Olympic bronze medallist Sarah Winckless has been appointed as Team England’s chef de mission for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Former rower Winckless – who won her medal at the 2004 Games in Athens, as well as two World rowing Championship golds – will lead the team to the Gold Coast competition in two years time.

She will also oversee the team during the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.

In 2015, Winckless was awarded an MBE for services to sport and young people. She was also the first woman to be appointed as the Boat Race umpire.

“Having been an international athlete, I understand what is needed to allow athletes to perform at their best at major events and I am looking forward to working with Commonwealth Games England (CGE) to ensure that we are as best prepared as we possibly can be,” said Winckless.

“Team England is a fantastic representation of modern England. We are proud to have a team that is diverse, inclusive and demonstrative of England in 2016,” she added.

“With the new para-programme at the Gold Coast Games including an increase of 45 per cent more athletes and 73 per cent more medals compared to the record-breaking para-sport competition at Glasgow 2014, we will have a chance to be even more inclusive of England’s hugely talented and inspirational para-athletes.”

England topped the medals table during the 2014 Commonwealth Games with 174 medals in total.

Winckless will report to CGE chief executive Paul Blanchard. Blanchard said her “experience, knowledge and skills mean that she is the right appointment”.