The Commonwealth Games are almost here with Glasgow stepping in at short notice to ensure the event could go ahead. The result is a streamlined programme that reflects both the challenges and opportunities of delivering a major international sporting event in a condensed format.
This year’s Games will feature 10 sports over 10 days, with para-sports fully integrated into the competition schedule, continuing the Commonwealth Games’ commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Exclusion of hockey raises concerns
While many of the headline events remain, including athletics and swimming, the reduced programme has inevitably led to some difficult decisions. The exclusion of sports such as hockey has raised concerns about the impact on athlete participation, particularly for women. With fewer team sports included, opportunities for female athletes to compete on the Commonwealth stage have been reduced, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing a streamlined event with the Games’ ambitions around equality and representation.
Glasgow deserves credit for stepping forward to safeguard the future of the Commonwealth Games. But the revised format also serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that future editions provide broad and equitable opportunities for athletes across all sports.
Record number of women in Team Wales
As Wales prepares for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, there is much for us to celebrate. Among the 114 athletes selected to represent Team Wales, 66 are women, which is a powerful statement about the strength, depth, and ambition of female sport in Wales. And as usual, in our ambition to celebrate, we are highlighting them across our platforms, so look out for them and follow us if you don’t already!
For many of these athletes the Commonwealth Games offers something unique. Unlike the Olympic Games, where competitors represent Great Britain, the Commonwealth Games provides one of the few opportunities for athletes in a number of sports such as bowls and netball to compete on the international stage wearing the red jersey of Wales. There is something profoundly special about seeing Welsh athletes represent their nation, their communities, and their heritage.
For women and girls watching at home, those moments matter. They inspire belief, pride, and aspiration.
Progress but still a long way to go
The growth in female representation within Team Wales is a significant achievement and one that deserves to be celebrated. It reflects the remarkable progress made in women’s sport over recent years, with more female athletes competing and excelling on the international stage than ever before.
However, it is important not to lose sight of the wider context. While opportunities for women in sport have expanded the playing field is still far from level. Men remain significantly more likely than women to participate in sport, almost half of women report feeling unsafe when taking part in sport or physical activity throughout the year, while many sporting facilities and environments were originally designed with male participants in mind.
Against this backdrop, the achievements of our female athletes are even more impressive. Their success is not only a testament to their talent and dedication but also to their resilience in overcoming challenges that too often stand in the way of participation and progression.
Call for transparency in investment
This is why our manifesto calls for greater transparency around investment in women’s sport. Too often discussions about funding take place behind closed doors, making it difficult to understand whether resources are being distributed fairly or effectively. Transparency is not about criticism; it is about accountability. If we are serious about creating an equitable sporting landscape we need clear information about where money is being invested, who benefits, and what outcomes are being achieved. We’re not asking to know what occurs in discussions but even a little bit of clarity in financial accounts would be valuable!
The achievements we will witness in Glasgow are the result of years of dedication from athletes, coaches, clubs, and families. But elite success does not happen by accident. It depends on strong pathways that identify talent early, facilities that provide opportunities to participate, and decisions that consider the implications for women and girls as they progress through every stage of their development.
Ensuring a lasting legacy
That is why we cannot allow the excitement of the Commonwealth Games to distract us from the work that still lies ahead. We’ve seen such a big growth in women’s sport over the last few years. However, across Wales, too many girls continue to drop out of sport during their teenage years. Too many talented young athletes face barriers to progression. Too many communities still lack the facilities, coaching, and opportunities needed to nurture the next generation.
The women representing Wales this summer are role models but they must not become exceptions. Our ambition should be to ensure that every girl in Wales can see a clear pathway to how they can wear a Welsh shirt by providing safe and appropriately supported opportunities.
As we cheer on Team Wales in Glasgow, let’s celebrate the athletes who have earned their place on the Commonwealth stage. But let’s also use this moment to renew our commitment to the future. Greater transparency in investment, facilities that work for all women and girls, women decision-makers, and safe opportunities to participate are not optional extras. They are essential if Wales is to continue producing the champions of tomorrow.
The Commonwealth Games will give us unforgettable moments. Our responsibility is to ensure they leave a lasting legacy.
