Australians aim big, but thinking extra smalls at rescued Games
Australian athletes are getting some unexpected packing advice after Glasgow’s last-minute rescue of the Commonwealth Games sees the traditional village disappear.
Australians are being urged to fiercely compete like warriors at the Commonwealth Games, rather than go commando.
With Glasgow being run on a smaller scale after it was rescued after Victoria cancelled the event at short notice, there is no athlete village and its daily laundry service.
So Australian team members have been advised to pack extra clothing, especially underwear – just in case.
The Australian HQ at the Glasgow Argyle Hotel will run a laundry service, but on a reduced frequency.
“AUS HQ delivers services aplenty for the Australian Team, with laundry being one,” team chef de mission Petria Thomas told AAP.
“In a Games village this is often a daily service, but here it will be every three days, so we’ve encouraged athletes to bring spare smalls … just in case.
“No one wants to be caught going commando!”
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Glasgow rescued the 2026 Games at short notice after Victoria cancelled, meaning the opening ceremony on Friday morning (AEST) will launch a streamlined event with fewer bells and whistles.
There will be only 10 sports and no open-road events such as the marathon or cycling – as well as no athlete village.
But the stakes remain incredibly high, especially for the Diamonds at what is a pinnacle event.
The national netball side arrived in Glasgow on Monday by train from an Edinburgh training camp to defend their Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Australia’s campaign starts on Saturday against Tonga and the day after they play England, their semi-final opponents four years ago in Birmingham.
“It’s probably more unusual than what I’ve experienced in my previous Commonwealth Games, but I feel like it’s a really exciting challenge for us,” said Diamonds veteran Jo Weston, who will compete at her third Games.
“The game against Tonga is also going to be quite challenging.”
The Melbourne Vixens star was asked on arrival in Glasgow about whether she felt a responsibility to help reinvigorate the Games, given the event’s dire state after Victoria pulled out.
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“Netball is so lucky to be part of a multi-discipline event. Being part of a wider ‘Team Australia’ is something that’s really special,” said Weston.
“We’re happy to play anywhere, we’re here to do our country proud and make sure we get a result that we’re really happy with.
“The situation (transferring the Games to Glasgow) is what it is – we’re just happy to be part of a competition and we were always willing to play wherever the competition was on.
“Now we’re here, the Scottish people have been so welcoming.
The Diamonds will compete in Glasgow while negotiations continue at home over a new pay deal.
Weston, one of three Diamonds at her third Games, is confident it will not be a distraction.
“All of us are really good at compartmentalising. We’re in a high-performance environment and we’re here to represent the Diamonds and Australia,” she said.
“For us, the focus really is on the performance.”
Sophie Dwyer is one of five Games debutants in the Diamonds’ Glasgow squad.
“It’s amazing we have people like Joey, Court (Courtney Bruce) and Liz (captain Liz Watson) who have been to multiple Comm Games,” Dwyer said.
“Obviously there is a little bit of an unknown. I’ve been around the Diamonds squad for a while, been to a lot of Test series, but nothing like a marquee event.
“I take as many learnings as I can from them, ask lots of questions.”
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