Following Europe’s Ryder Cup heroics last weekend, one thing that particularly resonated with me was that such an accomplishment couldn’t have been achieved without the strength of a team coming together.

Against the might of the much fancied pre-tournament favourites, USA, Tommy Fleetwood, Francesco Molinari and colleagues defied expectations as they united in the common cause of bringing the Ryder Cup back to Europe.

And what a job they did, as against the odds Team Europe pulled through and brought the cup home.

The difference was the power of the team. On paper, the USA was stronger, but the strong team ethos running through Team Europe prevailed.

It’s great to see how a team can come together every two years and highlight the importance of teamwork. As Chairman of Commonwealth Games England this is something about which I feel very passionate.

Every four years, CGE brings together a hugely diverse team – young and old, able bodied and para, from a variety of backgrounds – so that they can represent their nation on one of the biggest multi-sport stages in the world.  

We believe this sense of teamwork is the most important thing for Team England’s athletes. At the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games we sent our best prepared and largest team ever to an overseas Games, and how they shone. A real mix of stars continued to show, and new stars emerged.

 It wasn’t just the household names who shone, it was the youngsters and the ‘newbies’, who came away with not only an incredible sporting experience, but a life-changing experience. A team of 600 completely different people, all learning from each other, integrating with other sports and developing as individuals as they came together as a team.

And we can’t wait to do it all again, on home soil, at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.