Introduction

This afternoon I attended the England vs Northern Ireland Netball match at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Video clip of game in process

https://youtu.be/0FJc0kdRylA?si=84sCf93mxvE9wCzz

One of Games venues: The ‘Armadillo’.

Information on the Sport of Netball

Netball is a ball sport played on a rectangular court by two teams of seven players. The primary objective is to shoot a ball through the defender’s goal ring while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own. It is one of a few sports created exclusively for women and girls. The game remains primarily played by females. Venues comprise indoor and outdoor courts. Schools and the Commonwealth of Nations are the key participants. The sport is played by more than 20 million people in more than 80 countries. World Netball comprises more than 70 national teams organised into five global regions. There are major domestic leagues in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Northern Ireland team in a huddle

Information on the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event. Thist brings together athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations, This is a political association comprising the majority of former territories of the British Empire. The games were first held as the British Empire Games in 1930. The event has since evolved through several name changes.The changes reflect the changing geopolitical landscape and gradual decolonisation of the Empire. 

England team in a huddle

Participating Members in the Commonwealth Games

There are 56 members of the Commonwealth of Nations. However, there are 74 teams which currently participate in the Commonwealth Games as a number of dependent territories compete under their own flags. The four Home Nations of the United Kingdom also send separate teams.

Game in process

Reason why 2026 Games held in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 2023 the State of Victoria, Australia, withdrew from holding the Games on cost grounds.In 2023, the City of Glasgow then stepped forward with a proposal to host the Games. Glasgow offered a streamlined, sustainable Games leveraging experience acquired from the Glasgow 2014 Games.

Game in process 2

Core Sports

There are 10 core sports spanning 215 medal events, integrated with six specific Para sports.

Outcome of England v Northern Ireland

England won 83-34.

More Information

For more information on Glasgow and sightseeing in Scotland please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4.This book is also available via Kindle.