Commonwealth Games cull: How axed sports - cricket, squash, triathlon - reacted to oblivion
Confirmation of how the trimmed-down 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will look has provided clarity to those eyeing Glasgow in less than two years - but dashed the dreams of thousands of athletes. Here’s what they said.
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Confirmation of how the trimmed-down 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will look has provided clarity to those eyeing Glasgow in less than two years.
But the decision to cull entire sports – and dash the dreams of thousands of athletes – has been met with disappointment by Australia’s major sporting organisations.
This is what they said.
Bowls | Cricket | Diving | Hockey | Netball | Rugby | Squash | Triathlon | Volleyball
BOWLS
World Bowls President Darryl Clout said, “We have been working closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for several months and are delighted that the CGF has now confirmed that Bowls will be included on the program.
“We understand that these Games will be different than previous versions in terms of the number of athletes, the format and the facilities where we will play so during our discussions with the CGF we have been very open and flexible around how Bowls could be staged and showcased at this event.
“This decision is a great outcome for our Commonwealth member countries and their athletes and maintains the long association our sport has had with the Games.
“The Commonwealth Games is seen as a pinnacle event for our sport and for many leads to significant government funding to support their preparations. Participation as well as winning medals at the Games are also career highlights and lifelong memories for our athletes and officials.
“The inclusion of the Para disciplines is also an important addition and will continue to highlight the sport’s unique nature with both able and para bowlers competing on the same green.
“World Bowls now looks forward to working with the CGF and the host organising committee on the specific details of the Bowls competition.” Mr Clout said.
CRICKET AUSTRALIA
“We are disappointed that the Australian women’s team will not be able to defend their Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow.
However, we understand the circumstances that have led to cricket’s removal from the 2026 Commonwealth Games schedule and remain enormously excited by its inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and, we hope, Brisbane 2032.”
DIVING AUSTRALIA
“Diving Australia (DA) is disappointed to learn that Diving will not be part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games programme in Glasgow.
DA CEO, Alex Newton, said “naturally we are disappointed that diving won’t feature as part of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games given our proud history and strong track record of success.
“Diving has been a feature sport at every edition since the first Commonwealth Games in 1930 which makes today’s announcement even more regrettable.
“Even though diving won’t be part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which has been forced to reduce their program to just 10 sports given the short lead in time, we will be working with Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and World Aquatics (Aqua) to ensure we can return in 2030.
“We will also be working collectively with CGA as a member sport to make sure that we remain a part of the Commonwealth Games planning for the future.
“With the 2025 World Aquatics Championships on the horizon and the LA 2028 Olympic Games cycle already underway, we remain optimistic about the opportunities for our athletes to represent their country on the global stage,” she said.”
HOCKEY AUSTRALIA
“Australia will be without two key medal hopes at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, after the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today announced a heavily reduced 10-sport format which will exclude hockey, among many others.
The announcement revealed a revised format from CGF and Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), which recovered the Games with less than two years until the Opening Ceremony after the Victorian Government withdrew late as hosts in August last year.
In the month since the Scotland Government announced its commitment to the event in September, Hockey Australia joined England Hockey, Scottish Hockey, Hockey Wales, Hockey India and Hockey New Zealand with a co-signed letter to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) encouraging them to lobby CGF for hockey’s inclusion.
Despite their efforts and following good collaboration between the two sporting bodies, hockey will be one of 11 sports that will not feature.
This will be a first for the sport in 26 years, with CGF opting for sports that require indoor venues.
“It is a disappointing announcement, not just for hockey but for all of the sports who have missed out in the reduced format,” Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles said.
“There was always a lot of pressure on the Commonwealth Games Federation with less than two years to go until the Games in Glasgow and I know I join all our Commonwealth compatriots in saying we hope this is a temporary adjustment to the Games schedule.
“We have a strong relationship with Commonwealth Games Australia, and we look forward to working with them and know they will do a fantastic job in advocating for a full-strength Games in future, which includes hockey.
“In the short term, I will certainly miss seeing the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos on the podium. The images of our teams in green and gold singing the national anthem with their medals at every single Games since hockey’s inception in 1998 remains a proud part of Australian sporting history and our history at Hockey Australia.”
NETBALL AUSTRALIA
CEO Stacey West: “Netball Australia and the Origin Australian Diamonds are thrilled that the Commonwealth Games Federation has included netball in the program of events for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“The top netball nations are all Commonwealth countries, and this decision shows the depth and strength of our sport.
“With four gold medals since 1998, Australia is the most successful netball nation at the Commonwealth Games, and the Games are such a special event for all netball-lovers. Our Origin Australian Diamonds will be ready to defend their title.
“With more than one million participants, netball continues to be one of the most popular sports in Australia, so we are proud to see this reflected in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“This also presents an important opportunity for netball to continue to build its global profile in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup in Sydney.”
RUGBY AUSTRALIA
“Rugby Australia joins World Rugby and other member unions in expressing disappointment in the decision to omit rugby sevens from the scaled down 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“Since it was incorporated into the Commonwealth Games, Rugby Sevens has been one of the event’s most popular and engaging formats.
“The Australian Women’s Sevens team had hoped to defend the Commonwealth Games gold medal won before a packed stadium in Birmingham two years ago and the Men’s side, having just achieved their best result at an Olympics in Paris this year, were similarly confident of a strong showing in Glasgow.
“The Australian Women’s and Men’s sevens teams are looking forward to the 2024/2025 HSBC SVNS Series and success in future Olympic and Commonwealth Games programs.”
SQUASH AUSTRALIA
“Squash Australia is disappointed with today’s announcement that squash has been omitted from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
The news is a blow to the sport which had been a fixture on the Commonwealth Games program since 1998.
While athletes were originally looking forward to competing at a home Games before Victoria withdrew as hosts last year, they remained hopeful of still having the opportunity to compete in 2026 once Glasgow was announced as the new host city.
With limited preparation time and the need to keep operating costs low, the program in Glasgow was reduced to just 10 sports, however with Scotstoun Sports Complex housing an existing venue that successfully hosted the sport in 2014, squash remained hopeful of inclusion in 2026.
Robert Donaghue, Squash Australia CEO, said the news was heartbreaking to players who had their sights set on wearing the green and gold in two years’ time.
“Today’s announcement is a blow to the players who have had their dream of competing in the Commonwealth Games taken away from them,” he said.
“With Rachael Grinham carrying the flag into the opening ceremony in 2022 and Australia contributing 11 gold and 33 total medals since 1998, Australia has achieved great success in a sport which has been part of the fabric of the Commonwealth Games for a quarter of a century.
“While our sport’s inclusion in the program for the LA 2028 Olympic Games provides an unrivalled incentive for our leading players, the Commonwealth Games has been the pinnacle for our players for the last three decades.
“With such a short preparation time before Glasgow and with costs needing to be kept tight to stage the event at all, we fully understand the reason for having such a drastically reduced sports program in 2026. However, with a 2014 legacy venue capable of hosting the competition once again, the squash community remained hopeful of being a part of the Games until today’s news arrived.
“We wish the best of luck to the 10 sports who we know will represent Australia with pride at Glasgow 2026 and look forward to joining them again in 2030.”
“In the meantime, Squash Australia will work with WSF and the international Squash community to investigate options to supplement another international tournament in 2026.”
AUS TRIATHLON
AusTriathlon is disappointed to learn that Triathlon will not be included on the sport program for 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Commonwealth Games is a pinnacle event on our international calendar, and one where our Australian athletes have enjoyed success, since our sport was first included in 2002.
We’ll be working collaboratively with Commonwealth Games Australia to make sure that we remain a part of the Commonwealth Games family, while we work towards other international events on the horizon.
Fortunately World Triathlon has a robust international calendar, including World Cup and World Championships events.
We’re looking forward to welcoming the world’s best down under for the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong from 15th – 19th October 2025.”
VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA
Volleyball Australia can confirm beach volleyball has been ruled out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games program in Glasgow.
Naturally this is disappointing news for our athletes, including our developing teams, with the Commonwealth Games a marquee tournament on our international calendar.
Volleyball Australia was excited about the prospect of Australia hosting another home Commonwealth Games in 2026 as it would have provided excellent opportunities for athletes, fans and volunteers.
But with the Andrews Government sensationally withdrawing its support for Victoria to host the Games, today’s announcement is yet another blow for our sport as well as many Commonwealth Games sports.
With Glasgow City Council short lead in time to deliver a Games in 2026 has meant the program was forced to be cut to just 10 sports, almost half the program.
Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee said: “We are deeply disappointed with the news that beach volleyball won’t feature as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games program in Glasgow.
“We appreciate that the program needed to be reduced to cater for the short lead in time the Glasgow City Council will have to deliver the Commonwealth Games, after the event was in jeopardy due to the Andrews’ Government withdrawing its support for Victoria to host.
“Volleyball Australia remains committed to working with Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) to remain a member sport and to make a return to the 2030 Commonwealth Games. We wish all the Australian sports contesting the 2026 Commonwealth Games the very best of luck.
“Right now, our focus is on preparing to host the 2025 World Beach Volleyball Championships in Adelaide from 14-23 November 2025. 96 teams from approximately 50 nations will be taking part, making it the largest and most exciting beach volleyball event on the international calendar, bigger than the Paris Olympic tournament under the Eiffel Tower. It will be our opportunity to showcase Australia as a world-class host,” he said.
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