The Commonwealth Games
It's July 2002 and the Commonwealth Games are upon us!
Held every four years, the Commonwealth Games bring together the 72 countries
of the Commonwealth. This year, the Commonwealth Games are being held
in Manchester, England.
History of the Commonwealth Games
The idea for a Commonwealth sports competition was first suggested in
1891 to promote goodwill and understanding throughout the British Empire.
The Commonwealth Games has undergone several name changes in its history.
In 1911, the Games were known as the “Festival of Empire”,
changing to the British Empire Games (1930–1950), then the British
Empire and Commonwealth Games (1954–1966), the British Commonwealth
Games (1970–1974), and finally the Commonwealth Games (1978–present).
The format of the Games remains very similar to the Olympic Games. Both
begin with an opening ceremony and are mainly open to amateur sportspeople.
It was agreed that the Games be held every four years, half way between
the Olympic Games.
The number of nations competing, and entitled to compete, has increased
as more countries have gained independence. Political changes affect a
country's eligibility to compete, for example, South Africa was
not eligible between 1958 and 1994. New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England,
Scotland, and Wales have competed at all the Games since 1930.
Events at the Commonwealth Games
Every Commonwealth Games must include a minimum of ten sports on its
programme. Athletics and swimming are compulsory and host cities select
at least eight other sports from a prescribed list.
At Manchester in 2002, athletes from 72 nations will compete in 17 sports
– 3 team sports and 14 individual sports (aquatics, athletics, badminton,
boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, rugby
sevens, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting, and
wrestling). Eight events in various sports will also be held for elite
athletes with a disability.
The New Zealand team
This year, New Zealand is sending over 200 athletes to the Commonwealth
Games. Amongst this number are four entries in team sports: the New Zealand
Rugby Sevens, the Silver Ferns netball team, and the men's and women's
hockey teams.
The New Zealand team is thought to have particularly strong medal chances
in cycling, squash, rugby, netball, and triathlon.
Contact the New Zealand team
Get in behind the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team by showing your
support. Two hundred and three athletes plus another 102 coaches, managers,
and support staff could do with your words of encouragement.
You can get in touch with the New Zealand team by email: teamnz@olympic.org.nz
or fax: 0044 161 225 5081.
Commonwealth Games sites on TKI
2002 Manchester
– The XVII Commonwealth Games
This website provides information about the 2002 Commonwealth Games including
the sports, nations competing, and history of the games. The Kits'
Zone section also includes a number of interactive games.
http://www.commonwealthgames.com
The New
Zealand Olympic Committee
This is the website of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, with information
about the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team.
http://www.olympic.org.nz/public/Front.asp
PhysEd/1/3
– B version 2
This assessment material entitled “Athletics pentathlon”,
relates to New Zealand physical education achievement standard 1.3. It
examines exploring the qualities of movement in a chosen physical activity
and involves students performing five athletic events.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/physed1_3Bv2_7aug01.doc
Technology/2/1
- D version 1
This assessment material entitled Safety in Sports - Food Technology,
relates to New Zealand technology achievement standard 2.1. It assesses
developing and modelling a conceptual design for a safe food product that
helps “post event recovery” of the body for water sports participants.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/tech2_1Dv1_27june01.doc
New Zealand sporting code websites
New Zealand Academy of Sport
This site contains up-to-date information on the Commonwealth Games, New
Zealand sporting teams and events, and useful links to other New Zealand
sporting sites, including Triathlon New Zealand, Swimming New Zealand,
and Hockey New Zealand.
http://www.nzas.org.nz
Netball New Zealand
This website is designed to provide information on netball in New Zealand.
It features information on teams including player profiles of the Silver
Ferns, an events calendar, latest news, and a description of the game
from the history to the rules. Hoopla! Online, is a free e-zine packed
with useful netball information – this can be subscribed to by email.
Other netball related resources are also available via the site.
http://www.netballnz.co.nz
Please note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please let us know if you find anything inappropriate, if you find a broken link, or if you have an update for a link by emailing links@tki.org.nz. Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to before using them with students.
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