The Commonwealth Games are an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and has taken place every four years since then. The Commonwealth Games were known as the British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974. It is the world's first multi-sport event which inducted equal number of women’s and men’s medal events and was implemented recently in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The 1974 British Commonwealth Games were held in Christchurch, New Zealand from 24 January to 2 February 1974. The bid vote was held in Edinburgh at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. The Games were officially named "the friendly games". There were 1,276 competitors and 372 officials, according to the official history, and public attendance was excellent. The main venue was the QEII Park, purpose built for this event. The Athletics Stadium and fully covered Olympic standard pool, diving tank, and practice pools were all on the one site. The theme song was "Join Together", sung by Steve Allen. The Games were held after the 1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Dunedin for wheelchair athletes.
The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 24 July and 2 August 1986. They were the second Games to be held in Edinburgh.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee is the body in New Zealand responsible for selecting athletes to represent New Zealand in the Summer and Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.
Netball Australia is the peak governing body for the sport of netball in Australia. The organisation's stated objectives for Australian netball are to achieve national and international success in competition, encourage greater participation and spectator involvement, and ensure excellence in all spheres of the sport.
Luke O'Donnell is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he previously played his club football in Australia with National Rugby League teams the Balmain Tigers, Wests Tigers, North Queensland Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters, with whom he featured in the club's 13th premiership. O'Donnell also played for two seasons with the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League.
William Victor Mahony is a former breaststroke swimmer who represented Canada in multiple international championships from 1966 to 1974, including two Summer Olympics, the Pan American Games, and two Commonwealth Games.
Adrian Blincoe is a New Zealand middle distance runner who specializes mainly in the 5000 metres. He also competes in the 1500 metres and in the 3000 metres. In July 2008, Adrian set the New Zealand record in the 5000m, running 13:10.19.
Kathleen "Katie" O'Donnell Bam is an American field hockey player. She was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and attended Wissahickon High School in Ambler, Pennsylvania. O'Donnell began playing for the Maryland Terrapins in the 2007 season. She was the youngest member of the 2005 United States women's national team and has become known for her excellent stick skills and ability to create. Her attributes were put on full display throughout her freshman campaign as she earned a starting position for the preseason number-one team in the country at forward.
Since the first in 1930, New Zealand has competed in all 21 editions of the Commonwealth Games and has won a total of 656 medals including 159 gold.
Joseph Michael McDonnell, is a rugby union coach who played eight tests for New Zealand. As of 2008 he plays for Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership and in 2009 he has joined the CR El Salvador. As of 2017, he is the head coach of Rugby Rovigo Delta.
David Charles Michael Carter is a Canadian field hockey player who is the goalie for the Canada men's national field hockey team. He made his international debut on home soil against Chile in 2007 and registered a 1–1 draw. His first career win came at the Azlan Shah Cup Tournament in Malaysia against Belgium in 2008. Carter currently has 122 international caps and has represented Canada at the 2009 Pan American Cup, 2010 World Cup, 2010 Commonwealth Games, and 2011 Pan American Games alongside various other international competitions. After playing for the UBC Thunderbirds for 5 years, Carter currently plays for the United Brothers of the Vancouver Premier League. Carter was selected Goaltender of the Tournament for the 2009 Pan American Cup which qualified Canada for the 2010 World Cup to be held in New Delhi, India. He was also selected to the Pan American Elite Team in 2009. Instrumental in helping Canada qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016, Carter was named both Player of the Tournament and Goalie of the Tournament at the World League Round 3 Event in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the event Canada defeated New Zealand in a 14 round shootout after regulation time ended 0-0, where Carter was called upon to make multiple saves to keep Canada alive in the quarterfinal match up. He then achieved a silver medal in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and was then nominated for FIH Goalie of the Year. His incredible 2015 was rounded out with being named Field Hockey Canada Player of the Year and another selection to the Pan American Elite Team.
Hamish Byron Bond is a New Zealand rower and double Olympic gold medallist at the 2012 London Olympic Games and at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. He has won seven consecutive World Rowing Championships gold medals in the coxless pair and has set two world best times in the coxless and coxed pair. He made a successful transition from rowing to road cycling after the 2016 Summer Olympics focussing on the road time trial.
The Australia national netball team, commonly known as the Australian Netball Diamonds and Samsung Diamonds for sponsorship reasons, represent Australia in international netball tests and competitions. The team was formed in 1938 and played that year in the first international game of netball against New Zealand.
Kyle Jones is an Olympian and former professional triathlete from Canada. He represented Canada at 13 World Championships and 5 Major Games competitions including the 2007, 2011 & 2015 Pan American Games, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. His career highlights include 3 National Championship titles, multiple ITU World Cup medals and a 6th place finish at the 2012 ITU World Championship Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand.
Valerie Christine Smith is an international lawn bowler from New Zealand.
Tayla Bruce is a New Zealand international lawn bowls player.
Sian Eileen Law is a wrestler from New Zealand.
Ben O'Dea is a New Zealand beach volleyball player.
Sam O'Dea is a New Zealand beach volleyball player.
