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Going for gold: Milton Keynes athlete receives coach name honour
Milton Keynes athlete Andrew Baggaley unveiled a National Express coach named in honour of his impressive sporting achievements.
The naming took place at Milton Keynes Coachway on Friday 13 January 2012 to recognise the Commonwealth hopeful’s commitment to table tennis. National Express sponsor the Commonwealth Games England (CGE) team and also provided Andrew Baggaley with free coach travel to assist with training.
28 year old Andrew is three times English Men’s Singles National Champion and Britain’s leading table tennis medallist of all time at the Commonwealth Games, winning two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.
Andrew said: “The National Express sponsorship offers essential assistance in the build up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. With the cost of petrol at an all time high it will make travel much easier and also help me rest after intense training as I no longer need to drive."
The dedicated coach, which will travel hundreds of thousands of miles between the North West of England and London, will carry Andrew’s name at the entrance door and underneath the driver’s window.
“I am deeply honoured that National Express has chosen to put my name on one of their coaches and I believe this unique sponsorship will also help to lift the profile of table tennis in the UK.” Andrew added.
Luke Dirou, Commercial Director of National Express UK Coach said: “We’re proud to support emerging British sports stars such as Andrew by providing unlimited free coach travel to assist with their training and competitions.
We’ve dedicated coaches to sportsmen and women across the country and will be delighted to unveil this special design in recognition of Andrew’s achievements in the Commonwealth Games. Hopefully it will raise awareness of the commitment and dedication that these young people show to British sport.”
National Express’ free travel initiative enables all medal winning athletes from the 2010 Commonwealth Games England team to attend training; competitions and championships up and down the country, as well as trips to visit family and friends.
National Express has also painted one of its coaches gold in honour of the athletes who are currently training and competing to represent England at the next Commonwealth Games. The coach travels between London, Brighton and Heathrow Airport covering an average of 150,000 miles per year - the equivalent of running 5,725 marathons.
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