CASI SEARCHING FOR ANY EDGE

GOLD Coast heptathlete Casi Simmons has the ultimate home-ground advantage, and she intends to use every last centimetre of it.

The 22-year-old, who hopes to qualify for the event at next year’s Commonwealth Games, watched as workers broke ground on the athletics training track next to Metricon Stadium.

“It’s very exciting, it makes everything seem more real every day,” she said.

“I’m hoping to qualify – it’s been on the goal list for a long time now.

“It would be a huge advantage to have all my friends and family there cheering me on – I’ll be able to hear them.”

The training track is due for completion in December by Games contractor and sponsor Cockram, whose CEO Malcolm Battan happens to be a reigning Commonwealth Games champion.

Mr Battan won rowing gold at the 1986 Edinburgh Games – the last time rowing was a Commonwealth Games sport.

After completing the training track, the Melbournebased company will set to work inside the stadium, where temporary stands will be built for major events including the opening and closing ceremonies.