Catch up on all the happenings in Commonwealth Sport as we approach the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

PAIN IN SPAIN FOR AUSSIE WOMEN’S 7s

Australian women’s rugby 7s side claim bronze in Malaga after 15 successive match wins and two tournament triumphs in the world series. The team, who’d been so dominant with back-to-back triumphs in Dubai at the end of last year, had their unbeaten run sensationally ended in Sunday’s semi-final of the Spain 7s.

 

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In the equivalent men’s event, Australia could only finish fourth, after losing in the semi-final to South Africa’s all-conquering Blitzboks and in the bronze medal match to England.

DIAMONDS SURGE TO QUAD SERIES NETBALL TITLE

The Diamonds have successfully defended their Quad Series netball title, turning the tables on England in the final thanks to a devastating last quarter to win 58-46.

Australia coughed up a six-goal lead to draw with the Roses a day earlier, while they gave up a late four-goal advantage in a monumental Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold-medal match upset loss to them.

YES! SING IT @AussieDiamonds!! The side has won the #QuadSeries this morning with a hard-fought victory over the England Roses!

👏👏🇦🇺💎💚💛🏆 https://t.co/PBlWR5RZxL

— Commonwealth Games Australia (@CommGamesAUS) January 19, 2022

But in London on Thursday (AEDT) it was the Roses who wilted in a 18-5 final quarter, Australia making a statement in their last Test before July’s Commonwealth Games in nearby Birmingham.

UNBEATEN BANGLADESH AND SRI LANKA TO FACE OFF FOR LAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES CRICKET BERTH

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are set for a winner-takes-all showdown to decide the final cricket berth at this year’s Commonwealth Games. 

The two nations will face-off to be the eighth nation to compete for the inaugural Commonwealth Games Women’s T20 Cricket gold medal.

Hosts England, world champions Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Barbados and New Zealand are already assured of places at Birmingham 2022, where the women’s 20-over tournament will represent cricket’s second Commonwealth Games appearance and first since 1998.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES CHAMPIONS CALL TIME ON THEIR CAREERS

Two-time Commonwealth Games medallists Emily Chalker (nee Smith) and Edwina Bone called time on their illustrious career last week.

Both Hockeyroos stars helped Australia to the gold medal at the Glasgow 2014 Games and silver at the Gold Coast 2018 Games.

We wish Emily and Edwina all the best in the next stage of their lives.

 

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EWAN TARGETS HOME WORLD ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH EYES ON BIRMINGHAM

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games alumni Caleb Ewan could put his hand up for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games selection, following a focus on the home world road championships in Wollongong.

Ewan feels he is gaining strength on the climbs and that means he can still be a big threat in Wollongong.

“I will prove them wrong anyway and I will try to win anyway,” he said.

“But it’s not too hard – I can definitely do it – but it’s not going to be as straightforward as if it was a bit a bit easier.

“I’m up for the challenge and if there’s a sprinter who can do it, I think it’s me.

“I have (more) motivation than anyone else, so I wil be ready. And hopefully win.”

Ewan revealed he might also make himself available for the August 7 Commonwealth Games race in Birmingham, where again he would be a major drawcard.

WOMEN SPORT STARS SEIZE OPPORTUNITY FOR FUTURE LEADERSHIP

Now in its second year, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Accelerate program for 2022 will include Commonwealth Games medallists Anna Meares OAM, Dani Stevens, Caitlin Bassett and Eliza Stankovic-Mowle AM (nee Ault-Connell) amongst the 22 elite Australian sportswomen.

AIS Accelerate is designed to increase the number and visibility of women in sport leadership positions by providing career coaching and leadership development for high performance women athletes.

It is part of a suite of women in sport programs being delivered by the AIS and Sport Australia as part of the Women Leaders in Sport program, supported by $3.4m in funding over four years from the Office for Women.