THE Commonwealth Games get underway today (the opening ceremony has already taken place), with eight athletes from our corner of the world competing at Gold Coast 2018.

Seven of those are representing Team England, the exception being James Carson – the former Wellington School pupil, aged 23, having been selected in Wales’ men’s hockey squad.

Wales are in Pool B, with England, India, Malaysia and Pakistan; the hockey runs from April 5 to 14, with the medal events on April 14.

The women’s competition sees Maddie Hinch, who was at King’s College in Taunton from 2002 to 2007, looking to add Commonwealth gold with England to her Olympic gold with Team GB.

The 29-year-old, who began her goalkeeping career after being spotted by her PE teacher catching and diving while playing rounders, pulled off a number of stunning saves in the penalty shootout in the final at Rio 2016.

She will return to King’s on Saturday, June 2 to run a coaching camp for young goalkeepers (aged eight-17), and for adult keepers on June 3; visit her website to book (places strictly limited).

On the Gold Coast, England face India, Malaysia, South Africa and Wales in Pool A (also April 5 to 14).

From hockey to lawn bowls, and two more Team England stars with Taunton connections.

Rob Paxton has played for Taunton Deane and Ilminster Bowling Clubs, while 28-year-old Louis Ridout was born in Taunton.

Both are making their Commonwealth Games debut, but Paxton, who is 39, skipped England to gold in the World Triples Championships in New Zealand in 2016, their first win in the event for 26 years.

Paxton will compete in the men’s triples (April 6-8) and singles (April 9-13), with Ridout in the men’s pairs (April 5-9) and fours (April 9-13).

The remaining four to watch are participating in the shooting events.

Ed Ling, based in Nynehead near Wellington, is a three-time Olympian, winning bronze in Rio.

This will be the 35-year-old’s second Commonwealth appearance, competing alongside his wife Abbey.

The 31-year-old claimed silver with Anita North in the trap pairs at the Delhi 2010 Games.

David Luckman, who is 41 and was born in Taunton, has quite a Games debut to live up to.

At Glasgow 2014, he won gold in both the Queen’s Prize Individual and the Queen’s Prize Pairs events, so will be looking to repeat that achievement this year.

Ellie Seward will compete alongside the Lings in the trap, with the 20-year-old Richard Huish College student, from Chard, looking like an up-and-coming shooting star.

She won both the UK senior and junior championships in 2017, as well as coming fourth in the final of the 2017 Junior World Cup in Italy.

The Queen’s Prize Pairs (Luckman) takes place on April 10, the women’s trap (Abbey Ling and Seward) on April 13, and both the men’s trap (Ed Ling) and Queen’s Prize Individual (Luckman) on April 14.

Follow the athletes’ progress at the Games every day on the County Gazette website.