Denise Lewis joined pupils at Dorrington Academy School in Birmingham to launch Commonwealth Games England's new partnership with npower ©npower

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis has helped launch Team England’s partnership with npower, who are encouraging the nation to show their support for the team at this year’s Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast. 

Lewis, the President of Commonwealth Games England, launched utility company npower as Team England’s official partner with pupils from Dorrington Academy School in Birmingham.

The school is in the shadows of the Alexander Stadium, a host venue for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 

"I’m delighted to be here to launch npower’s partnership with Team England, the support they give is invaluable in helping our athletes achieve success at the Games," Lewis, winner of the Olympic heptathlon at Sydney 2000 and in the Commonwealth Games at Victoria 1994 and Kuala Lumpur 1998, said.

"I know first-hand the power fan support can have on performance and the nation’s support will genuinely help Team England over in Australia.  

"The Games might be far away, but everyone can get behind our athletes and npower’s 'Power of Support' campaign will be integral to that, encouraging everyone back home to be a part of the Team England family.  

"Seeing the excitement from the kids today has been really special and I hope we have inspired something in them, not only to get behind Team England but also to go on and achieve their dreams themselves."

Lewis, together with Commonwealth Games and Paralympic gold medallist Dan Greaves, spent the morning teaching pupils about the Commonwealth Games before putting them through their paces in a PE lesson.

It is hoped that the npower
It is hoped that the npower "Power of Support" campaign will help England be successful at this year's Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast ©npower

"We are extremely proud to be supporting Team England at such an exciting time for the Commonwealth Games,"Ed Madden, npower’s head of marketing, said.

"As the only major event to feature able-bodied and Pra-athlete competitions together and an equal number of medal events for men and women, it particularly resonated with us. 

"It celebrates the best of sport where diversity and equality are embraced and celebrated. 

"That was such an important factor in npower’s support for the Superhero Series and our partnership with Commonwealth Games England raises this to another level.

“It is especially fitting to be here in Birmingham, the host city of the next Games in 2022.

"The West Midlands is an important hub for npower and we hope our support can truly make a difference to the team. 

"We want to encourage the public to get behind our athletes, their 'Power of Support' will be priceless and we hope it will help power Team England to its best performances yet."