The World Cup may still be in full swing across the pond, but we’re fast-forwarding a few weeks. We’re smashing through Wimbledon in London, and shooting past the World Cup final in New Jersey, to land at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where Allied has real cause to celebrate.
Not only is Allied Mobility the Games’ official accessibility partner, but our very own Stuart Sloan has been selected to represent Scotland in the para-bowls.
We spoke with Stuart last year after he was selected to represent Scotland at the 2025 Para Home Nations bowls tournament. That marked Stuart’s international debut, where the Scotland team were victorious, and he told us he was hoping to be selected for this year’s games.
We decided to catch up with him again, one year later, to find out how he’s feeling now that it has happened.
“It was a Monday afternoon, so I was at work,” he recalls. “It was emotional, but I had to keep it all in. We weren’t allowed to say anything for a couple of weeks, which was difficult.”
Stuart didn’t keep the news entirely to himself, though. His wife was among the first to know, and sworn to secrecy, while a quiet word with work was unavoidable.
“Jen Miller was actually there when I found out, and obviously I needed to let work know as soon as possible so that I could arrange time off around the games.
“We had to go into one of the wee rooms so I could let her know,” he says. “I might have shed a wee excited, happy tear at that point as well, so it was good that I was out of sight, otherwise folk would’ve been wondering what was wrong.”
As a 35-year bowls veteran, selection for the Commonwealth team ranks alongside the proudest moments of his career.
“Winning the Home Nations was a great experience, but this is the pinnacle,” he says. “It’s what everybody that plays the game competitively is aiming for, and I’ve been lucky enough to get there.”
Training for the tournament is well-and-truly underway, with Stuart and the rest of the team getting as much competitive game time as possible. As well as allowing some pre-Commonwealth practice, this has allowed them a look at the standard of competition they’ll be facing in Glasgow in July.
Ever the sportsman, Stuart is quick to acknowledge the level of talent he’s seen in his opponents.
“We’ve just come back from the England test match,” says Stuart. “Keiran and Joe, who we were playing against, played really well the whole weekend so we’ve got to try and match them now.”
“Keiran was particularly strong over the weekend,” he says, “He beat me in Cambridge recently as well, so I need to work that out and keep trying to improve.”
It’s not just our neighbours across the border that Stuart and his teammates are keeping an eye on. The host nation will also be facing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Wales.
“Australia, England, and Singapore are the three that I know of and they’re all high standard,” says Stuart. “I don’t know much yet about South Africa, New Zealand, and the rest, so it’s hard for me to say, but right now England, Australia and Scotland would probably be in the favourites group.”
The team’s preparations are about more than just racking up green time and studying their opponents. There are factors to consider like a changed play surface and, of course, the added pressure of such a high-profile event.
Commenting on the transition from outdoor to indoor play, Stuart says, “Most players in Scotland play outdoor bowls. Outdoors, your conditions vary; it can be heavier on the green, and you’re pushing more. Indoors, it’s about consistency. You need to get yourself in the zone, into the right mindset to get that repetition.”
To that end, the Scotland squad is working with experienced coaches, and even a sports psychologist, to help them with both their technique and their state of mind.
“We’re doing lots of things we wouldn’t normally do, lots of wee drills with some very experienced members of the team,” says Stuart.
“We also have a sports psychologist working with us, which is interesting. They’re helping us with our mindset, which helps with the consistency, but there’s also a bit of pressure on us which they help with.”
“For one, we’re representing Scotland on our home turf, so that’s quite a responsibility,” he says, “and, of course, you’re expected to medal. So, they’re helping us through that.”
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games will also carry added significance for Stuart through his 18-year career with Allied and our accessibility partnership with the Games.
With venues across the city supported by improved transport and mobility solutions, Stuart believes the impact will be felt by athletes and spectators alike.
“It’ll be strange seeing the branding everywhere,” he says. “But it’s a great thing. It’s going to make the Games easier for so many people.”
Having spent almost two decades with the company, he admits there is a deep sense of pride. “It’s important work,” he says. “These are inclusive Games, and anything that helps people compete and enjoy them more is a great thing to be part of.”
Looking beyond Glasgow 2026, Stuart already has one eye on the next challenge – the 2027 World Championships in Leamington Spa.
“It would be fantastic to be part of that,” he says, “but all my focus is on the Commonwealth Games just now and doing the best I can there. We’re up against some brilliant bowlers, and tough competition, but we’re no pushovers ourselves.”
“The standard is very high,” he adds, with a chuckle, “Not higher than expected, but higher than I hoped! I was hoping it would be easier for me!”
