Covering my first Commonwealth Games has been everything I hoped it would be.
When people ask me how I’d sum up the past ten days, one word immediately springs to mind: surreal.
It all began at the Opening Ceremony. Sat in the media section, with some of the best seats in the house and little less than a sand wedge away from King Charles, it finally dawned on me where I was.
Around us, thousands of athletes from across the Commonwealth poured into the OVO Hydro, each wearing their nation’s colours with immense pride.
It was a sea of flags, smiles and excitement, and from that moment onwards, Glasgow 2026 never really slowed down.
The Commonwealth Games have been a feast of colour.
The pinks, purples and blues that became synonymous with Glasgow seemed to follow us everywhere, from the volunteers’ uniforms to the giant TNT Sports screens inside Tollcross Swimming Centre.
Those colours will forever remind me of these Games, and perhaps fittingly, one of the brightest memories came as they framed Filip Nowacki standing proudly on top of the podium with a Commonwealth gold medal around his neck.
To see Jersey sitting 15th in the Commonwealth medal table alongside sporting giants such as Canada, England and Australia is remarkable enough.
To know one young swimmer was responsible for putting our island there somehow makes it even more special.
But as incredible as Filip’s performances have been, it is the person behind the medals that has left the biggest impression on me.
Throughout the Games, I’ve been fortunate enough to interview Jersey’s athletes moments after they’ve stepped off the field of play.
Whether they’ve just produced a personal best, suffered a heartbreaking defeat or achieved a lifelong dream, those conversations have been honest, emotional and completely unscripted.
Speaking to Filip moments after his gold medal and witnessing that raw emotion is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
Those interviews taught me something. Behind every race, bowl, lift or fight are years of work that most people never see.
The standards these athletes set themselves are extraordinary, and the relief that washes over them afterwards is obvious.
Win or lose, every one of them represented Jersey with humility and pride.
The venues themselves have been exceptional. The Hydro is an incredible arena, while Tollcross produced an electric atmosphere every session.
Sitting alongside Paralympic legend Ellie Simmonds as she commentated for TNT Sports, or finding myself just yards from former Olympic sprinter Adam Gemili in the mixed zone, were moments that made me stop and think: “This is the Commonwealth Games.”
Outside the venues, Glasgow has been a wonderful host. My almost daily walk from the SEC campus into the city centre soon became one of my favourite parts of the day.
Following the River Clyde after another frantic schedule, occasionally catching the sunset breaking through the Scottish clouds, offered a rare chance to breathe before doing it all again the next morning.
And “frantic” really is the right word. There were days when it felt like I spent as much time running as the athletes.
More than once I found myself hurtling from the media tribune to the mixed zone to catch competitors before they disappeared, convincing myself I should have packed spikes rather than a notebook.
The fuel of choice? An alarming combination of Red Bulls and flat whites.
Thankfully, I wasn’t doing it alone. Sharing the experience with fellow sports reporter Oliver Kidman and photographer Robbie Dark has been a real pleasure.
Robbie’s photographs have been nothing short of exceptional, while Oliver has worked tirelessly across multiple venues.
Some days we barely saw each other as we chased different stories, but we dovetailed brilliantly, and it has been a privilege to experience an event of this scale alongside them.
One of the unexpected highlights has been the people.
As my time in Glasgow comes to an end, I won’t just remember the results.
I’ll remember the roar that greeted Steven Rabet as he walked onto the judo mat. I’ll remember the silence before Filip Nowacki launched himself into the water.
I’ll remember the tension of a bowls tie-break, the applause that greeted Oliver Dodds after every lift, the colour, the chaos and the conversations that followed every competition.
Most of all, I’ll remember the overwhelming pride shown by every member of Team Jersey.
To watch athletes from a small island stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest names in world sport has been a privilege.
Results will eventually be forgotten. Memories like these won’t.
GLASGOW 2026 – you have delivered.
As I’m sat here at this moment, it’s a struggle to sum up and put all of the emotion, all of the memories down on the page.
Not because I’m digging around struggling for inspiration, but rather that there’s simply too many to choose from.
Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, leaving my imagination to run wild. However, when a giant Tunnock’s teacake launched from the roof after King Charles III and Queen Camilla exited the TARDIS with Sir Chris Hoy during the opening ceremony, any last shred of expectation was chucked out the window.
If that’s how they started the Games off, then who had any idea where Glasgow would take us?
Let’s not forget these Games almost didn’t happen, after spiralling costs forced the state of Victoria, Australia to pull out of hosting duties.
But, Glasgow swooped in to save the day and thank goodness they did, as this year’s event has shown us that nothing brings people together quite like sport.
I couldn’t speak more highly of Glasgow as a city. The people here have been incredible hosts and we’ve felt welcome from the moment we arrived – everyone’s just been so friendly.
That’s certainly transferred over to the crowds who’ve filled the stands and flooded the arenas, as it’s been the people who’ve come to define Glasgow 2026.
No matter the sport, no matter the venue, the people have truly shown up to cheer on these incredible athletes.
Through the long hours, endless coffees and relentless workload, it’s been that energy, that buzz that’s kept me going – you just can’t help but buy in and while watching these men and women pull off incredible feats.
In the midst of the cheers and the waving flags, Jersey have never ceased to make their presence known at every venue.
For an island that’s only nine miles by five, ours has really punched above its weight and muscled out huge nations to make Caesarean voices heard – wherever I went, a Jersey flag was flying.
The 22 men and women they’ve been cheering on here at the Commonwealth Games aren’t just athletes – they’re heroes.
Not all have had the perfect Games they may have dreamed of, but as I followed every leap, every stride, every stroke and every bowl, it’s all left me feeling immensely proud to call Jersey my home.
That feeling definitely spiked on Tuesday evening, as Filip Nowacki stunned the world to win gold in the Men’s 200m breaststroke and prompted emotions I’d never felt before at a sporting event.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s been many a time where I’ve been standing, yelling at the TV – with England’s recent World Cup semi-final against Argentina the perfect example – but nothing’s stirred the emotion quite like this.
To see an 18-year-old from Jersey not just beat – but dominate – the world’s best is something I’ll never forget and it was just surreal to see the Island’s flag on top.
What I think many forget is that our athletes aren’t full-time professionals, but normal people who dare to dream, pushing their limits and making immeasurable sacrifices to do what they love.
One word sums up their performances – inspiring. Up against the world’s elite athletes, every member of Jersey’s team proved they aren’t just making up the numbers – they belong at this level, and every time I’ve been left inspired by what they’ve achieved.
So, what should we all take away from Glasgow 2026? What has this Jersey team showed the world?
For me, the answer’s simple – chase your dreams. It’s easy to say “there’s not enough time”, speak yourself out of things or let life obstruct you from doing those things you love, but how can we tell ourselves these excuses when you look at what these men and women have achieved?
Don’t say “I’ll try to find the time” – make time. If they can, so can you.
So go on, lace up those trainers, pick up that camera, put pen to paper – whatever that dream is at the back of your mind, just go for it, as we’re not here forever.
Finally, to the athletes who’ve flown the flag for us on the big stage, thank you. You’ve all made us so proud, put Jersey on the map and inspired us all – so go out and celebrate, you’ve earned it.
Glasgow 2026 will always hold a special place in my heart and it has been an experience I will never forget.
