Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) across the world will be marking Commonwealth Day by attending celebrations, including CGF representatives and athletes from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who will be in attendance at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey, London.

The Commonwealth Secretariat theme for the day is ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’. The CGF is focusing on promoting the Year of Youth in 2023, with emphasis on building a better tomorrow for the young people of the Commonwealth.

At the CGF, the Year of Youth in 2023 has particular significance, with the Commonwealth Youth Games taking place in Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August.

The Games will be hosted across both islands, with a sporting programme of Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling (Road and Track), Triathlon, FAST5 Netball, Rugby Sevens and Beach Volleyball. Emerging athletes aged 14-18 will be competing.

Dame Louise was a driving force behind the launch of the Commonwealth Youth Games, with the first taking place in Edinburgh in 2000. There have since been five further Games, with Trinbago 2023 the first to take place since 2017, in the Bahamas.

Dame Louise said: “I send my warmest wishes to all the people of the Commonwealth today, as we celebrate Commonwealth Day 2023.

“At the CGF our focus is continually on building a brighter future and uniting people across our 72 nations and territories through sport.

“There are more than 1.5 billion people under the age of 30 across the Commonwealth, making up more than 60% of the population. With 2023 designated the Year of Youth by the Commonwealth Secretariat, we have even more reason to delight in the return of the Commonwealth Youth Games, taking place in Trinidad and Tobago in August.

“When we launched the Games, our mission was to provide a pathway for young athletes to transition from the junior ranks through to the Commonwealth Games themselves, and it has given me great joy to watch the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill, Chad le Clos and Caster Semenya making this journey.

“When I think of the word youth, I think of young people enjoying being in sport. We’ve got some brilliant young people throughout the Commonwealth, and I can’t wait to see many of them expressing themselves at Trinbago 2023. They are the stars and leaders of the future and it is our responsibility to nurture them and showcase their incredible talent.”

1:03