Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Netball

By Steven Oldham

Click HERE for Commonwealth Games homepage

Netball is another one of the ten 'core sports' at the Commonwealth Games and has been ever present since debuting at the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur.
 
Along with rhythmic gymnastics, netball is one of the only sports solely competed by women at the Games.
 
The Commonwealths is the sport's biggest platform, as it has never been included in the Olympic programme.
 
WHEN?

The netball tournaments spans the length of the Games, with group matches kicking off on July 24. The medal matches are on August 3.
 
WHERE?

Netball happens across two locations - group matches are located in the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, while the medal matches will take place in the new 13,000 capacity Hydro Arena next door, which has been open less than a year.

WHO?

Australia and New Zealand have shared the spoils equally since netball debuted at the Commonwealth Games 16 years ago in Malaysia. They both have two gold and two silver medals from four tournaments. England have often been bridesmaids, picking up three bronze medals, with Jamaica the only other country to take a top three placing,

New Zealand have the momentum in Commonwealth terms, having upset the hosting Aussies in Melbourne in 2006 then retaining their title in Delhi four years ago. However, the team from Down Under have won the World Championships in both 2007 and 2011 so it really is cat and mouse between the two nations.

Twelve nations from across the Commonwealth will take part in netball this year.

LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...

• Netball games last for an hour, split into quarters. There are seven players on each team.
• Positions mean something in this sport, with only attacking players allowed to score. Players stick to their role and are restricted to where they move on court
• The court is split into three - one third for each of the team's rings, and the centre
• Players are not allowed to hold the ball for more than three seconds at a time, or dribble the ball around the court
• After a goal, play resumes from the centre zone with teams alternating taking 'centre passes'; regardless of which team has conceded the goal.

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Can Malawi win a first medal in netball in Glasgow?
(faceofmalawi.com)

Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Hockey

By Steven Oldham

Click HERE for Commonwealth Games homepage

At the Commonwealths, hockey is one of the 'core' sports that must be included in every edition of the Games - it's been a fixture since 1998.

WHEN?

Hockey is one of the first sports to get underway on the opening day of competition, July 24 with two women's group matches. The men start a day later. The hockey tournament spans the whole eleven days of the Commonwealths with the gold medal matches happening on the final two days, August 2 and 3.

WHERE?

Much like the London 2012 Olympic Games, hockey will take place in a newly built arena at the National Hockey Centre on Glasgow Green. Hosting two synthetic pitches, it will accommodate up to 5,000 fans during the Games and will continue to hold domestic and international hockey having opened its doors last year.

WHO?

Ten nations split into two groups of five will compete in both the men's and women's competitions in a round robin format. The top two from each group advance to the semi finals while the teams in third, fourth and fifth will play their corresponding team in the other group to settle the final classifications.

The ten countries competing are Australia, Canada, England, India, Malaysia New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa,  Trinidad & Tobago and Wales. All countries will field both male and female teams.

Australia have been the dominant force in Commonwealth hockey since 1998, with seven of eight available gold medals going to the teams from Down Under. Only the Indian women have broken their hold, defeating hosts England at the 2002 edition. The Aussies will once again be favourites in Glasgow having won gold and silver at the World Cup last month.

Host nation Scotland have yet to medal in hockey at the Commonwealths with a best finish of 7th in 2006.

MAKE ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...

• Teams of eleven compete in two halves of 35 minutes. The aim is simple - score more goals than your opponents. Substitutes are allowed with few restrictions. Players are not allowed to strike the ball with their feet if it gains them an advantage.
• Players often play more than one position depending on the state of gameplay at that time. The one exception are goalkeepers.
• Corners follow the same rule as football - if the last touch is off a defender once the ball is out of play behind the back line, the attacking team gets a corner. Similarly, free hits are like free kicks in that they are awarded for foul play - obstruction, using your body too much when tackling and so on.
• Hockey follows a three-stage disciplinary system - a green card is the least severe (a football yellow card), leading to a yellow card (a rugby union or ice hockey sin bin) followed by the most serious red card. Players can be issued with more than one yellow or green card, but not for the same offence. Repeated offences are punished by a more serious card.  

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Yes - click here 
 

#450652872 / gettyimages.com

Australia's men on their way to World Cup success in The Netherlands last month.