AUSTRALIAN Greg Warnecke has been appointed to one of the top jobs for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

His role, which he hopes to take up in August, will involve planning and delivering a quality sporting programme.

He will also be expected to foster relationships with national and international sports bodies as well as various organisations responsible for delivering the Games.

A spokesman for the organising committee of the Games said Mr Warnecke's appointment was key to the success of the event.

He added: "We will have 17 sports taking part and in each group there are singles, doubles, team events, male and female competitions.

"There are a lot of different events in each programme and Greg will be responsible for scheduling the sports programme.

"He will also ensure the venues meet the technical specifications of the International Sport Federation.

"Other people are responsible for the bricks and mortar but there are some very specific requirements of the sports governing bodies and we obviously have to make sure the venues meet the needs of each sport.

"Teams will also want to do pre-Games training in Glasgow and Scotland and the needs of the athletes in the run-up to the Games is also a really important part of Greg's job."

Mr Warnecke is currently general manager of the 2009 Australian Paralympic Youth Games, where he is responsible for putting Games planning into effect.

He also worked at the 2007 World Swimming Championships Corporation and 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation, both in Melbourne.

John Scott, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, said: "I am delighted Greg will be joining the team in this important position. Our ambition is to host an outstanding Games.

"This role has been one of my priority appointments as we want Glasgow 2014 to provide an unrivalled experience for the athletes and management teams.

"A world-class sports programme is a crucial part of this ambition and Greg's early appointment will ensure the organising committee is on top of all the athletes' and officials' requirements in the planning of the venues and the sports programme."

Mr Warnecke said: "I am looking forward to planning and delivering a quality sport programme for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"The sporting culture, passion and energy of the people of Scotland will play a major role in ensuring the success of the Games and I look forward to playing my part in that and to living in such a fantastic city as Glasgow."