Written by Cleavon Shand
This summer, Glasgow welcomed thousands of volunteers to support the delivery of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Among them was Cleavon Shand, senior radiographer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, who joined the Boxing Field of Play Team.
Taking place from 23 July until 2 August, this year’s Commonwealth Games brought the event back to Glasgow – only the third city to host the event twice.
'Incredibly rewarding'
Cleavon said: “Volunteering at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games was an amazing experience. On day one we received training and met the sport competition management team and fellow volunteers. On the second day I operated athlete services in the warm-up area, and on the third day I was a nation board bearer. It was incredibly rewarding, and I would very much like to participate in another sporting event in the future.”
Every four years, 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories converge on the host city to compete in 215 medal events.
The fast-paced environment offered a unique opportunity to contribute to a major international sporting event while developing valuable personal and professional skills, Cleavon said.
He added that wearing the games uniform became a conversation starter with local residents, many of whom offered warm encouragement, shared stories of the city, and even provided walking tours of Partick, complete with recommendations for places to eat, drink and visit.
'Kindness and pride'
(Image: Cleavon Shand)
Cleavon continued: “The kindness and pride shown by Glaswegians made the experience even more memorable. Being part of such a major event has inspired me to look ahead to future opportunities, including the Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games.”
This experience highlighted the value of volunteering in strengthening communities, broadening horizons and showcasing the spirit of collaboration that underpins both healthcare and international sport, Cleavon emphasised.
Australia took home the most medals from the competition, with 171. England took second place with 110 medals, and Canada came in third with 62 medals.
(Image: Volunteers at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, via Cleavon Shand)