Athletes from across the North East Region delivered a series of outstanding performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning medals, reaching championship finals and demonstrating the strength and depth of talent being developed throughout the region.
Leading the regional success story was Leah Schlosshan, who enjoyed a breakthrough senior championship for Team England. The Leeds swimmer claimed two silver medals, helping England to podium finishes in both the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay and Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay. She also reached the finals of the Women’s 100m and 200m Freestyle, placing seventh and sixth respectively against a strong Commonwealth field.
Reflecting on her Games experience, Schlosshan said:
“I’ve loved the experience and tried to embrace the atmosphere. I think we’ve got a really good group and hopefully we’ll continue to develop together.”
Another standout performer was Gabe Shepherd, who made an impressive Commonwealth Games debut. The Harrogate swimmer, who trains with City of Leeds Swimming Club, secured his first senior international medal as part of England’s silver medal-winning Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay team. At just 18 years old, Shepherd demonstrated why he is regarded as one of British swimming’s most exciting young prospects.
The Games also provided a memorable family story through sisters Leah and Ciara Schlosshan, both developed through the Leeds swimming pathway but representing different nations. Competing for Team Scotland, Ciara Schlosshan delivered an excellent championship, winning silver in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay and producing two outstanding individual performances. She finished fourth in the Women’s 200m Butterfly and fifth in the Women’s 100m Butterfly, recording a personal best time of 57.58 seconds in the latter event.
Emma Wood, also from City of Leeds, made her senior debut at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games! Representing Team Scotland on home soil, Emma delivered a series of world-class performances, capturing a silver medal in the Women’s 4×100m Medley Relay and a bronze medal in the Mixed 4×100m Medley Relay. She also showcased her blistering individual speed by smashing her own personal best and club record in the Women’s 50m Freestyle semi-finals with a phenomenal time of 25.45 seconds, finishing 9th overall in the Commonwealth. To cap off an unforgettable games, Emma helped the Scottish Women’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay team secure a 4th-place finish while obliterating the Scottish national record with a blistering 54.84-second split.
North East swimmer Emily Richards, who began her swimming journey with Ponteland Swimming Club, also impressed in Glasgow. Representing Team England, Richards reached the Women’s 200m Butterfly final and finished fifth overall after producing one of the biggest improvements of the evening session.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle Idle-Beavers continued her rise on the senior international stage. The Barnsley swimmer reached the Women’s 50m Breaststroke final, finishing seventh, and also progressed to the semi-finals of the Women’s 100m Breaststroke during her Commonwealth Games debut.
In para swimming, Evie Lambert represented the region with distinction, securing a top-six finish in the Women’s S9 100m Freestyle final against some of the Commonwealth’s leading para swimmers.
Collectively, North East Region athletes returned from Glasgow with four Commonwealth Games silver medals, alongside multiple finals appearances and personal best performances. Their achievements reflect the dedication of the athletes, coaches, clubs and volunteers across the region and provide further evidence of the continued success of the North East Region’s performance pathway on the international stage.
