SO, THE curtain has come down on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and like with any major championships I have been involved in as an athlete, it’s time to reflect.

From day one, the atmosphere in Birmingham and across the West Midlands ramped up and just kept on giving right through to the final day of Birmingham 2022.  Of course, the beautiful weather helped, and we were able to convince those visitors from warmer climates that the UK isn’t always grey and wet!

One thing that was great, was our uniform, which was made by a West Midlands company. I felt part of a great team, dressed in my grey and orange outfit – everyone involved in the Games had the same attire, but the only issue was I couldn’t help spectators with directions as well as our trained enthusiastic volunteers, known as the Commonwealth Collective.

As safeguarding sits within my remit, my Games time my role involved working with the safeguarding triage team to address any issues to ensure athletes, volunteers and our workforce were safe and supported. 

I also supported our accessibility team, and we worked to make our Games and accessible and inclusive and completed a mix of morning and evening shifts to solve issues where needed.  Amongst all these responsibilities I made time to represent Birmingham 2022 at various events during the Games.

New Zealand House hosted an event called the ‘Celebration and Call To Action for Women & Sport’ where I chaired a panel of leaders in sport. 

The day involved a handover of the International Working Group (IWG) for Women and Sport from New Zealand to the UK. 

The panel included special guests: Isa Guha, former England cricketer and broadcaster; Chris Grant, Sport England Board Member and IWG Bid Committee Member; Katie Sadleir, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation; Pippa Britton, Paralympian, Deputy Chair Sport Wales, UKAD. 

The fruitful discussion about women in sport concluded with a question to all panellists – what one thing do you want to change with regards to gender inequality?  Responses included, visibility, leadership and accountability.

You may remember I mentioned that Birmingham 2022 financially supported several large existing festivals in Birmingham. 

One of which was Jamaica 0121, which took place on the very day of the Jamaican 60^th Independence Anniversary.  Jamaica 0121 took place at Aston Hall on August 6-7 and the Games delivered sports activations for attendees to ‘come and try’.

These sports included squash, wheelchair basketball and boxing.  Participants really enjoying their experience of these commonwealth sports.  I even took my team to try some Jamaican cuisine and introduced them to sugar cane – something that took me back to being in the Caribbean, best served cold.

On that same evening I attended the Association for Jamaica Nationals Gala Dinner and Awards hosted by Beverly Lindsay OBE DL.  The evening presented several speeches including one from John Crabtree OBE, the Chair of Birmingham 2022.

My highlight of the Games was having the opportunity to attend the penultimate morning session of the athletics. 

Of course, the 400m final for women and men were on the programme, so I was already prepared for my blood pressure to go through the roof. 

I now understand how my family felt when watching me compete, it’s worse watching than competing.  Having three women in the final from Team England was brilliant to see and they did well finishing 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th and with Matt Hudson Smith from Birmingham achieving a Silver medal it puts the team in good stead for the European Championships in Munich.

The noise from the home crowd throughout the session gave me a sense of pride, especially as I see all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes for events to succeed and seeing my ‘second home’ come to life with the roars of the crowd was uplifting – I wish I was still able to compete at a home Games.

Another question I’ve been asked is what’s going to happen to the Bull from the Opening Ceremony. Well, what a magnificent piece of machinery it is. 

Since the Bull moved to Centenary Square, the crowds have flocked daily to see it. So, what will happen to the Bull? 

The Bull will remain in Centenary Square until the end of September as part of the Games cultural programme.  Partners are in discussion about finding it an indoor location after that.

Now the Games are over, this is when the real work starts to ensure that all the Games partners continue to deliver on legacy.  Legacy will support all our communities to access opportunities and the benefits, with equality, diversity, and inclusion a key theme throughout.

Our cross-partner legacy programmes include:

• Infrastructure developments including the new aquatics centre at Sandwell and the revamped Alexander Stadium, plus the redevelopment of Perry Barr in Birmingham with 1,400 new homes.
• Physical activity and wellbeing – significant Sport England regional and national investment of £35m million to support opportunities for the least active to engage with sport and physical activity, including a legacy from the Games venues.
• A £24m Business and Tourism Programme to showcase Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK to international investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, event organisers and visitors which will continue until post Games.
• A Youth and schools engagement programme, with the national learning offer for schools.
• A £10m Jobs and Skills Academy investing in training to ensure residents have the skills to be able to take advantage of the opportunities driven by the Games.
• A 6-month free-to-access Cultural Programme across the West Midlands, supported by £12m investment from Arts Council England, Spirit of 2012, and other partners.
• Ambitious sustainability commitments including a commitment to leave a sustainable and carbon neutral legacy with planting of a 2022 acre forest.

This is something that may interest you. Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in collaboration with DCMS and Sport England, are gifting 16,000 pieces of sports equipment used at Games venues and training facilities to local sports clubs, charities, and community groups, such as boxing gloves, martial arts mats, netball bibs, basket balls and T20 cricket equipment.

We want to ensure the sports equipment benefits communities in the West Midlands so that the legacy of the Games will remain for years to come.  So, if you have or know a sports club, charity, community group or a programme that delivers sports and physical activity in your community in the West Midlands, that wants to find out more and apply for equipment, please visit www.sportengland.org/equipmentgiveaway   

Whilst the Commonwealth Games have finished, we still have several amazing weeks planned for the B2022 Festival, check out what’s on: https://www.birmingham2022.com/festival

So, that’s what’s next for Birmingham 2022, but what’s next for me? No holidays for me I will spend the next month collating all the lessons learned within my role over the past year and begin writing a comprehensive report which will form part of our transfer of knowledge process for future Commonwealth Games.

A few things I would like to share before I sign off.

Firstly, I want to thank Rodney Hinds from The Voice who has supported me ever since I was an athlete and now given me the platform to share an insight on Birmingham 2022.

Secondly, thank you to you, the readers who have taken the time to read my blog which I hope you found informative.

Finally, thank you to my colleagues at Birmingham 2022. I couldn’t have been part of a better team.  True resilience and a thank you to the city of Birmingham for adopting me this past year. 

I know I will be back for sure to visit my second home soon – you cannot get rid of me that easily. The new Alexander Stadium will hold many world class athletics events for years to come, so I most definitely will be back!

Over and out!