What Team England means to me: Noah Williams

Noah Williams made his Commonwealth Games debut four years ago and the diver recalls exactly what it meant to represent Team England as he prepares to do the same in Birmingham.

Noah, now 22, competed for Team GB at the Olympic Games last summer and recently returned his first World Championships medal with silver in the 10m synchro alongside Matty Lee. 

Noah Williams made his Commonwealth Games debut four years ago and the diver recalls exactly what it meant to represent Team England as he prepares to do the same in Birmingham. 

“It does mean a lot, I remember when I was younger and if I was asked how much Team England means, I'd just say, ‘oh, it means a lot’ because I know that's what we’re meant to say,” he said. 

“But it genuinely does mean a lot because in 2014, I missed out, not in terms of I was expected to go, I just wasn't good enough to make it. 

“But then in 2018, there were a lot of people who I thought were better than me who I think should have gone, but I was the one who was selected - I was out there. 

“That's when I realised how much it means because I'm not just representing myself and Team England, but I'm also representing the people who didn't make the team. 

“In diving, there are a lot of good people, and there are only so many spots that you can take. 

“At the Commonwealths, you're allowed three individual people and two synchro teams, but there are probably six or seven good people individually and four synchro teams. 

“So, it means a lot because you have to represent those people at home who didn't make it. It’s their dream to represent Team England, as well as yours, especially at a home Games. It really does mean a lot because of that.” 

The Commonwealth Games is widely known as the ‘Friendly Games’ and Noah knows the importance of friendship and respect at the Games from his time in Australia four years ago. 

“I think the value I really learnt last time was respect,” he said. “On the Gold Coast there was a table tennis table in the games room, and we'd all go and just play and other countries would join. 

“Even if I didn't know their name or what they were competing in, we’d play table tennis together and it really was friendly. 

“I thought all events would be like that, but it really is just the Commonwealths where people go and enjoy themselves and mix about, but then still go and compete. 

“So it really is friendly and everyone's respectful. I didn't have anybody who I met who I thought: ‘oh, they were rude or why did they do that? It was a great experience.” 

But aside from learning lessons outside of competition, Noah was also pleased with his performance, and hopes he can go one better in Birmingham in front of home support. 

He added: “The whole competition was great, it was a really fun event and it's one I'm looking forward to a lot, especially with the home crowd. 

“It went really well for me out on the Gold Coast and I'm hoping I can replicate that in Birmingham.” 

Commonwealth Games England has appointed SportsAid to lead on the development, management and operational delivery of Team England Futures at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The programme, supported by Sport England, will reinforce the importance of the Commonwealth Games, particularly one hosted on home soil, as a developmental opportunity within the talent and performance pathway!