CGF President Louise Martin has met with schoolchildren in Beenleigh in Queensland ©Gold Coast 2018

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin has met with schoolchildren today in Beenleigh in Queensland as part of the Gold Coast 2018 Schools Connect initiative.

Martin was joined by Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters at St Joseph’s Tobruk Memorial School, where they had morning tea with students and teachers.

A total of 11 schoolchildren were presented with a special lapel pin from the Australian High Commission of Malta after the students chose the European county as their adopted Commonwealth Games Association (CGA).

This comes after they participated in a video conference call with Martin, Maltese athlete Rebecca Sare, who competed in the 4x100 metres relay and triple jump at Glasgow 2014, and representatives from the Maltese Olympic Committee, last summer.

The Gold Coast 2018 Schools Connect programme aims to link children in schools across the region with a CGA in a bid to increase interaction within the Commonwealth ahead of the Games in two years’ time.

"Sixty per cent of the Commonwealth’s population is under 30, so working with athletes to inspire and engage young people sits at the heart of the Commonwealth sports movement,” Martin said.

"The GC2018 Gold Coast Schools Connect programme is a fantastic opportunity to learn about other cultures, share values and build support for the athletes and teams preparing to go for gold on the Gold Coast in just over two years’ time. 

“I am delighted to see Australian youth enthusiastically sharing their stories and support with their Commonwealth counterparts as part of this important programme. 

Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin was joined by Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters at the school in Queensland to help promote the initiative helping promote the Games ©Gold Coast 2018
Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin was joined by Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters at the school in Queensland to help promote the initiative helping promote the Games ©Gold Coast 2018

Gold Coast 2018  is working with the 71 CGAs in order to identify schools in each country or territory to connect with their Australian counterparts.

So far, 15 Gold Coast schools have partnered with the scheme.

In the build-up to the Games, due to take place from April 4 to 15, the programme will allow schools to get involved in various activities to boost  enthusiasm for the event.

“The Gold Coast is preparing to host visitors from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories and the local school community will play a key role in welcoming them to the city,” Peters said.

“GC2018 Gold Coast Schools Connect aims to engage, excite, inform and involve the schools community in the lead-up to the Games.”