England success is spotlighting women’s sports at Comm Games

By COURTNEY WALSH
Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — A week after the Lionesses became the pride of England for winning the Women’s European Championship, their compatriots in field hockey are hoping for their own historic moment in Birmingham. England has claimed a women’s hockey medal in the six previous Commonwealth Games but gold has proven elusive. A thrilling victory over New Zealand in the semifinals has given the English another chance to end the drought. They will face four-time champion Australia in Sunday’s final. Their success is a bonus for Commonwealth officials who have placed an emphasis on highlighting women’s sport, with a priority on three major team finals to be staged on what is being branded Super Sunday. Gold medals from the women’s cricket, hockey and netball finals will all be decided on the penultimate day.