Commonwealth Games are so special, being in the village reminds you how fortunate you are

BEING at the Commonwealth Games is a privilege and one every athlete and official has a duty of care to respect. The world is watching. Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander gives us exclusive insight into live in the village.

GG2018 XXI COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Australia vs Northern Ireland. April 5, 2018. Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, QLD, Australia. Photo: Narelle Spangher, Netball Australia

AFTER years of preparation, the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games are finally underway.

Village life is like nothing else. You have to understand you are in a village that’s full of all competing nations, let alone our own Australian team.

You’re always on show. You have to be mindful of that, you are an Australian Commonwealth Games athlete, coach or official 24x7 and that’s a big responsibility to ensure that you represent your sport well and are welcoming to all the other countries too.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time over these first few days talking to coaches from all the other countries, you get used to having your opposition around. I’ve spoken to Vicki Wilson, a former Australian legendary athlete and coach who is with Fiji now.

I ran into the Silver Fern’s assistant coach Yvette McCausland-Durie literally on her run in the morning. In the dining hall I’ve bumped into Norma Plummer and Nicole Cusack and had a chat.

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All of these encounters are the incidentals of having 71 countries living in the same space. It’s a small snapshot of the complexities of human relationships, when you have so many people together, let alone organising all of that.

Australians do these sports events very well and I am really proud of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia. The way they’ve set things up in the village, it’s everything we could have hoped for and more.

I write this sitting in a beach chair under an umbrella, that’s all designed for relaxation. There are beautiful green spaces which is important for any new buildings built in Australia.

In our case, it’s not just environmentally important, but provides mental recovery from high performance sport. Important to have nature and natural botanical settings that helps you feel good.

Being around the village just makes you feel very special and grateful at the same time, for the generosity of people, that’s what this Games is all about. It’s not just about high performance sport, and we’ve had some world records already which is great, but it’s also high performance diplomacy in my opinion.

Lisa Alexander takes the oath beside Australia's flagbearer Mark Knowles

It’s getting all the countries together, there’s a special bond in the Commonwealth. It’s one of those things that I think makes this Games so special, and probably other countries are looking at it thinking we might to have something like that. It’s different to the Olympics and it has a friendly atmosphere which makes it so distinct.

Reflecting on the Opening Ceremony – what an absolute honour to be named a Coach Oath Reader. I only met our flag bearer Mark Knowles properly just before we went out to march. I had known him briefly at Glasgow, because the Kookaburras and the Diamonds celebrated their gold medal victories together, as we both finished at the same time. He was a truly deserving flag bearer and a wonderful ambassador for all Australians.

Inside the athlete’s village

I have immediately formed a special bond with lawn bowler Karen Murphy, who read the Athletes’ Oath at the Opening Ceremony. We are calling each other our ‘oath mate for life.’ Kaz and I have a lot in common and a great passion for representing our country.

The whole night was made more special by Karen and Knowlsy, and also Desmond Johnston (who read the oath on behalf of technical officials), who is the loveliest person imaginable. The four of us really enjoyed the moment and made sure we could appreciate it, but also undertook the responsibility we had of delivering the oath in a way that was solemn, but friendly, and also with great seriousness around the commitment we had made on behalf of the coaches, athletes and officials.

The Diamonds are favourite for gold

Team Australia truly is #GreaterTogether, and I can’t wait to witness more success over the coming days, as our athletes, coaches and officials give it their all.

I have been delighted to watch all 12 of our Diamonds thrive in this environment and commit to every moment, representing our country with pride. Our next

challenge is against South Africa, who we face on Sunday evening. They’ll be a critical opponent in our journey in this tournament and we expect a strong contest.

Thank you for your support, as we wear our green and gold with pride. Go Aussies!

Originally published as Commonwealth Games are so special, being in the village reminds you how fortunate you are