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The cancellation of Victoria’s 2026 Commonwealth Games and the potential loss of the tournament entirely would be devastating for non-Olympic sports, says netball legend Jill McIntosh.
The hall of famer said she was shocked and disappointed for her former sport when she heard that the Games, which were to be held in March 2026 across five regional centres, had been scrapped by the state government.
The Australian team celebrating their win at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games netball finals. Credit: Steve Christo
“Netball does not have the Olympics. The Commonwealth Games are a big deal. In netball, the majority of countries are part of the commonwealth, so for us, it’s like a world championship,” she said.
McIntosh, who earned her legend status as both a player and later as coach of the national team, competed in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games – the first time netball had been admitted as a sport into the event.
“I think it’s one of the ones that will go down in history,” McIntosh had previously told this masthead, speaking of the final when Australia beat New Zealand 42-39.
McIntosh was so excited by the victory, she made an out-of-character dash onto the court at the final whistle. “We talk about the ’91 final of the world championships, but that one’s up there with the best of them.”
The news of the cancellation came on Tuesday after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the games would cost the state more than double the original estimate.
Asked about the potential for the Commonwealth Games to be scrapped entirely, McIntosh said: “It would be extremely sad for sports that are non-Olympics. We look forward to the Comm Games every four years. They’re our big world events. It would be not an idea situation for netball.”
The netballer also competed in the 2002 Manchester Games, and said being part of a bigger event was a fantastic experience for both herself and the sport.
“[It’s] the camaraderie of being in a bigger sporting event – not just a netball event.”
McIntosh said she hoped another country would make a bid for the event: “But I realise that Victoria picked it up because no one wanted it”.
The announcement of the scrapping was also news to the Australian Institute of Sport, which a spokesperson said did not know the state government was terminating the contract ahead of the announcement.
Alongside the federal government, the AIS had committed more than $17 million to help prepare bowls, netball and squash for the event.
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