The Commonwealth Games are undergoing a major shake-up, with pros and cons for New Zealand and some of our favourite events.
Under a new proposal, the number of mandatory sports would be slashed from 16 down to just two, with the host city given the flexibility to choose a programme to boost appeal and drive down costs.
While officials say it's increased the chances of the event returning to New Zealand, it could spell bad news for netball, where the Silver Ferns are traditionally among the medal favourites.
Only athletics and swimming will remain as compulsory sports, and host countries can opt for local favourites, which could leave sports like netball in danger.
World Netball vice-president Shirley Hooper admits the latest developments are concerning, but she's confident the relative popularity and participation levels for the event should ensure its survival, regardless of the host city's location.
"At first, it was a little bit confronting," admits Hooper. "We believe we have a lot of things going for us.
"We're always the first venue to sell out... we have great participation across the Commonwealth, so we tick a lot of boxes."
New Zealand Olympic Committee boss and Commonwealth Games Federation vice president Kereyn Smith understands the frustration of other sports, but insists the latest initiative is the right move.
"I think the balance, at the moment, is about having consistency and a nod to the heritage in the past, and then the flexibility of retaining the core elements of the Games," says Smith.
"I don't see this dramatically changing. It will change around the edges, but the core of the programme will be pretty stable."
The decision also comes with the hope it could open up alternative, smaller countries - like New Zealand - as potential hosts.
Newshub understands that could mean Auckland hosting the Games by as soon as 2030 - 40 years since the city last held them in 1990.
"My vision is that if New Zealand were to host the Games in the future, we'd want sports on that programme the Kiwis love," Smith adds.
"Kids would go and we'd have thousands of volunteers. That's what the Commonwealth Games are all about."
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