the very best athletes in Wales.”

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Cathy Williams has been appointed to a key role within Commonwealth Games Wales ahead of Gold Coast 2018, where they will bid to improve on their Glasgow 2014 performance ©Getty Images

Williams, who graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University with a degree in sport development, has held a number of roles within the journalism industry and recently produced Channel 4’s coverage of the International Paralympic Committee Swimming European Championships in Funchal.

She also presented a feature with Wales’ most famous footballer, Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, for the CBBC's Match of the Day Kickabout series ahead of the upcoming European Championships in France.

“We are delighted to welcome Cathy to the Commonwealth Games Wales team,” Jenkins added.

“She brings with her a wealth of experience of across all sports and an undeniable passion for Welsh sport.

"This role will significantly boost our planning and delivery capacity to make sure that we work effectively with Sport Wales and governing bodies to create the best performance environment possible for our athletes ahead of Gold Coast 2018."

Williams will be tasked with helping the Welsh team at the Commonwealth Games improve on their performance at Glasgow 2014, where they finished 13th overall with a total of 36 medals, five of them gold.