Games: Taranaki quartet take centre stage as Games get underway

The Commonwealth Games are underway in Glasgow, with five athletes boasting Taranaki connections representing New Zealand across four sports.

Sprint star Zoe Hobbs, Silver Fern Kelly Jackson, para lawn bowler Kurt Smith and 3x3 basketball player Eva Langton will all compete at the Games, while fellow netballer Parris Mason has travelled with the Silver Ferns as the team's reserve.

Hobbs heads to Scotland as one of New Zealand's leading medal hopes after establishing herself as the country's fastest-ever woman over 100 metres. The Stratford product begins her campaign in the women's 100m later this week.

Jackson will again marshal the Silver Ferns' defence as New Zealand aims to reclaim Commonwealth Games gold. Mason, who earned selection as the travelling reserve following a standout ANZ Premiership season, remains with the squad throughout the tournament and can be called into the playing group if required.

Smith will contest the men's B6-B8 para pairs lawn bowls alongside Mark Noble, with the Blackjacks among the medal contenders.

Langton rounds out the Taranaki contingent after being named in the New Zealand women's 3x3 basketball team. The fast-paced format makes its Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, with New Zealand among the teams expected to challenge deep into the tournament.

Taranaki schedule

Zoe Hobbs – Athletics
Tuesday: Women's 100m heats
Wednesday: Women's 100m semifinals and final (if qualified)

Kelly Jackson – Netball
Pool matches: July 26-31
Semifinal: August 1
Medal matches: August 2

Kurt Smith – Para Lawn Bowls

Men's B6-B8 pairs section play begins Sunday.
Knockout rounds and medal matches follow later in the week.

Eva Langton – 3x3 Basketball
Pool matches: July 26-28 (vs Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Singapore, Jamaica and England)
Quarterfinals: July 28 (if qualified)
Semifinals: July 29 (if qualified)
Medal matches: July 29