By Gareth James
Anwen Butten will captain Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this month and the veteran of five previous events hopes her huge experience can inspire others.
The lawn bowls double bronze medalist from 2002 and 2010 will lead her country at her sixth Games, which starts on July 28.
Butten, 49, first represented Wales at the Games at Manchester in 2002 and 20 years later the wheel will have turned a full circle with the event returning to England for the first time since.
“It’s an honour to be asked to captain Team Wales at Birmingham this summer,” said Butten.
“As athletes, you prepare yourself to compete and you concentrate on your performance but the truth is, the environment and the team around you makes such a difference.
“I’m hoping I can use my experience to support those athletes who might be coming to their first Games, but also help inspire the full team.”
CYHOEDDIAD | ANNOUNCEMENT
It’s official…Anwen Butten is our #TîmCymru Captain for @birminghamcg22
Llongyfarchiadau Anwen, we can’t wait for you to lead us on the Road to Birmingham🥳
More info here👉https://t.co/0lctCeIdTm
📸Carwyn Rhys Jones pic.twitter.com/dOW17tsSoc
— Tîm Cymru 🏴 Team Wales (@TeamWales) July 8, 2022
Butten succeeds triathlete Non Stanford as Wales captain and will be bidding to equal or surpass the team’s achievement on the Gold Coast in Australia four years ago where Wales won a record 36 medals – 10 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze.
Butten recently took part in the Queen’s Baton Relay through Wales and was joined on the route by son Hari and daughter Alis, both fellow bowlers.
Here’s our new @birminghamcg22 Team Wales Captain, Anwen Butten!🏴 pic.twitter.com/Q88hp6scOA
— Tîm Cymru 🏴 Team Wales (@TeamWales) July 8, 2022
A cancer clinical nurse specialist with the Hywel Dda University Health Board, Butten plays for Lampeter Bowling Club during the outdoor season and at Carmarthen Indoor Stadium during the winter.