Lanarkshire 2011 International Children's Games

The full team got together for the first time at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, for a motivational speech from former Scottish rugby captain Gavin Hastings plus a briefing on the Manama 2010 Games by athletics coach Yvonne Murray.

Making up more than half the team is 12 highly regarded athletes from across South Lanarkshire. Lisa Thomson and Laura McCracken, both from Rutherglen, and Ross Maxwell and Arlene Barr of Cambuslang are all members of the very promising athletics team.

And for Mhairi Hendry from Hamilton, this will be her second International Children's Games after winning gold at last year's event in Athens.

From East Kilbride, Andrew Ravenscroft and Nicholas Coupland, also members of the athletics team will be joined in Manama by footballers Matthew Craig and Mark Brown.

And footballers Ross Stuart from Larkhall and Strathaven's Fraser Johnston will be joined in Manama by Law's Ryan Finnie who are all part of a very strong football squad.

The baton has now passed to the Manama squad which will compete on the world stage in athletics, football, sailing and Tae Kwon Do events.

As ambassadors for the region the talented young sports stars are hoping to surpass Team Lanarkshire's medal haul of one gold, two silver and four bronze from last year's Games in Athens.

Councillor Jim Smith, joint-chair of the Lanarkshire 2011 Organising Committee, said: "Winning medals will obviously be a huge boost for the athletes. However the principle ethos of the Games is all about competing in an atmosphere of solidarity, friendship and fair play.

"The whole experience of meeting youngsters from other countries and cultures will be a hugely positive and inspiring one that will benefit each and every one of the 20-strong team taking part."

"They will draw huge encouragement from the Manama Games, from competing in a new culture and surroundings to challenging other youngsters from so many different backgrounds. It is something they will remember and treasure for years to come."

The team members are:

Athletics - Lisa Thomson, Mhairi Hendry, Arlene Barr, Laura McCracken, Andrew Ravenscroft, John Higgins, Ross Maxwell, Nicholas Coupland

Football - Ross Stuart, Jack Leitch, Fraser Johnston, Keith Glen, Paul McCafferty, Matthew Craig, Mark Brown, Ryan Finnie.

Sailing - Emma Brown, Alasdair Logan

Tae Kwon Do - Aaron McAllister, Keiran Campbell