Friday 2 July 2010

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD




Two of IFNA’s top ranked Members yesterday submitted their bids to Host the World Netball Championships 2015. Australia and England submitted bids to host the event in Sydney and Manchester, respectively.

England last hosted the championships in 1995, while Australia last hosted them in 1991.

The championships involve the world’s top 16 international teams competing over a period of eight days and will next be held in Singapore in July 2011. Singapore will release further tickets for the event later this month. The 3 Day Gold Package will be released on Friday, 16 July at 10.00am (GMT+8). This is your chance to get your tickets to catch the finals in action over the last 3 days of competition. Log onto www.wnc2011.com for more information now.

Vanuatu Netball Association played a key part in the country’s first ever sports festival this week, with exhibition matches, plus coach and player training and development sessions organised for more than 250 attendees, many of whom were trying netball for the first time. (pictured above) Save the Children and the Vanuatu Department of Health used the event as an opportunity to promote womens health and social issues during the event, while more than 80 players took part in a netball festival organised in age groups from U12 upwards.

South Africa’s Proteas returned home this week after a successful overseas tour, which culminated in a two test win over Samoa. The Proteas won the second test 66-49, after a 54-46 victory in the first match, and also benefitted from two weeks of intensive training and coaching in New Zealand prior to the test matches.

The Asian Youth Netball Championship, a test event for the Commonwealth Games, will be held at the Thyagraj Sports Complex in Delhi from July 3 to 10. Six countries -- hosts India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand have confirmed their participation in the seventh edition of the championship, which will be used to test the capabilities of the complex and its staff ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Malaysia, winners of the past three Asian championships, are favourites for the competition.

The Guyana Netball Association has this week launched a new national U23 championship, to increase participation and competitive opportunities for players across the country. Although only five sides have entered the first competition, it is hoped that the opportunity that it presents will encourage more players to remain in the game after the U16 age group, and provide a transition to senior netball. The finals will be played on Monday 5 July.

Adelaide Thunderbirds shocked the previously undefeated Sydney Swifts in the major semi final of this year’s ANZ Championship, scoring an impressive 52-38 over the table toppers to secure their place in the Grand Final. In a bruising encounter, which saw Swifts captain Catherine Cox sidelined with a broken nose after an accidental collision, Thunderbirds’ defensive pressure was telling, with Geva Mentor, Mo’onia Gerrard and Sharni Layton closing down the space for the usually free-flowing Swifts attacking line.

The Sydney side now has to regroup ahead of this weekend’s preliminary final with the Waikato/BOP Magic, 50-42 victors over New Zealand rivals Southern Steel in the minor semi final. At stake, the second Grand Final spot. Veteran Magic GS Irene Van Dyk was once again in stellar form, netting 41 goals from 46 attempts and dominating the circle, while centre Laura Langman combined well with Jade Clarke and Frances Solia to control the midcourt at pace.

The CEO and Global Development Manager are heading to USA for the IFNA Board Meeting and a meeting with the Chairs of the Panels. Watch this space for an update on key decisions from the Board Meeting.

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