“It brings a tear to my eye”: The bond behind Gangurrus’ historic gold

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow were an historic occasion for the Australian Gangurrus women's team, who claimed their first-ever gold medal.

This result tops their bronze medal the squad claimed the 2022 event in Birmingham.

Only one player remained from that medal-winning team - Marena Whittle.

But also remaining from that event four years ago is coach Damon Lowery, who is over the moon with what his 'Gang' achieved in Scotland.

"Proud is too small of a word to describe how I feel about this Gang, it is a love affair," Lowery said.

"I'm a relationship guy and if you can't form ever-lasting bonds for life with your players, then I don't want no part of it.

"It ain't just coach and player with me, rather being friends with a intimate relationship. We're tighter than seven beers in a six pack.

"Marena and I started together at the 2019 Puerto Rico World Cup qualifier and now we've spent more than 190 games together. We now just look at each other and know what's going on.

"Since then I've built similar relationships with my new Gangsters Amy [Atwell], Emma [Clarke] and Lara [McSpadden], as well as ones who weren't here with us in this tournament.

"We genuinely care about each other's well-being on and off the floor, and I couldn't be prouder and happier for them. I love the Gang Gang environment we've created."

This historic gold medal was won by defeating Uganda 21-11 in the Final, capping off a perfect 7-0 tournament for Lowery's side.

Making the achievement even more impressive is the fact the Gangurrus played without a substitute in the Final, with Clarke sidelined with an injury.

"We went into the gold medal as favourites and rightfully so, but we definitely had respect for our opponents," Lowery said.

"Then when Emma was ruled out, which I felt really bad about as I know how much of a competitor she is, I knew we were going to have to do something extra special.

"Winning any tournament is extremely hard, let alone with three players.

"We almost lost a World Cup bronze medal game in 2023 in Vienna to China who we had three players. [Thankfully] Marena hit a shot, pretty much on the buzzer, to beat them.

"But one thing about the Gangurrus is that when the things get tough and the chips are stacked against us, we get excited to [defy] the odds.

"The tougher, the better for us, as that's when your character reveals itself and we get an opportunity to redefine ourselves as savages.

"I remember saying in our huddle before the game that Uganda is standing between us and history and they're going to have to get out of the way.

"We would have been pissed off to walk away with the silver medal, and thankfully we didn't."

This gold medal is the icing on the cake for Lowery's Gangurrus, who are enjoyed a purple patch of form since that 2022 bronze medal.

During that four-year window, the Gangurrus have dominated numerous tournament including Asia Cup (gold), FIBA World Cup (silver and bronze) and numerous winning numerous World Series events.

Upon reflecting on the journey, Lowery is impressed with how the program has come and all they've achieved in such a small amount of time.

"The first ever gold medal for the Gangurrus means we've come a long way since my original Gangsters of Marena, Lauren Mansfield, Lauren Scherf and Ally Wilson," he said.

"Back then, we had the heart and talent, just not the experience in the 3x3 arena, so to win that 2022 bronze medal was euphoric.

"Fast forward and our Gangurrus have now earnt international respect, but we've gotten here by putting in the work.

"While we don't play as often as a lot of the European team do, we will fight [as hard as anyone].

"Now to be part of history, it brings a tear to my eye, as this group will forever be immortalised as the first to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.

"But we're not done and now we have more goals for our Gangurrus to achieve."

The Gangurrus women's squad in Glasgow consisted of Paris Olympian Whittle, two-time WNBL champion McSpadden, Townsville’s Emma Clarke and UC Capitals’ Amy Atwell.

Lowery's team weren't the only Gangurrus side to medal in Glasgow, with the men 's side, coached by Adam Forde and featuring Jesse Wagstaff, Sam McDaniel, Jarred Bairstow and Jonah Antonio, who took out the silver.