Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) has today announced the Athlete Advisory Group (AAG) through to Victoria 2026, with their input on behalf of all athletes critical to our operations and the success of the green and gold in under three years’ time.
Boasting a membership of 12, including nine of which have been nominated by their Commonwealth Games sport, the AAG brings together team members from individual and team sports, as well as para-sport disciplines, to ensure the Group is representative of an Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
The AAG is composed of the following athletes:
| Paige Hadley (Netball) | Karen Murphy AM (Bowls) |
| Greg Hire (3×3 Basketball) | Anabelle Smith (Diving) |
| Shayna Jack (Swimming) | Nathan Tang (Badminton) |
| Nina Kennedy (Athletics) | Brandon Wakeling (Weightlifting) |
| Tahlia McGrath (Cricket) | Aran Zalewski (Hockey) |
| Chris McHugh (Beach Volleyball) | Matthew Levy OAM (CGF AAC) |
The membership has a wealth of experience, with each having competed at the Commonwealth Games alongside other high performance competition environments for their respective sports.
Paige Hadley is among those appointed, with the Birmingham 2022 gold medallist looking forward to helping CGA create a memorable experience and successful high performance environment for the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
“I’m excited to be surrounded by so many driven and passionate people who all have the common goal to help Australian athletes compete and perform on the world’s best stage in their pursuit to achieve their ultimate sporting goals,” Hadley said.
Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chris McHugh also shared his excitement, viewing it as a way of giving back to a Commonwealth Games movement that has given me the platform for some of my most cherished memories.
“Helping CGA create a great Games at Victoria 2026 for the Australian team while initiating a long-lasting legacy for sport through to 2032 and beyond is my way of giving back,” McHugh said.
“The Commonwealth Games are an amazing platform for young, up and coming athletes to experience a multi-sport event and is a breeding ground for future champions.”
The AAG will work closely with CGA to provide input and feedback to assist Games planning for the Australian team, alumni engagement and CGA’s role in supporting athletes.
Creating a stronger connection between athletes and CGA, the group will provide valuable insight in assisting CGA to achieve its goals of connecting with communities and pursuing sporting excellence.
“Having a voice as an athlete in an organisation like CGA is essential to a successful and memorable Games in 2026. I, and other athletes involved, can act as a connection between the Board and organisation and athletes in terms of what they want to see and feel at the Games,” Shayna Jack, two-time Commonwealth Games representative and AAG member, said.
“As it is a home Games, it is crucial that the athletes involved feel safe, supported and uplifted to make it one for the ages.”
The AAG will act as the lead group responsible for enhancing athlete experience and the high performance environment offered by CGA for the Australian team at Victoria 2026.
They will work with CGA across the remainder of the quadrennium to ensure there are opportunities for alumni to connect with the Games and assist in establishing initiatives that make this home Games a memorable affair for the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
