Events and ConcertsHuge congratulations to New Zealand’s Silver Ferns, who won Commonwealth Games netball gold at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Sunday night, defeating Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls 56 to 48. It is New Zealand’s first Commonwealth Games netball title since New Delhi in 2010, ending a 16-year gold medal drought, and it caps off a completely unbeaten tournament for the team. What an extraordinary achievement.
We have a personal reason to be especially proud of this one. Hire Society has provided transport for the Silver Ferns on our 19-seat midi coach since they arrived in Glasgow on 23 July, taking the team to and from their games throughout the tournament. Watching them step off our coach as Commonwealth Games champions has been a genuine privilege for our whole team.
A Final That Had Everything
New Zealand led from the very first centre pass and never trailed, but it was far from comfortable. The Ferns held a tight 16 to 13 lead at the first quarter and were 28 to 25 up at half time. Jamaica then produced a fierce third-quarter comeback that briefly levelled the scores, sensing an upset. New Zealand responded with a decisive breakaway, going into the final quarter 41 to 36 ahead before pulling clear to seal the win.
Goal shooter Grace Nweke was outstanding under the post, converting 48 from 54 attempts against Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world. At the other end, captain Karin Burger and goalkeeper Kelly Jackson spent the match wrestling with veteran Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken-George, delivering the crucial defensive intercepts that blunted Jamaica’s attacking threat. Georgia Heffernan explained afterwards that the team’s approach was to play smart and deny Jamaica the momentum that had carried them so far in the tournament.
An Unbeaten Road to Gold
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the road the Silver Ferns took to get there. They went through the entire tournament unbeaten across seven matches, including a 61 to 54 semi-final win over England.
Jamaica’s route to the final was even more dramatic, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in netball history by knocking out world number one and reigning champions Australia 46 to 45 in the other semi-final, the first time the Diamonds have ever missed a Commonwealth Games gold medal match.
Proud to Have Played a Small Part
For the past two and a half weeks, our 19-seat midi coach has been part of the Silver Ferns’ daily routine in Glasgow, taking the squad to training, to their matches, and back to their accommodation throughout the tournament. It has been a fantastic experience for our whole team to play a small part in supporting a squad performing at the very top of their sport, and to see that hard work rewarded with a gold medal is genuinely special.
This is exactly the kind of reliable, professional group transport we provide for teams, corporate groups, and organisations of every kind across Scotland. Whether it is a national sports team during a major tournament or a corporate group needing dependable transport day after day, our drivers and vehicles are built for consistency, professionalism, and getting the job done quietly and well.
A Personal Thank You from the Team
A few days ago, our driver John was handed a gift bag by the squad with a handwritten note tucked inside. It reads:
“John,
Thank you for your support around our daily transport and your willingness to go above and beyond. We appreciate you.
The NZ Silver Ferns”
Michael received his own note and gift bag too. His reads:
“Michael,
Thank you for your daily transport, kindness & great negotiating skills. We have been so lucky to have you.
The NZ Silver Ferns”
Moments like this are exactly why we do what we do. John and Michael, and every driver at Hire Society, takes real pride in looking after the people they drive, and to have that recognised so warmly by a gold medal-winning team means a great deal to all of us.
Here’s to More Gold Ahead
Congratulations again to the entire Silver Ferns squad and coaching staff on a phenomenal, unbeaten campaign. From everyone at Hire Society, thank you for letting us be part of your journey, and here’s to many more gold medals in future tournaments!
Comments are closed