While squash has been celebrating its first appearance at the next Olympics, it has suffered a major blow in being axed from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games program.
Rugby sevens and hockey joined squash in voicing their dismay at being left out of the slimline 2026 event, with sports announced on Tuesday.
Others left out included T20 cricket, badminton, triathlon, beach volleyball, mountain biking, road cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting and table tennis and wrestling.
The racquet sport was hopeful of making the list, given one of the chosen venues, Scotstoun Sports Complex, successfully hosted the sport at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.
Squash Australia boss Robert Donaghue said the news was heartbreaking to the country's top players, who were set to use the Games to prepare for the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
"Today's announcement is a blow to the players who have had their dream of competing in the Commonwealth Games taken away from them," he said.
"With Rachael Grinham carrying the flag into the opening ceremony in 2022 and Australia contributing 11 gold and 33 total medals since 1998, Australia has achieved great success in a sport which has been part of the fabric of the Commonwealth Games for a quarter of a century."
Hockey Australia was similarly disappointed to be axed given the strength of Commonwealth nations in the sport and the existence of the 2014 venue.
National hockey bodies in countries such as England, India, New Zealand and even Scotland had jointly lobbied for inclusion.
"I know I join all our Commonwealth compatriots in saying we hope this is a temporary adjustment to the Games schedule," Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles said.
The Kookaburras remain unbeaten at the Commonwealth Games, while the women's team, the Hockeyroos, have medalled at every event.
Scotstoun Stadium, which will host the athletics, is also the home of the Glasgow Warriors rugby union side, meaning there's an existing field for sevens rugby.
The Glasgow 26 organising committee cited "operational challenges" for not hosting any sports other than track and field at the complex.
"Since it was incorporated into the Commonwealth Games, rugby sevens has been one of the event's most popular and engaging formats," Rugby Australia said in a statement.
"The Australian women's team had hoped to defend the Commonwealth Games gold medal won before a packed stadium in Birmingham two years ago and the men's side, having just achieved their best result at an Olympics in Paris this year, were similarly confident of a strong showing in Glasgow."
Netball was one of the 10 sports included, with the Diamonds also set to defend their Commonwealth crown for a fourth time.
"Netball Australia and the Australian Diamonds are thrilled that the Commonwealth Games Federation has included netball in the program of events for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow," said Netball Australia boss Stacey West.
"The top netball nations are all Commonwealth countries, and this decision shows the depth and strength of our sport."
