NO LOVE LOST – Netball at the ‘friendly’ Commonwealth Games can be far from it…
With two pools of six nations each, all chomping at the bit to grab netball gold, and lots of history between them, expect full-blooded, feisty encounters.
As the Glasgow Games heat up, Chloe Shields gives the low-down on these show-downs.
POOL A:
Australia: Ready to Retain Their Title
Netball is the most popular women’s team sport down under, with a vibrant history of success since their first international match won 40-11 in 1938 against neighbours New Zealand in Melbourne. They have never come lower than second in a major international tournament, with a physical and highly organised ‘one vs one’ style of play that is near impossible to break down.
They boast a squad full of both youth and experience. Captain Liz Watson has 14 major honours and has been leading the side since 2021, joined by senior defensive anchor Courtney Bruce whilst experienced up and coming stars bolster the ranks including exciting shooting talent Sophie Dwyer and Adelaide Thunderbird’s versatile defender Matilda Garrett two of five making their Commonwealth debut. All players play for a team in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League, rooted in an Aussie style of play and the professionalism of the most dominant netball league in the world.
Stacey Marinkovich has coached the side since 2020 and praises the current form of experienced players and the long-term development pathway for young talent coming through the ranks. A former Diamond herself, she revels in the pressure, assembling this team of proven winners, young talent and versatile options to combat the fast-paced challenges that the tight turn-around of a nine-day Commonwealth campaign brings.
It won’t all be smooth sailing, the tall stature and rapid rise of Jamaica will prove a challenge, the Diamonds only winning by four goals in the previous Commonwealth final against the Sunshine Girls. In a pot with England, a fierce netballing rivalry defined by 2018 final heartache as the Roses won the Commonwealth final in the last second on the Gold Coast, Australia will need to be at their best to reach their golden expectations.
Player to Watch: Georgie Horjus.
They key playmaker had a standout performance in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final for Adelaide Thunderbirds, coming into her debut Commonwealth Games in fine form. Her unpredictable versatility to play in the midcourt and the edge of the shooting circle keeps defenders guessing.
England: New Coach, Fresh Identity.
The Roses have become one of netball’s modern success stories, famously winning Commonwealth gold on Australia’s home soil in 2018. With a new interim head coach Anna Stembridge appointed in March after the departure of Jess Thirlby after 7 years in the position, England are in a period of transition, with the Commonwealth Games coming in the midst of uncertainty.
Indeed, a major blow for the Roses is the back fracture to veteran superstar shooter Helen Housby ruling her out of the competition, and with only two players still in the squad from the Birmingham home games after the late withdrawal of Natalie Metcalf due to a calf injury, this team in transition will hope to live up to the success of squads past. Plenty of up and coming stars enter the tournament with a wealth of experience though, goal attack Sasha Glasgow comes off a prolific Super Netball Campaign and Eleanor Cardwell’s reach and accuracy will make defenders life difficult in the shooting circle. Lois Pearson is heading to her first international tournament after a standout Players Player of the Season league campaign.
England’s defensive contingent includes Halimat Adio, Funmi Fadoju and Jayda Pechová alongside captain Fran Williams. After cementing her place in England’s squad through a run of consistent performances for London Pulse, Adio is set to make her Commonwealth Games debut as club teammate Fadoju also earns selection and arrives at the Games as one of the world’s leading defenders. The 2026 tournament will be the second major international competition of her career, having previously represented England at the 2023 Netball World Cup. England is typically a team with tight defensive tenacity, a series of retirements in this area in recent years makes the position more competitive. A worry in this defensive end is the lack of height, the tallest defender Williams is 10cm shorter than the tallest shooters from other nations.
4th in their last Commonwealth outing and runners up in the 2023 World Cup, England will be poised for success in a tough Pool A, a result against South Africa or Australia should see them into the knockouts and a medal would be within their expectations. With a recent loss to South Africa and a Day 2 Aussie clash however, this competition will put the injury hit Roses to the test.
Player to Watch: Fran Williams
The Roses captain leads from a strong Super Netball campaign, taking West Coast Fever’s MVP award, her versatility across the attack makes her one to watch. The youngest member of the Roses squad at the 2019 World Cup, her leadership comes from years of experience rising through the ranks, she will be one to follow both on and off the field.
South Africa: Rising Force, New Generation.
Facing arch-rivals Malawi in their opening game in what will be a tightly-contested tie between continental powerhouses, South Africa will need to bring their A-game with trademark tenacious and mature attitude from the very start. Ranked 5th in the world and coming 4th in their home World Cup, manager Jenny van Dyk has been the architect of a competitive and flexible squad ready to challenge the top teams, particularly tripping up England in recent outings winning 65-51 in a series decider this February.
With depth in every area of the court, SPAR Proteas bring a blend of leadership, experience and composure. Their extensive exposure to overseas tournaments, coupled with the number of players competing in the English Super League, familiar with the playing styles of their opponents. Struggling with sharp transitions and last-minute decision making, van Dyke will need to bring tight tactics if they hope to overcome tough Pool A opponents England and Australia back to back with enough energy to play finals the following day. A medal isn’t out of the question for the African Cup champions, but they will have to come out of the blocks firing, and maintain energy throughout to overcome the giants.
Prolific shooter Elmere van der Berg leads the line finishing the Suncorp Netball League with 90% shooting accuracy, joined up front by the speed and defensive support of London Pulse’s goal attack Kamogelo Maseko. The midcourt is a more contested area and has proved difficult for Proteas to get right, with popular captain Khanyisa Chawane relied on, but used across all three positions, South Africa have struggled to find her an effective partnership to deal with their issue in midcourt transitions.
Rising star Tarle Mathe, a student alongside her sports career and one of the only players in the squad to play her league netball in South Africa, will disrupt the defence and find pockets of space to attack in her tournament debut. Wing defence Refiloe Nketsa and London Mavericks defender Jamie Golob forming an internationally strong and reliable defensive outlet alongside recently out of retirement Karla Pretorius highly sought after for her game intelligence. Sanmarie Visser is a proven defender against opponents England, winning player of the series against them in January. This strong and diverse defence and attack will cushion the historic shortcomings of the Proteas centre area now also buoyed by new stars, hoping to take their game one step further into the medal positions in Glasgow.
Player to Watch: Nicola Smith
Manchester Thunder’s goal keeper won the Super League with her team this year and has incredible height and arm length to keep the shots out. Hopefully, she’ll be fully back from injury.
Malawi: Can New-Look Queens Upset the Order?
Malawi have been competing at the Commonwealth Games since 2006, coming 5th in 2010 and 2014. With a new coach in former New Zealand assistant Deb Fuller taking charge for the Games, Malawi seem to have intent on making history in Glasgow. Formerly an African powerhouse, winning the inaugural two additions of the African Netball Cup in 2010 and 2012, they have struggled since to overcome the mite of South Africa and Uganda coming 4th on home soil in 2025.
The team is also much changed, only three returning players from their 7th place finish in Cape Town with Takwonda Lwazi, one of Malawi’s finest netball exports, coming out of retirement. She made her debut for the side 12 years ago in Glasgow, a full circle moment for the midcourt engine. There are four players who competed in the Netball Youth World Cup: Sophilet Banda, Aisha Gama, Florence Jeke, Melia Soko and Stella Matelezi, so the Queens aren’t lacking in international experience and a blend of veteran and eager youngsters is how Malawi will line up.
The third lowest ranked team in their group, the Queens will struggle to make it into medal contention and wins against lower nations Tonga and Northern Ireland won’t be enough for a title charge. Malawi lost 33-64 to South Africa in September 2025.
Player to Watch: Mwai Kumwenda
Returning after the birth of her son in July 2024, the shooter has been averaging 43 goals at 95% in the Victorian Netball League this season. Top scorer for her country at three consecutive tournaments, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Kumwenda provides the Queens with plenty of experience in attack.
Tonga: A ‘Bit of Magic’ on their Debut.
With an identity driven by their passionate pacific island culture, Tonga have gone from an unknown entity to a world class side tearing up courts with the spirit of their nation behind them. The name Tonga ‘Tala’ – taken from a deep-sea diving bird known for its intelligence, curiosity, quick wit, and endurance – was granted to them by Tonga’s Queen Nanasipauʻu in 2022. Coming 8th at the last Netball World Cup and ranked 8th in the world, they have already reached heights unimaginable when the team was first reinstated in 2020.
While netball has historically been played in Tonga, an ambitious restructuring in 2020 reshaped the island’s netball culture. Jaqua Pori-Makea-Simpson came in to coach a side with no team or infrastructure, but a national association with big ambitions of a world cup place and top 10 ranking. With drive and determination, and some recruiting on social media, Tonga won their first tournament, the PacificAus Netball Series, undefeated and then the Pacific Games gold just three years after their inception.
A team built on selflessness, humility and community, players and staff have made significant sacrifices to build the team seen today. Tonga have seen high turnover since their 2023 success, their squad filled with untested internationals, though with experience at state level. Kalolaine Luana Aukafolau is a mid-courter playing in the NSW Premier League and the defence is completed by ʻOtolose Fainga’anuku, who’s been playing for the Mainland Tactix National Netball League team in New Zealand.
For Tala, it won’t just be about a medal. Cementing themselves on the continental stage and showcasing to the world their pride and athleticism against the toughest opponents in Pool A should be a rewarding test, with winnable games against Malawi and uncharted opponents Northern Ireland enough to hit the ground running as they build for more milestones at the 2027 World Cup in Sydney.
Player to Watch: Hulita Veve
Returning to the international stage for the first time since suffering an ACL injury during the 2025 season, Veve is set to lead Tonga as captain and has the honour of serving as the nation’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony. A tireless presence in centre, her work rate and ability to influence both attack and defence make her one of Tonga’s key players to be relied upon.
Northern Ireland: Will Warriors Turn Defence into Meaningful Attack?
The lowest-ranked team in the competition, they’ve had three years to prepare for the Commonwealth Games after missing out on a spot in the 2023 World Cup. Their best Commonwealth performance came in 2014, finishing 7th with wins against St Lucia and Scotland, but their favours have fallen since. It’s hard to see the Warriors getting a pool play win against world class England and Australia and passionate Tonga and Malawi outfits. Losing all their Celtic Cup games last November, it’s difficult to see what the team is building towards.
Eleven players return from the squad taken to Birmingham, half the team’s experience is shared between Fionnuala Toner, centre and vice-captain Caroline O’Hanlon and Niamh Cooper, regular stalwarts and part of all four of Northern Ireland’s Commonwealth run-outs. Lisa Bowman is back as goal attack, taking a step away from netball returning to club in January, she will work alongside debutant Orlaith Rogers to increase the team’s shot accuracy in hopes of a better finish then four years ago.
Manager Sheonah Forbes, who took control in 2023, wants Northern Ireland not just to make up the numbers but compete at the Games despite funding concerns. In her tenure she has increased chances for developing players with a style of tight defending in the midcourt and swift ball handling. It will be tough in such a dominant group, but with a spine of experienced central players and young exciting wingers coming through the ranks, Forbes will be looking for her team to cause an upset and take the Glasgow courts by storm.
Player to Watch: Michelle Magee
Captain Magee came through the youth ranks, captaining the U17s, also playing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 World Cup at just 19 years old. With plenty of international experience at a young age, her versatility across the defensive line makes her an unpredictable presence with her primary position GD. Magee is also Leeds Rhinos Vice-Captain, and most capped player.
POOL B:
New Zealand: Can Silver Ferns Jump to Gold?
The Silver Ferns are capable of reliving the golden glory of 2010. With the tallest squad and ranked 2nd in the world, anything short of a medal would seem a failure, with top spot within reach. They won all but two tests played last year, without coach Dame Noeline Taurua due to suspension which was overturned at the beginning of 2026. Half the squad play in Australia – the Suncorp League the most competitive in the world – strengthening their ability to play against the best and break down the man-marking style of their closest rivals and neighbours, Australia.
Tall defender Kelly Jackson has been a stalwart in the goal keeper position since her debut in 2017. In the attack the retirement of captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio will be a blow, but youngsters Martina Salmon, Amelia Walmsley and Georgia Heffernan have been readied to take up the mantle. Youngster Carys Stythe comes into her debut tournament after winning Aspiring Silver Fern in 2023, off the back of a good ANZP season, and despite the background noise from the New Zealand domestic league being under threat of financial collapse.
The Silver Ferns can win battles through the midcourt, with a really strong central area, a weakness for opponents. Kate Heffernan has been in great form this season with a long reach and height for a midcourt player, she is a versatile player who can also command the wing. Maddy Gordon, part of the World Cup 4th place squad three years ago, is pacy on the edge of the circle making 135 assists for the Queensland Firebirds last season.
They will surely walk out of the pool stage, with the competition heating up when in medal contention. They will want to live up to their ranking and bring the glory back down under for the first time in 16 years.
Player to Watch: Grace Nweke
In her second Commonwealth Games, the 24-year-old will aim to build on her standout performance in the bronze medal match in Birmingham. Praised for her flawless shooting and named best shooter in the 2023 Netball Quad Series against the Australian Diamonds, Nweke brings young leadership and precision shooting, holding a 90% goal accuracy in last year’s NSW Swift season. One to watch now and the future, on and off the field.
Jamaica: Changed Team Chasing More History
The Sunshine Girls only have to cast their mind back four years for one of the greatest moments in their history. A nail-biting loss by only three goals in the 2022 Commonwealth Games final, after an unstoppable tournament overcoming New Zealand, South Africa and eventual winners Australia in the pool stage (see photos above). They won bronze at the previous two games, proving their dominance, and are ranked 3rd in the world.
Hot contenders for a medal and second ranked in their group, Jamaica are an exciting team to watch, as they once again compete for top spot. A feisty and passionate side with a mixed bag of recent results including losses to England and Australia, but thumping wins against South Africa, the girls will need to bring all their tournament experience to upgrade their medal.
Jamaica will have to go for glory without star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard after the birth of her child. However, Romelda Aiken-George has come out of retirement to replace her in the West Coast Fever team, still prolific in attack and despite her low training load, her experience could prove crucial should the Sunshine Girls reach the finals. World Youth Cup star Azara Wilmot should get game time up front, in a team balancing youths and veterans. Brier Grierson, previously in the Roses development programme, made her debut in 2025, adding creativity, depth and ball security in attack.
Defensively Jamaica are feared, tight, tactical and tall. Their 6ft 3in captain and GK/GD Shamera Sterling-Humphry led her club, Adelaide Thunderbirds to their first title in decades, and she forms a strong partnership with Kadie-Ann Dehaney, who represented the side in Birmingham.
The team struggled with funds ahead of the tournament, with coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright making a public appeal for sponsorship for a strength and conditioning coach. However, a pre-games training camp in Durham proved important in building tactical analysis and team building, all coming together to prepare for the intensity of this short tournament.
Motivated by the heartache of falling just short in Birmingham, Jamaica should compete strongly, and as long as players stay fit and things go their way, the Sunshine Girls could swap silver for gold.
Player to Watch: Jodi-Ann Ward
A veteran, active with Jamaica since 2017, Ward was a key player in the thrilling bronze medal match against New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Playing her league netball in Australia, she’s a cornerstone defender for the Giants, making 13 turnovers and bagging 387 net points this year.
Wales: Head Coach’s Last Dance.
Feathers Coach Emily Handyside will depart her role at the end of the Games. She’s raised the side to 6th in the world rankings, their highest ever position, professionalising the Welsh Netball pathway considerably during her four years in charge – and taking the team to a World Cup and through a full Commonwealth Games cycle. She departs ahead of an ambitious ‘Ymladd 2030’ charge, a blueprint that makes the head coach position full-time, strengthening the country’s pathways for coaches, officials and players.
Quietly becoming one of Europe’s most consistently improving teams, the ‘Welsh Way’ consists of building possession through midcourt transitions. They utilise tall shooters in Georgia Rowe (the tallest in the Netball Super League at 195cm) and their man-marking makes Wales difficult to break down, rarely giving opponents easy opportunities.
Their best Commonwealth standings came in 2002, finishing 6th, but coming off an impressive Super League season, finishing a record 5th, the Feathers could cause an upset. Facing age-old rivals Scotland in the Pool, a medal may be beyond reach, they might push higher-ranked nations deep into contests.
Defeating Tonga 65-52 in their final friendly before the Glasgow tournament, Wales will have confidence in their ability to challenge on their 5th time of asking on the Commonwealth stage. Captain and midcourter Bethan Dyke took her country to the last Netball World Cup in 2023, and flanked by emerging talent in 19-year-old wing attack Lowri Winsor, the Feathers have an exciting mix of youth and experience to signal the success of their pathways and ambitions for the future.
Player to Watch: Phillipa Yarranto
Player of the Match in their send-off game against Tonga, with 85% shooting accuracy in last season’s Netball Super League, Yarranto’s versatility and consistency will be key for the Feathers.
Uganda: First Test For New Leaders
Following an unprecedented 5th place finish at the World Cup, the She Cranes might be able to get something out of Pool B. With a team defined by tall and powerful players in defence and attack alongside speed in the midcourt, Uganda have lots of international and league experience. Beating South Africa 54-48 in Birmingham, but losing bruisingly in the 2025 Africa Cup, the team will be confident that they could turn their 5th place into 4th, but this could be an ask.
The She Cranes line up with powerful height in defence and attack, with speed in the midcourt where they often struggle with ball security due to lack of height. Experienced Margaret Baagala and Lillian Achola add drive and creativity in the centre while Under-21 national captain Joan Ryekoboth adds young and exciting talent to the midcourt. Goal keeper Hanisha Muhammad plays in the up-and-coming Malaysian Super League, bolstering Uganda’s international experience, with height to challenge shooters. International playing experience is significant for the She Cranes, with half the squad playing in England or Malaysia, as there is a severe lack of finances and infrastructure to support the team on an international level, despite their recent success.
201cm tall leader Mary Cholhok provides transitional ability in attack, alongside 2015 World Cup captain Shadiah Nassanga and highly-experienced Racheal Nanyonga, who will be crucial for the side after captain Irene Eyaru’s retirement, leading in the next generation during two years of world stage netball.
This is Uganda’s second Commonwealth outing, and they will be hoping to better their best 5th place finish from Birmingham.
Player to Watch: Lillian Achola
The short but mighty defender was overlooked when coming through the youth ranks. At just 158cm, she didn’t make it into the youth World Cup squad, but signed for Ugandan Super League team Makindye Weyonje. Making her debut in 2023, she uses her short stature to get under defenders. Agile and speedy, she works creatively to find pockets to exploit in attack.
Scotland: Hosts’ Home Record Hopes
On home soil, the Thistles have named a highly experienced squad, and aim to use the Scottish crowd to better their four time 9th place finishes in the Games. 10th in the world rankings, Scotland won’t medal on Glasgow turf, but in a group with Wales, who they beat at the 2025 Celtic Cup 62-54, and experiencing only one loss in the competition to Uganda, their results against fierce rivals should determine where they place.
The squad holds five players with Commonwealth experience, including Beth Goodwin, Niamh McCall and Emily Nicholl who leads a young defensive structure. Emma Barrie’s height and confidence on the ball for Sunshine Coast Lightning works well with Cerys Cairns’ movement. The experience and youth of the centre area is also a threat, with Lexi Gillies making her international debut in 2025, and able to transition into wing defence.
New coach Kath Tetley was appointed in 2024 and has built on the foundations of her predecessor by giving chances to young talent and defining the Thistles’ playing style. They will hope that audiences in Glasgow get behind them in a bid to make more history together.
Player to Watch: Cerys Finn
Making her debut at just 18, Finn has had a standout first year of senior netball. The goal keeper starred in last year’s Netball Youth World Cup and has had a successful season in the Netball Super League, playing for London Maverick and Birmingham Panthers. She then headed to Thunder as an injury replacement player, adapting quickly and coming on in the Grand Final. Incredibly versatile, with great elevation and level-headed, she is a threat to opposition and could be an important fixture in the Thistles defence for years to come, with a home Games the perfect start.
Trinidad and Tobago: Ready For Resurgence?
Not a lot is known about the Calypso Girls’ preparations for Glasgow, with no reported match played by the side since their disappointing 12th place finish at the Cape Town World Cup. The side peaked nearly 50 years ago winning the 1979 (then) World Netball Championship, and with former player Carlette Nurse taking on the managerial reins it remains to be seen how this team runs out without international tests.
Only four players return from their World Cup tour: Joelisa Cooper, Jeresia McEachrane, Shaniya Morgan and 40-year old Afeisha Noel, a 191cm goal shooter who scored 182 goals at 89% accuracy last time out. She may still be relied upon, with the World Cup seeing over 40 goal deficits against New Zealand, Jamaica and Uganda, two of whom they will face in Scotland. Attacker Cooper has been to all four of The Calypso Girls Commonwealth Games campaigns, captaining the U21s, she has considerable international experience. Prolific Sammy Wallace-Joseph with 560 goals last season in the Netball Super League, plus Kalifa McCollin, will bolster the attack.
It’s unlikely, with no recent international play, that this untested team will challenge their opposition in Glasgow.
Player to Watch: Nicola Gill
The consistent goal defender has gone through the youth ranks, playing at the Youth World Cup and Commonwealth Games, impressing with her reach and elevation. She may be the future of the side who see Glasgow as a restart to international recognition.
Watch the Netball: TNT Sports are covering the netball live, with Channel Five showing daily highlights.
For the full netball schedule, check out https://www.glasgow2026.com/sports/netball
Photos: Helen M Jerome, Instagram
