It’s been fun to read media articles summing up how the competition and event has unfolded. Whilst inevitably there are some grumbles and challenges, the overwhelming sense is not just positive but celebratory. 

Sure, it’s not the pinnacle of world sport but it never sets out to be - part of the joy of the Commonwealth Games is stumbling (as I did) on a women’s doubles badminton match between Ghana and the Falkland Islands. Where else?

There was much high-quality competition of course including some serious swims in the pool, times on the track, races on the road and goals on the netball court. 

And some brilliant innovation that will surely point the way to future Games. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness live the four 3x3 basketball finals knows this is a spectator sport that is here to stay.

There was much to applaud too in the level of inclusiveness of the Games too - not least the important fact of more medal events for women than men and the largest ever level of Para sport integrated into the programme. 

Although forgive my churlishness but I still think there is some way to go on this to be truly inclusive. The Para events are still only a fraction of the overall event, and those chosen are often the "spectator friendly" classes within the sport.

Team England had one of its largest and certainly most diverse teams ever which is to be celebrated every bit as much as its record medal haul. Winning medals in 23 of the 26 competed sports is also a fantastic recognition of the breadth of talent coming through. 

Sport England looked further to the future by funding the "Team England Futures" programme, run expertly by the charity SportsAid. 

This allowed nearly 1,000 future hopefuls from across Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports to come to Birmingham and immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere and environment of a multi-sport games - an experience that we are sure will stand them in very good stead for the future.

Add to all this the superb levels of ticket sales and how that manifested itself frequently in packed stadia, the TV and media coverage of the Games and most of all the way the city of Birmingham itself came sparklingly to life and embraced every aspect of the fortnight and it truly does make this a Games to remember.

But for many, including my organisation, it is just the start. If we are to guarantee a lasting impact from Birmingham 2022, we need to make sure that those previously least well served by sport, and those finding it hardest to be active in their everyday lives, feel the benefit.

This was crucial for me in mapping out how Sport England would set "legacy" for Birmingham 2022. The Games needed to have impact with the people of Perry Barr, not just those fortunate to be able to attend the Alexander Stadium over the road.

And any legacy investment must have at its heart a desire to "meet people where they are at" in communities. The days of "build it and they will come" have been disproved with sporting events and facilities.

Unless an activity or sport makes sense to people in their everyday lives, and feels welcoming and inclusive and accessible, then no end of national programme investment is going to move the dial.

That is why, while we did work through many of the Commonwealth sports to promote opportunities at national level, and also ran a very successful national engagement programme for schools through the School Games Organiser network - which resulted in 140,000 more kids playing sport - many of them representing their schools for the very first time - the majority of our investment into activation was local to the West Midlands.

We have invested nearly £35 million ($43 million/€41.3 million) of Government and National Lottery funding into programmes and facilities that will benefit local communities. The Sandwell Aquatics Centre was a world class venue for the Games - but it was built with its future use in mind and on the back of close consultation with the local community.

Similarly, we joined forces with Birmingham City Council and Basketball England to provide for up to 20 new 3x3 basketball courts to be built across the city in areas where there are the highest levels of deprivation.

We also invested over £3 million ($3.6 million/€3.5 million) in an innovative programme to create capacity and expertise to help connect local people to sport and activity in their area. 

Called "Commonwealth Active Communities" it has been rolled out across Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the West Midlands and already been instrumental in helping people from culturally diverse communities feel engaged and able to participate.

There is much work now to be done and that’s why I dislike the word legacy so much - it suggests something left behind, whereas the reality is it is what happens next that matters.

I feel confident that as the eyes of the sporting world turn from Birmingham, there will be more than happy memories left behind. Rather, there will be tangible proof that a Games can inspire participation and activity, and, especially within the region of the West Midlands, there will evidence of communities engaging in sport more than ever, and as a result living healthier, happier lives.