Lucy Beere MBE has pulled out of the selection process for this year’s Commonwealth Games, citing a difficult month spent coming to terms with the decision.
In a personal statement, Beere explained that her decision followed a prolonged and complex eligibility process.
While her eligibility has been confirmed, she said the lack of clarity during the process took a significant personal toll.
Beere also highlighted certain personal arrangements that had been made during previous Games, but were not being supported at this year’s Glasgow 2026 Games which run from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August.
Beere said the combination of these factors has left her feeling isolated and impacted her mental and physical well-being, making it impossible to continue in a healthy environment.
You can read her statement in full below.
Beere’s international career with Guernsey can be defined easily as iconic. She is one of the island’s most successful sportswomen.
She has won 18 medals, 256 international caps, and 33 national titles, as well as 16 Channel Islands titles.
She was made a Member of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours List in 2023, for her service to Bowls.
Her decision to withdraw from this year’s Games is not the first time that Beere has spoken out about the hurdles facing local competitors though.
In 2023 she needed to set up a JustGiving campaign to help fund her chance of defending her World Bowls title in Queensland, Australia.
Beere’s ongoing dedication to her sport is expressed in her withdrawal statement, however.
She said she wishes Team Guernsey success, and expressed her hope that her experience might lead to more transparent and consistent processes for other athletes in future cycles.
