Sport

Grant gets Commonwealth nod

ATHLETICS NI have confirmed the appointment of Elaine Grant as assistant athletics coach for next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Grant (right) presently works as Athletics NI's talent development coach and has extensive experience both as an athlete and, more recently, in coaching and support roles. She competed herself at both Commonwealth Youth Games and World University Games.

More recently, amongst her many support roles, Grant acted as athletics coach at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man. "I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to support our Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games team in a coaching role at the 20th Commonwealth Games," said the former Abbey athlete. "I have wonderful memories from the Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh and know Glasgow will host a fantastic Games in 2014. "I look forward to working very closely with our athletes and coaches in their preparations and hope to do everything I can to assist them." Among Grant's special memories from those Youth Games in Edinburgh must be the fact that she met her husband Diarmuid there. The couple now live in Belfast and have a daughter Ellianna. Diarmuid is a well-known local runner and was sixth in the Belfast Marathon two years ago.