Post by Wallis Social Research

As we look forward to this month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, we're back with another instalment of #SocialInsights and today we're lucky to be joined by former Commonwealth Games Athlete for Team Scotland, Adam Hall. Adam is a former professional Badminton player who has competed at two previous Commonwealth Games, and was a silver medallist in the men's doubles at the 2022 European championships. Now retired, Adam is setting his sights on his next projects: Ambassador for charities SOLIBAD - Badminton Without Borders and It's a Penalty, as well as Athlete Engagement Coordinator at the Glasgow games (all while chasing an elusive swan...!) 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬? I wish that non athletes knew how special the community is that we have built in the Commonwealth. It's known as the friendly games for a reason, we have 72 diverse nations and territories from across the globe that all come together to showcase not only sport at the highest level, but also their cultures and stories. We are the only major multi-sport games that has a fully integrated para sport programme, which has provided so many amazing role models for the next generation of para athletes. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮:  Solibad does amazing work across the globe, it is a genuine pleasure of mine to play such a small part in spreading the joy of sport to kids who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. Whilst badminton provides a sort of escape from the conditions they are living in, it also provides opportunities to go to school or to be given the chance follow their passion. It's been amazing to see kids that I met years ago go on to bigger and better things. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲:  I think I've learned a lot about myself in the last year since I retired from sport. I think the main lesson I've taken is to recognise when something you are doing isn't fulfilling you anymore and not to be scared to make a change. Or that no matter how prepared you think you are for something, there is always a curveball waiting to be thrown, so you may need to be willing to roll with the punches until you find your feet again.   𝐀𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐰:  Coffee has been a real passion for the last year, and I am currently chasing the perfect latte art swan! It's also been really fun trying some new sports and starting from scratch again. I will conquer Padel one day! A massive thanks to Adam for taking part, and all the best for the upcoming Games!