Bowls star Ali Merrien wore her well-earned silver medal proudly as she stepped through the gates at arrivals, much to the happy cheers of the awaiting crowd and her fellow teammates, who processed through the doors behind her singing a raucous chorus of ‘there’s only one Ali Merrien’.
The supportive atmosphere on show from Team Guernsey was something Mrs Merrien felt the benefits of at every one of her matches across the competition.
Her ever-present teammates cheering her on as she charged her way through the competition was a key facet that made her ‘fantastic fortnight’ at the Games so special when compared to the many other international bowls competitions where she has enjoyed success.
‘When we go away to world championships, there’s only two or three of you. You don’t quite get the same cheering, the same atmosphere’, she said.
‘The team spirit has been brilliant – just perfect’, added general team manager Karina Jackson.
‘Everyone gelled really well. Not just the athletes, but the management teams, the coaches, the medical team and also the hotel staff who looked after us where we were staying. Everyone really bought into the spirit of it. It was amazing.’
That ‘brilliant’ spirit was something Guernsey athletes also found commonplace beyond their own team, despite the fact that Glasgow, the host city, had only agreed to take on the event in September 2024 after the Australian city Victoria pulled out due to worries about the escalating cost of the Games. The Games were slightly trimmed back as a result.
‘Glasgow did an incredible job,’ said Mrs Jackson. ‘If they hadn’t stepped in to host, it could have been the end of the Commonwealth Games.
‘It’s such an important event for us. It's the highest platform Guernsey’s athletes can take part in representing their island before they move to represent Team GB instead. It also inspires future generations of Guernsey athletes. And for the athletes competing now too, it’s inspirational, getting to perform at that level against your heroes. It says to them, keep going, keep representing your Island, you can do it.’
Team Guernsey are set to return to the Commonwealth Games in four years’ time for its centenary event in Amdavad in India.
‘The whole thing was brilliant. Everybody excelled’
We asked the team and management, what will you remember best from Glasgow 2026?
Ali Merrien, bowler
‘The stand-out moment for me was having the Guernsey team there watching me and cheering me on. It was an absolutely fantastic experience.’
Ian Merrien, bowler, and husband of Alison Merrien
‘The highlight for me was when Ali got through to the finals. An exceptional performance. It was a slightly condensed games this year, but still really enjoyable.'
Paul Ingrouille, bowls team management
‘The whole thing was brilliant. Everybody excelled, and then the icing on the cake was Ali’s medal.’
Rose Ogier, bowler
‘The team spirit has been incredible.
‘My favourite moment on the court was beating Australia. And my favourite moment off the court was revelling in the win.’
Karina Jackson, general team manager
‘The highlight of the games for me was when we all watched Ali win her semi-final together. We were all in tears.’
Mandy Hobart, boxing development officer
‘Niall Adams winning his first bout was a great moment, but it was also just seeing everybody in general going to watch sports they wouldn’t normally watch to support each other.’
Angela Stuart, chair of Commonwealth Guernsey
‘When I got to present the medal to Ali. It was a last-minute arrangement.
'But it was also seeing all the hard work behind the scenes from our wonderful athletes. It was just brilliant. And everything ran smoothly, the volunteers 1000% helped, and the people of Glasgow made us feel so welcome.’
Abi Galpin, athletics (200m sprint and Long jump)
‘For me, the long jump was a bit of a bittersweet one. I jumped well, but I wasn’t quite happy with my execution.
'At the same time, it was a really great experience, and my first long jump at a competition of that level.
'Then we watched Josh Kerr win the mile, and had a great time watching the relays. There was a really great atmosphere.’
Emma Bendel, treasurer and acting secretary for this year’s games
‘The experience was unbelievable. Glasgow literally opened their hearts and their arms to us. Everywhere we went, there were people laughing and smiling and wishing us well. It was tremendous. The moment that made me cry was Ali winning.’
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