Leeds Beckett talent set to shine at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

As the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games get underway, athletes with Leeds Beckett connections are preparing to compete on one of sport's biggest stages.

Representing England, Scotland, Wales, Jamaica and the Isle of Man, the athletes demonstrate the impact of Leeds Beckett's sporting community, with current students, athletes supported through the University's performance programmes and alumni all taking to the Commonwealth stage.

Across gymnastics, athletics, netball, para swimming, para cycling and more, Leeds Beckett past and present talent will be in action throughout the Games.

Leeds Beckett scholarship athletes

Leeds Beckett's scholarship programme supports student-athletes competing at the highest level, helping them balance their sporting ambitions with their studies through financial assistance and access to world-class facilities and support services. Three scholarship athletes have been selected for Glasgow 2026:

• Harry Eyres – Gymnastics (Isle of Man) 
•  Connor Sullivan – Gymnastics (Scotland) 
•  Luke Whitehouse – Gymnastics (England) 

Gymnast Shanna-Kae Grant has also been named as a reserve for Team England.

Leeds Beckett alumni

A number of Leeds Beckett alumni will also be competing in Glasgow:

• Alex Botterill – Athletics, 800m (England) 
•  Emily Campbell – Weightlifting (England) 
•  Kadeena Cox – Para Cycling (England) 
•  Rhea Dixon – Netball (Jamaica) 
•  Brie Grierson – Netball (Jamaica)
• Henry Lewis – Gymnastics (Wales) 
•  David Mullarkey – Athletics, 5,000m/10,000m (Isle of Man) 

England netball captain and Leeds Beckett alumna Natalie Metcalf had been selected for the Games but has been forced to withdraw through injury ahead of the opening day.

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) helps talented athletes by providing access to support services that enable them to thrive both on and off the field of play. Four athletes supported through the scheme have been selected to compete in Glasgow:

• Lucy Hadaway – Long jump (England)
  
• Evie Lambert – Para swimming (England) 
  
• Elliott Vernon – Gymnastics (Wales)

Gymnast Jack Stanley has been named as a reserve for Team England.

Leeds Talent Hub

The Leeds Talent Hub brings together expert coaching, sports science and performance support to help talented athletes maximise their potential and progress within high-performance sport.

Three athletes connected to the programme will compete at this year's Commonwealth Games:

• Laura Muir – Athletics (Scotland) 
  
• Jade O'Dowda – Heptathlon (England) 
  
• Max Burgin – Athletics, 800m (England)