Birmingham 2022 set for largest ever female and para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has today announced that Birmingham 2022 is set to have the largest ever female and para sport programme in history after Women’s T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis were confirmed for the next Commonwealth Games.

This exciting announcement comes after the 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) voted by the required majority to accept the proposal from Birmingham 2022 to add these three sports to the existing programme.

The addition of Women’s T20 Cricket will see eight teams competing at Birmingham’s iconic Edgbaston Stadium. This adds to a strong female sports programme which, as it stands, will see two more women’s medal events than men’s at the Games, with 135 compared to 133. There are currently seven mixed events, with the confirmed event programme to be announced next year.

It marks the first time in history that a major multi-sport event will feature more women’s than men’s medal events.

The addition of these sports means Birmingham 2022 is expected to surpass the previous Commonwealth Games record for women’s medal events in Gold Coast 2018 by two.

With the inclusion of Para Table Tennis, the Games will have more para sports of the programme at a Commonwealth Games than ever before, with eight para sports now confirmed for the multi-sport competition.

Beach Volleyball joins the sports programme for Birmingham 2022 following a hugely successful Commonwealth Games debut at Gold Coast 2018, where it became one of the star attraction at the Games.

Today’s announcement also confirms that there will be up to 4,500 athletes competing at Birmingham 2022 across 19 sports. The Games will take place from 27 July to August 7 in 2022.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: "Today is an historic day for the Commonwealth Games and I am delighted that we can now confirm that Birmingham 2022 is set to have the largest ever female and para-sport programme in history.

"I would like to congratulate and formally welcome Women’s T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis to the official sports programme for Birmingham 2022 and I know they will all help enhance what will be a spectacular and vibrant multi-sport event.

"I would also like to thank our Commonwealth Games Associations for recognising the benefit that these three exciting sports will add to Birmingham 2022 and voting to include them to the sports programme.

"We are passionate advocates of women’s sport and para-sport so I am thrilled we are able to make this special announcement today."

International Cricket Council Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: "We are delighted and honoured the Commonwealth Games Associations voted to include Women’s T20 cricket as a sport at the next Commonwealth Games.

"This is a very significant moment for women’s cricket and for the global cricket community, who were united in their support of this bid. Our partnership with the Commonwealth Games is a significant step forward in realizing our ambition for the women’s game. All the players who are lucky enough to compete at Birmingham 2022 will be part of a truly memorable experience."

International Table Tennis Federation President (ITTF) President Thomas Weikert said: "The ITTF is delighted to learn that the Commonwealth Games Federation has accepted the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee’s recommendation for the inclusion of Para Table Tennis. We wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Table Tennis England in preparing the submission.

"This will hopefully provide us with an opportunity to build upon the successes of the Gold Coast Games, to further the development of our Para athletes across the Commonwealth and provide an impetus for activity on the local and national scene in England. The inclusion of Para Table Tennis in multisport competitions that are not exclusively "Para events" is also a clear proof of how popular Table Tennis is and how viable it is for local organising committees to stage our sport."

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said: "The FIVB is honoured that beach volleyball has once again been selected for the Commonwealth Games after its successful debut at Gold Coast 2018."

"Volleyball is an inclusive sport that is enjoyed all over the commonwealth by people of all abilities and backgrounds. As a sports leader in gender equality, we are extremely proud to bring the fantastic atmosphere of beach volleyball to Birmingham 2022, an event which is set to have the biggest female and para sports programmes in history."

Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022 said: "I am delighted that our proposal to add women’s cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis to our sports programme has been endorsed by the CGF’s Executive Board and now by Commonwealth Games Associations from across the globe.

"We proposed these sports after carrying out a thorough and robust review with some of our partners and it was clear to the review panel that these sports will help us to reach new audiences, ensuring that we seize this fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the Games, the West Midlands region and the people that live here.

"We’re also delighted that we’re now able to add Edgbaston Stadium to our list of venues for Birmingham 2022, as it’s truly a world-class facility and a jewel in Birmingham’s sporting crown."

Nigel Adams MP, UK Minister for Sport, Media and Creative Industries said: "I am proud that the UK is hosting the largest ever women and para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. It is the first time any major multi-sport competition has more medal events for women than men, and builds on the incredible growth of women’s sport. These additions are also a fantastic opportunity to increase the profile of para sport, and to showcase the city of Birmingham to a global audience."

Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket said:"We are incredibly excited that Women’s T20 Cricket will be included in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It’s an honour for cricket to be involved in an event that is committed to championing female and para sport.

"Cricket’s inclusion offers a wonderful opportunity to capitalise on the global reach of the Games to showcase the very best of women’s cricket and to inspire a new generation of women and girls to start playing the game.

"We are really pleased that the teams at both Birmingham 2022 and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) share our belief in the power of cricket to connect communities, inspire and engage people across the world."

Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Warwickshire CCC said: "Seeing women’s T20 recognised as a sport in the Commonwealth Games is fantastic for the game of cricket and we’re thrilled that Edgbaston can play a leading role by hosting this first ever tournament at Birmingham 2022.

"Our recent hosting of the Specsavers Ashes Test match and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup proved once again that, by working in partnership with our city stakeholders and delivery partners, Birmingham is an outstanding host of the world’s biggest sporting events.

"Birmingham 2022 will put the city, and the West Midlands, on the world stage again and we’re very excited to be working with the Commonwealth Games organising team on delivering one of the biggest events that this region has ever experienced."

England Women’s all-rounder Nat Sciver said: "It’s massively exciting for women’s cricket to get an opportunity like this at Birmingham 2022. We are always looking to grow cricket and to take it to as many people as possible and the platform of Birmingham 2022 will really help that.

"England Netball winning the gold in Australia was inspirational and we hope during our own Commonwealth Games journey, we can also inspire and encourage more girls to get involved in cricket.

"We’ve obviously been lucky enough to lift a World Cup on home soil, and as a kid that was something we’d all always dreamt of. The Commonwealth Games is different of course, but the idea of becoming a medallist on home soil is hugely exciting and hopefully we can work towards that."

Team England Beach Volleyball players Victoria Palmer and Jess Grimson said: "We’re super excited about the inclusion of beach volleyball for Birmingham 2022. We had the opportunity to represent Team England at the Gold Coast in 2018, which was something we will never forget. But to have the opportunity to play at a home games would be the real dream and also a huge step forward for beach volleyball in England."

Para Table Tennis player Ross Wilson said: "It is brilliant news that Para table tennis will be included in the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

"Competing for Team England on the Gold Coast last year was an incredible experience and I’m really proud to be Commonwealth champion. It is something I've always dreamed of and to go out and win was just an absolutely amazing feeling and one I can't really describe. I really hope that I will have the chance to defend my title in Birmingham in 2022 as to do that in front of a home crowd would be so special."

Commonwealth Games England CEO Paul Blanchard said: "This announcement is a very exciting moment for us as it not only adds three more sports to a very diverse programme but also provides the opportunity for more Team England athletes to represent their nation at a home Games in Birmingham.

"Para table tennis adds to an already packed para programme, the biggest ever, which we are incredibly excited about. Roommates Ross Wilson and Kim Daybell battling it out in the TT6-10 final to take gold and silver for Team England was a standout moment for me at the Gold Coast 2018 Games.

"After seeing first hand what a spectacle the beach volleyball competition was in Australia, I can’t wait to see it again on home soil. We also applaud the inclusion of women’s T20 cricket and welcome the sport joining us for the first time ever after a thrilling year of growth in women’s sport."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

120 female cricketers (15 players per team) will compete at Birmingham 2022 across eight match days as the sport of cricket returns to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1998, when South Africa won the men's 50-overs-a-side competition in Kuala Lumpur.

Para Table Tennis will see 32 athletes compete across four medal events at the Games. It will take place at the NEC in the same venue table tennis competition.

A men’s and women’s beach volleyball event at Birmingham 2022 will see 48 athletes compete. A venue for this sport will be announced soon.

About the CGF

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports Movement: to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport.

For more information please contact:

CGF Media and Communications Manager

Tom Degun

+ 44 (0) 7788 580790

t.degun@thecgf.com

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