Commonwealth Games Memories | Steve Glasson reflects on the moments that shaped his Games journey

As the countdown to Glasgow 2026 continues, World Bowls is celebrating the rich history of bowls at the Commonwealth Games by inviting some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes to reflect on the moments that have meant the most to them.

Scotland’s Willie Wood represented his country at eight Commonwealth Games between 1974 and 2010, winning four medals, including two golds. Here, he shares his Commonwealth Games memories in his own words.

“When I was asked for some of my memories from the Commonwealth Games, it was a great opportunity to have a wee trip down memory lane and it is quite amazing to think that I have appeared in eight Games in total over the years I have been playing bowls.

The first one, thinking back, was in 1974 when I played in New Zealand and I was picked to play in the singles. It was a great honour to be picked and such an opportunity to go out to somewhere like New Zealand and play there. One of my memories from those Games was that the greens were absolutely flying. They were running at 22 seconds so that was an experience that I had never had before. The bowls we played with for these Games were slightly different, having a flatter crown to cope better with the New Zealand greens. This was a successful Games for me, picking up my first Commonwealth medal, coming third and gaining a bronze.

Then I went to the 1978 Games in Edmonton, Canada, where I was picked to play in the pairs. Again, this was a successful Games and I picked up my second medal, stepping up to a silver.

The 1982 Games were next, and these took place in Brisbane, Australia. I was back playing in the singles and, to be honest, this was the big one for me. On this occasion, I stepped up again and came home with the gold. The experience of not only winning the gold, but the experience when I came home was something else. I came back to the airport to be met by a welcome party and the BBC had put on a Rolls Royce which drove me back to Gifford. The main street was decorated with flags and lined with people. The school had been given permission to come out to welcome me home. It was really quite a sight. I have some very fond memories of this day as I was walked down the main street in the village to our local bowling club where we had a party and a celebration. This was probably the main highlight amongst many highlights of my Commonwealth bowls career.

In 1990, I went back to New Zealand, this time in Auckland, and I am delighted to say that once again I came back with the gold.

The next Games in 1994 were in Victoria, Canada, where I represented Scotland in the fours. Unfortunately, there was no medal this time. I was again picked to represent Scotland at the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, back to the singles.

Onto 2002, where it was pretty much a home Games taking place in Manchester and this time I was back in the fours. My final Games were in 2010, where I had the chance to play in the triples in Delhi, India.

I think it would be most bowlers’ ambition to play for their country. It is probably the main aim for many, many bowlers and I was first picked to play for Scotland in 1966. That was my first appearance in the international team. That was an ambition achieved and it was amazing to think that after that I went on to play in eight Commonwealth Games in total, the first one being, as I said, in 1974 and continuing on to 2010.

Playing for your country in the Commonwealth Games team is a great honour and it is so different to everything else. It is where all the sports come together, you all live in the Commonwealth village together and there is great camaraderie, joining together, gaining new achievements and medals for your country. I feel very blessed to have had these opportunities.”