Canon Missioner, the Rev Canon Dawn Matthew had a behind the scenes insight into the Commonwealth Games held recently in Glasgow as she volunteered to work as an Association Assistant at the sporting event – a perspective, she says, that was much more about people than podiums.

Here she reflects on her memorable experience at Glasgow 2026.

For most of us, the Commonwealth Games is something we watch on TV, although I imagine some of us might have watched in person this time, as the Games came back to Glasgow. We probably have a favourite event or athlete that we support all the way to the winning line – and didn’t Scotland deliver on the medal-front this time! This time, my experience was a very different one, as I volunteered to work as a Commonwealth Games Association Assistant (and alongside this as a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church), and it gave me a very different view of the Games – one that was much more about people than podiums.

Life behind the scenes was busy, a bit chaotic at times, and full of constant changes of plan. But it was also a real privilege to be alongside athletes and teams from across the Commonwealth as they went through it all.

A particular joy for me was working closely with the Commonwealth of Dominica team. In the midst of the bustle, there was a real sense of warmth and determination around their group. Dominica was a small team, with only three athletes, but it punched above its weight. The highlight of their Games – and a moment of national pride – came when Thea Lafond won Gold in the Triple Jump. Whether it was helping with logistics, finding solutions to unexpected challenges, or simply sharing a few words of encouragement, there was a genuine connection that grew over the course of the Games.

A lot of the job was simply being there — helping things run smoothly, solving small problems, and making everyone had what they needed. In between all that, there were brilliant moments of conversation with athletes: the excitement and nerves of competition – and the joy afterwards.

What stood out most was just how much goes into every single performance. By the time an athlete steps out to compete, they’ve already been a lot to get to that point – training, travel, pressure, expectation. Being able to offer a bit of calm support or a listening ear felt like it mattered more than I’d expected.

From a priest’s point of view, and especially as the Canon Missioner, it was also a reminder that the Church’s mission is often one of behind-the-scenes service; that mission isn’t always in church buildings or formal worship; it’s lived out wherever people are, in the ordinary and often unseen places of life. To serve in that context is to reflect something of Christ’s own ministry of presence – attentive, compassionate, and alongside others in their journey.

Glasgow 2026 was full of those moments. Behind all the medals and ceremonies were real people with real stories. It was a privilege to see a small part of that – and a reminder that service, kindness, and community are not just values we speak about in church, but ways of life we are called to embody wherever we are.

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