International Netball

Netball around the world

2012-02-24T08:17:00.003-08:00

In Oceania, 90 umpires took part in last week's umpire development clinic in Fiji, which was run by Netball Fiji's technical development team. Overwhelmed by the response, Netball Fiji will be running further umpire development clinics in the coming weeks, as well as coaching, umpiring and administration clinics around Viti Levu in a bid to revive the sport in the provinces.

Jamaica's Minister with Responsibility for Sports, Natalie Neita-Headley has given her assurance that the standard of facilities at the country's Leila Robinson Netball Centre will be improved to assist with the future development of the game. Her comments were made at the launch of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) divisions A and C netball leagues last week, and follow a call from JNA President Marva Barnard (Pictured) for government assistance in upgrading the facilities available to players. At the launch event, Supreme Ventures Ltd (SVL) presented a cheque for $J4.5 million (approx $52,000US) to Ms Barnard to mark the ninth year that the company has sponsored the leagues.

Competitive netball has returned to its birthplace – the YMCA in the USA. The Flatbush-YMCA located in Brooklyn, New York has linked up with the New York State Netball Association (NYSNA) to organise a winter league that now has ten participating teams. Matches are now being played regularly at weekends with players in a wide range of age categories, from U16 to over 40. NYSNA is hoping that this Winter League will now run annually and that other YMCA facilities nationwide will follow. For more information about netball in New York call toll free (855)697-6212 (855-NYSNA12).

In the UK reigning Fiat Netball Superleague champions Mavericks held off a spirited challenge from former titleholders TeamBath to take a 51-49 victory in the latest round of the competition and moved into third place in the league. Meanwhile, at the top of the table, Northern Thunder defeated title-rivals Surrey Storm 67-48 to secure their place in the top four of the table for the second phase of the season.

With the official pre-season tournament starting next Friday, preparations for the 2012 ANZ Championship are almost complete. Former Tactix midcourter Phillipa Finch has been added to the Southern Steel as replacement for Wendy Frew, who withdrew from the side after announcing her pregnancy, while former Silver Fern Jodi Brown has been announced as the side's captain. Across the Tasman, the Sydney Swifts have named Kimberlee Green and Mo'onia Gerrard as co-captains for the 2012 season, with Susan Pratley as their vice captain.

Meanwhile in Africa, Tanzania's netball association, CHANETA, has announced a three day seminar in March to introduce IFNA's latest rule changes to coaches and umpires. Attendees are expected from across the country, as well as delegates from Swaziland and Uganda and other African nations.

Netball around the world

2012-02-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

In Pakistan, Army defeated Punjab 19-14 to win the 10th National Women’s Netball Championship crown this week. IOC member in Pakistan and Punjab Olympic Association President Syed Shahid Ali graced the occasion as a chief guest and is pictured with the winning team at the prize presentation ceremony. At the conclusion of the competition, it was announced that 20 girls from the championships have been selected for the Pakistan squad which will play a five match home test series against India next month. A return series to India is also planned for later in the year.

The ANZ Championships will be without two key international stars this season, after it was announced that former Australian captain Sharelle McMahon and Kiwi international Wendy Frew will both miss the 2012 competition as they are pregnant. The two stars' teams, the Melbourne Vixens and the Southern Steel respectively have applied to the organisers of the league to name replacement players for the pair.

South African captain Amanda Myndhardt has confirmed that she will be travelling to New Zealand at the end of February with the aim of increasing her netball experience. Myndhardt, 26, aims to play for an amateur club and will return to South Africa at the end of July, unless she is selected for the National Provincial Championships, in which case she will delay her return until October.

Vanuatu Netball Association has revived its Duck Duck netball training programme for children aged 3-9, which will run for the next six weeks. During the sessions, the children are introduced to basic netball skills and drills, and are coached by members of the Vanuatu national squad.

In the USA, a link between the USA Netball Association and the largest after school programme in the country has made a successful start, with a pilot programme in North Carolina, led by coach Edna Cassells and members of the Florida Netball Association. Members of the after school Boys and Girls Club have been introduced to netball in a “taster” session, and have opted to include netball as part of the after school programme moving forwards, under the watchful eye of a local basketball coach. More after school initiatives to extend the outreach of netball are expected in the coming months.

In the latest rounds of the Fiat Netball Superleague in the UK, Celtic Dragons shocked reigning champions Mavericks to take a well deserved 48-39 victory. Grenada's Lottysha Cato was once again the Dragons' spearhead in attack, netting 30 of her side's goals and making life difficult for Mavericks' defensive line. However, the Hertfordshire side's backline will be strengthened for this week's match against Team Northumbria by the return of England international Naida Hutchinson, who has missed the past 22 months of action with a serious knee injury. In the week's other matches, Surrey Storm were too strong for former champions TeamBath, taking a 65-52 win in their encounter: Northern Thunder moved to the top of the table, equal on points with Storm, thanks to a 66-34 win at Loughborough Lightning.

Netball around the world

2012-02-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

South Africa's netballers have added a new expert to their support staff who they believe will enable them to move further up the world rankings. Sherylle Calder, a world-renowned specialist in visual performance skills and their effect on improved sporting performance, has previously worked with the World Cup winning England and South African rugby teams in 2003 and 2007. Her EyeGym visual skills development programme enhances the capacity of players to assess information about performance during play and South African coach Elize Kotze is confident that this will enable her players to move up into the world's top four in the coming months.

Import players look set to make a major impact on the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague this season. Namibia's Toetsie Kambatuku was in sparkling form for Team Northumbria as they held off the challenge of Celtic Dragons 55-52, despite excellent shooting from the Welsh side's towering Grenadan shooter Lottysha Cato. Australian shooter Janelle Lawson helped Northern Thunder to a 55-45 victory over former champions Team Bath with 35 of her side's goals, to take the North-West-based franchise top of the table, level on points with Surrey Storm, who beat Loughborough Lightning 66-38.

Tanzania's Amateur Netball Association (CHANETA) has announced early planning ahead of the Africa Senior Challenge tournament, to be hosted in the country in May. The Association is aiming for the country's “long squad” of 30 players to move into a three week residential camp on 20 February, after which numbers will be reduced to 20. This group will then undergo intensive training until three weeks before the tournament, at which point the 14 to represent Tanzania at the competition – which features teams from 16 African nations – will be selected. CHANETA is also seeking coaching support from neighbouring countries to ensure that its players are the best prepared they can be for the tournament.

Preparations continue in Fiji for this summer's Pacific Netball Series (PNS) with the announcement of an umpires coaching clinic on 18 February, which will be held in conjunction with bench officials training. All umpires from districts in Fiji, together with interested teachers, secondary school students and umpires have been invited to the day-long session, which aims to increase the number of accredited officials across the country and thus provide opportunities for Fijian officials to take part in the PNS.

The Cayman Islands 2012 Netball League is now under way and has already seen a major shock, with National Bank All Stars B overcoming defending champions Roma A 37-35 in a
thrilling match this week. Meanwhile, in the Gulf, Rugby Club 'A' laid down a marker for their competitors in the opening round of the DHL Bahrain Netball Cup at the British Club in Umm Al Hassam. The Rugby Club side followed up their impressive 31-13 league win over close rivals British Club 'A' with a 64-6 victory over the luckless Sri Lankan Club.
Elsewhere, there were also wins for Dilmun Champion 'A', British Club 'A' and Dilmun Champion 'B', who all advance to the cup semi-finals.

Australian Diamond Sharelle McMahon pictured below returned to competitive action this week, after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury which kept her out of the Netball World Championships in Singapore. McMahon took to the court for Melbourne Vixens in a pre-season match against Victorian Netball League team Boroondara Genesis, and moved freely before being replaced at half time.

IFNA Seeks Chief Executive Officer

2012-01-31T05:50:00.000-08:00

Job Title

Chief Executive Officer

Organisation

International Netball Federation Limited

Salary
Circa £50,000 commensurate with experience

Location

Manchester, UK

Type of Contract

Maternity Cover to commence April 2012 at the latest.

Job Description
The International Netball Federation, the world governing body for the sport, located in Manchester, England, is seeking to recruit a Chief Executive Officer.

The incumbent will report to the President and Board of Directors and will be responsible for providing strategic direction as well as directing the policy, operations and development of the Federation for the achievement of both long and short term global objectives of the sport of Netball.

In addition, they will be expected to provide general and specific direction for the day-to-day management of the Federation through but not limited to fiscal management, human resource management, marketing and public relations and administrative management.

The successful candidate should exhibit strong management, leadership, strategic thinking and communication skills with a sound record of project management and achieving results.

The candidate should possess a Degree or Diploma in Business Management or Sports Management and Marketing with the following experience:

o At least five years experience in senior management roles, including at Board level, with direct line responsibility, ideally within the recreational/ sports industries

o Demonstrated experience in coordinating events, and liaison with national and/or international organisations, sponsors and Government bodies

Full job description and person specification on the IFNA website – www.netball.org

How to apply

Send CV to ifna@netball.org or by post:

IFNA Secretariat
Albion Wharf
19 Albion Street
Manchester
M1 5LN
Tel: +44 (0)161 234 6515
Fax: +44 (0)161 234 6516

Closing Date
17th February 2012

Interview Date

TBC

Netball around the world

2012-01-27T07:52:00.000-08:00

Australian international Mo'onia Gerrard has signed an agreement to become a Gilbert brand ambassador. Gerrard (pictured below) an international for more than ten years with two World Championships gold medals and a Commonwealth Games silver medal, is currently working with Gilbert on her design for a new netball, and joins current Gilbert ambassadors Sharelle McMahon and Irene van Dyk. Gilbert is currently IFNA’s official ball supplier.

The Jamaica Netball Association has overhauled its entire training structure for its national sides, in a bid to improve the performances of all the teams. Former national coach Maureen Hall, the national high performance director, has revised the training schedules for the Sunshine Girls, U21, U17 and U13 national squads, to include specialist skills training as well as improved conditioning sessions. The changes aim to improve player transition between squads, as well as increase base skills levels across all the age groups.

Mwayi Kumwende, Malawi's first professional netballer, has been delayed from returning to Australia to meet up with her Penninsula Waves club colleagues by visa complications. Kumwende, who had an outstanding first season Down Under, had hoped to join the club's pre-season training programme in mid-January, but the Malawian international has been delayed by official red tape and has been forced to start her season's preparations back home.

Two other Malawian netballers – Joyce Mvula and Beauty Chirwa – are still expected to take part in the Tanzanian National Championships as part of the Filbert Bayi side, once parental approval has been received by Netball Association of Malawi to issue clearances to play. However, another Malawian, Takonda Lwazi, has declined the invitation to take part in the competition as she has accepted a post by the Malawi police.

Preparations for the 2012 ANZ Championships are now well under way, with all ten teams confirmed for the official pre-season tournament to take place in Tauranga, New Zealand from 1-4 March. This is the first time that the full ANZ line up will take part in the pre-season competition. Meanwhile, the Canterbury Tactix have confirmed that they will host their own pre-season tournament on 11 and 12 February, featuring the Southern Steel as well as the Tactix Accelerant squad, Canterbury men's team and club side Eastwood Ryde from New South Wales.

The UK's Fiat Netball Superleague got under way this week with a repeat of last season's Grand Final between Surrey Storm and Hertfordshire Mavericks. With several leading names missing from the Mavericks line up for the 2012 season, this time the honours went to Storm, 62-47. Northern Thunder impressed in a 57-36 win over Yorkshire Jets, while Celtic Dragons overcame former champions TeamBath 61-49. In the final match of the first round, Loughborough Lightning withstood a spirited challenge from Team Northumbria to take the win 49-44.

Netball New Zealand has signed a three year agreement with Canterbury of New Zealand to provide all match and training gear to the Silver Ferns as well as to all the Netball New Zealand national squads and umpires. Canterbury, supplier to the SilverFerns from the mid-90s until 2006, replaces Adidas as the association's kit provider. The Silver Ferns' new competition dress will be unveiled in October.

Finally Trinidad and Tobago Netball Association concludes a talent identification programme this weekend, after scouring the national competitions for players in the U16 and U21 age groups as well as for the senior squad. As part of the process, they will visit the Guapo Point of Port Fontin tournament, a new competition which has been introduced to reintroduce netball to south Trinidad – more than ten teams have registered to take part.

Netball around the world

2012-01-20T02:11:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Hong Kong, who registered two wins from two games to emerge champions at a tri-nations competition against neighbours Chinese Taipei and Thailand this week. The competition was designed to provide increased competitive exposure for teams from the region, as part of their preparations for the Asian Championships which will be held in August. Chinese Taipei also played a young Hong Kong side, and registered their first international victory with a 46-38 win. The Hong Kong Netball Association is confident that the tournament will become an annual event and will use it to develop players and officials in the future.

Inspirational Silver Ferns captain, Casey Williams, returns to action with the New Zealand squad for the first time in six months this weekend, after recovering from major ankle surgery which she underwent last September. The star defender, who went under the surgeon's knife to repair damage sustained by years playing at the top level, will join the international squad for the first of two training camps, where they will be joined by members of New Zealand's accelerant group.

The president of the Uganda Netball Association, Susan Ongom, will be seeking a second term as president at elections to be held by the Uganda Netball Federation in the coming weeks.

The Antigua Netball Association Inter-Schools competition got under way this week, with 21 schools taking part at U18, U16 and U13 level. Princess Margaret Secondary School is the reigning U16 champions, while Pares Secondary School holds the U18 crown. Meanwhile, Care Hall Secondary School will be defending its U13 championships.

The Jamaica Netball Association has announced its plans to boost the performances of its international teams during the coming season, with the senior Sunshine Girls scheduled to meet South Africa in a test series later this year, as well as taking part in the Caribbean tournament in July. Meanwhile the young Sunshine Girls will host an Australian U21 touring squad during the summer, as well as honouring a reciprocal arrangement made with a team that travelled to the island from the UK last year.

Netball continues to increase in popularity in Pakistan, with increased competitive opportunities for players of all age groups. This week, the Frontier College for Women upset Government Girls College Nowshera by 13-12 goals in the final of the Inter-College Women Netball Championship played under the aegis of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Women University. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Netball Federation has confirmed it will be organising the ASC Netball Coaching, Development & Tournament Program 2012 for Girls in Karachi this weekend, in collaboration with Australian Sports Commission (ASC) & Sindh Netball Association. More than 100 schools, colleges and universities have been invited to take part in the programme, which will provide coaching and umpiring advice as well as fitness and general netball skills training for participants.

In the UK, Northern Thunder won the Fast Net Grand Prix pre-season tournament, beating Yorkshire Jets 35-21 in the final. The event saw the top two teams from both the northern and southern conferences compete in a one off finals weekend, from which Thunder emerged victorious. They defeated hosts Surrey Storm 27-21 to progress to the final, while the Jets defeated Celtic Dragons and Storm to join them in the play off.

Hosts the Glasgow Wildcats held off competition from across the British Isles to take the title at the inaugural British Invitational tournament last weekend. The tournament was created with financial assistance from Glasgow City Council to help develop a squad of elite players that will represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Glasgow Wildcats were undefeated across the weekend, registering wins over a Northern Ireland select squad, the England U21 squad and Premier Force, a side featuring some of the best players from the south of England.

Finally this week, Welsh Netball has launched a new website to support its franchise in the UK's Netball Superleague. Www.celticdragonsnetball.com will provide regular updates and information on the squad's progress, and Welsh Netball is confident that the increased visibility that it brings will assist in the association's quest for sponsorship support in the coming season.

Netball around the world

2012-01-13T02:12:00.000-08:00

In a first for Malawian netball, legendary attacker Mary Waya, this week launched her autobiography – the first book of its kind published in the African nation. “Mary Waya: Netball Queen” looks at her life and achievements and is hoped to inspire a future generation of Queens players. In her 40’s now, Mary still plays netball for local team MTL Queens but has retired from international netball.

Mary pictured in action at World Netball Championships 2007.

Namibian netball continues to flourish with the announcement that two of its national squad members, Anna Kasper and Delia Keja, have been invited to take part in the Singapore SuperLeague, which starts in February. The pair, who impressed scouts during last month's Six Nations Tournament, are confirming terms of their contracts at present, and join their international captain, Toetsi Kambatuku as import players in domestic competitions – Kambatuku will line up for Team Northumbria once more in this season's UK Netball Superleague.

The news comes as the All Namibia Netball Association this week announced a programme of 13 netball “safaris” across the country to unearth potential new international talent, primarily at U21 level. The Association also plans to establish regional U21 league competitions to improve playing standards and increase competitive opportunities across the country.

Netballers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and England will converge on Glasgow this weekend for the inaugural British Invitational Championships. Host side the Glasgow Wildcats will face the Northern Panthers from Northern Ireland, the England U21 side and an invitational side from England, Northern Premier Force in a three day competition which is the start of Scottish Netball's build up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Panthers side includes former international sprinter Anna Boyle, a 60m and 100m Irish record holder, who returned to netball in 2011 after hanging up her running spikes.

In England, the Cathedral City Lighter FastNet Grand Prix reaches its finals this weekend, with four teams competing for the opening prize of the Netball Superleague season. Northern Thunder and Yorkshire Jets qualified for the finals from the Northern Conference while Surrey Storm and Celtic Dragons finished top of the table in the Southern competition. The four will now meet this evening (13 January 2012) to decide who takes the title.

Welsh Netball has signed an agreement with Samurai Sportswear which will become official kit suppliers to the Welsh national squads for the next four years. The high performance kit, which will feature the latest in fabric technology, will be the first international strips produced by the sportswear manufacturer.

Teams in the ANZ Championships are now entering a period of pre-season training, with only one uncertainty remaining over the squad line ups. The Adelaide Thunderbirds have yet to confirm whether Jamaican international Carla Borrego has been granted Australian residency, in which case another Sunshine Girl, towering shooter Jhanele Fowler will take the Thunderbirds' import spot. If Borrego's application is denied, Fowler's place in the team will be taken by a local South Australian player.

The USA Netball Association has announced that the 2012 National Netball Championships will take place in Delray Beach, Florida on 23 and 24 June 2012. The competition, which will be played at the Atlantic Community High School, will be organised in conjunction with the Florida Netball Association. For more information, please visit www.usanetball.org.

Finally, Fiji's selectors will, this weekend, name a training squad of 40 U21 players to start preparations for the 2013 World Youth Championships, after two days of trials. More than 100 players from across the country were identified during the 2011 U21 and Secondary Schools championships to take part in the trials. The selected squad will be coached by Moape Vu and managed by former South Pacific weightlifting gold medallist Della Shaw.

Netball around the world

2012-01-06T05:16:00.000-08:00

After the recent Nations Cup in Singapore, and several international Test matches, there have been some changes to the IFNA International Rankings table. After their victories in all three matches against Scotland, Wales move up to 11th place, ahead of Northern Ireland which now sits in 12th position. Singapore moves up two to 19th, while Sri Lanka drops two places to 20th. Malaysia steps up to 22nd in the world from 23rd, while Tanzania and Canada both move down one position. For the full rankings table, and how it is calculated, visit the Rankings section of the IFNA website.

Vanuatu's netballers have increased their international experience in recent weeks: following the visit from Aztecs earlier this year, two Vanuatu teams, supported by sponsorship from Westpac and travelled to Tasmania where they played a number of matches, including fixtures against Latrobe High School, where many of the Aztecs players study. In addition, Vanuatu fielded teams at the 14th Golden Oldies Netball Festival in Fiji, with several new players taking to the court for their country. In domestic competition, Port Vila emerged victorious at the National Netball Series for 2011, with an undefeated record over three days of competition, and will host the Series in 2012.

In Pakistan, the Punjab Netball Association has announced that it will be staging the 10th National Women’s Netball Championships at the LUMS University, Lahore from 6-9 February in association with the Pakistan Netball Federation. 14 teams have confirmed their participation for the competition, including defending champions, Sindh. The top five ranked sides will qualify for the 32nd National Games, to be played in Lahore in October/November.

New Zealand's Netball Southland has appointed an Australian rugby league official as its new chief executive. Queenslander David Bannister will also take on the chief executive's position for the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championships, replacing Julie Paterson who is transferring to the Mystics franchise. Bannister has been the education and development manager for Queensland Rugby League for the past two years and previously spent nine years with Queensland Cricket in both management and development roles.

Leading Tanzanian club side Filbert Bayi (named after its owner, Olympic Silver Medallist, Filbert Bayi) has announced plans to sign several Malawian players on loan for the forthcoming season to help to improve playing standards and increase netball's participation in the region. This continues the partnership started in 2011, when legendary Malawian attacking star Mary Waya and emerging centre courter Takondwa Lwazi joined Filbert Bayi for the Tanzanian National Championships, while Waya also conducted a number of coaching courses across the country.

Finally, another Malawian, international shooter Mwayi Kumwende (pictured below in action against Australia at last year's World Netball Championships) returns to Australia this week to take up her second eight month contract with Victoria Netball League (VNL) club side Peninsula Waves, as part of an agreement which is renewable for three years. 22 year old Kumwenda had a very successful first season at Waves, taking her side's player of the season award as well as achieving selection to the VNL All Star team.

Netball around the world

2012-01-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

In the UK, leading dairy supplier Dairy Crest is to sponsor two netball events in the coming year to build awareness of its brands among netballers. The Cathedral City Mature Lighter Cheddar Fast Net Grand Prix will take place in January, featuring all eight franchises from the Netball Superleague, playing in Northern and Southern conference competitions. The winners from each region will qualify for the competition finals, which will take place at the Surrey Sports Park on 13 January 2012. The brand will also be the official dairy sponsor for the Netball Superleague in 2012 and 2013.

Meanwhile, England's Netball Talent League – featuring players aged 14-19 years old representing the eight Superleague franchises, plus the South and West Midlands regions – got under way with a two day festival involving all of the teams. After three matches, Northern Thunder's youth emerged undefeated to lead the table, while West Midlands Warriors, Yorkshire Jets, Mavericks Youth, Surrey Storm Youth and Team South all took two wins from three games.

Fiji coach Unaisi Rokoura is planning to use the skills her side learned at the World Netball Series in Liverpool last month to boost their performances in internationals during 2012.

Despite losing all their matches in their first appearance at the Fastnet competition, Rokoura has highlighted the improvements in decision making and concentration that the new format has given her players, as well as drawing attention to the importance of making the correct coaching moves at the right time. Rokoura is now putting these lessons into practice and, with her players, aims to use Fastnet more regularly in training sessions during 2012 to speed up her players' reactions to on-court situations.

In Africa, it has been confirmed that the National Netball Association of Swaziland (NNAS) will host the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations (COSANA) Games next year. The Swaziland Sports Council has promised financial assistance to NNAS to fund the competition, which provides competitive opportunities for nations across Southern Africa.

In the Solomon Islands, support from the Ministry of Home Affairs to Waikaru Trust Association of Santa Ana has ensured that the Santa Ana Festive tournament has been staged for the first time in more than 10 years. 17 teams from Santa Ana, as well as the adjacent island of Santa Catalina and Star Harbour are currently battling it out for the championships, as well as a generous cash prize. It is hoped that the reinstatement of this tournament will revive interest in netball across Santa Ana as well as the neighbouring islands, as there have been few competitive opportunities available to young players in recent years.

Christmas held an extra-special surprise for one Bermudan netballer this week, when the Bermuda Netball Association (BNA) presented former Clearwater Middle School head girl Asante Chapman with a $1,000 cheque. The money was given in recognition of the progress the 14 year old netballer has made in the UK since being accepted into the Elite Surrey Netball Academy in the UK, where Chapman is currently studying. Since she plays regularly in “lucky” colourful socks, the BNA asked Chapman's local association players to arrive for the last game before Christmas in long multi-colour socks as a surprise for her! Asante is pictured receiving her cheque from the BNA President, Tracey Sheriff and Minister of Youth Affairs and Families, Glen Blackney.

Finally this week, on behalf of everyone at IFNA, we would like to wish all our Members, supporters and friends a very happy and successful 2012!

Netball around the World

2011-12-22T03:23:00.000-08:00

England's U17 squad for the 2012 Netball Europe championships will be without one of its star performers from the past couple of seasons, after it was announced that 16 year old Lottie Richardson has secured a contract to play in Australia in the New Year. Recommended by former England coach Sue Hawkins, Richardson has signed with current state champions Manly Warringah to play in their first team for the 2012 season and will be combining her netballing career with studying for her A levels, returning to her home in Truro, Cornwall several times each year.

In Richardson's absence, England's selectors have this week announced their U17, U19 and U21 squads to contest the 2012 Netball Europe championships. Sophia Candappa and Rachel Shaw, who debuted in the senior England squad during 2011, have been named in the U21 side which will travel to Northern Ireland with the U19 squad, while the U17 competition takes place in Scotland. The full squad lists are available at www.englandnetball.co.uk.

Another name familiar to England netball fans is also travelling to the Southern Hemisphere to take up a new role for 2012. Andrew Crook, until recently the general manager of the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague, has been appointed as general manager for the ANZ Championships and will take up his position in February. A former South Australian cricketer, Crook will be based at the ANZ Championships offices in Melbourne and Auckland.

The Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZNA) has invited four of its strongest club sides to take part in the Chama cha Revolution Netball Cup in Zanzibar from 6-12 January 2012. The sides, which finished in the top four positions in Zimbabwe's national league, have been invited to attend after funding to send the country's national team to the competition could not be allocated. Reigning national champions Railstars, runners up Nehanda Nyakasikana, Zimbawe Defence Forces and Tenax are expected to confirm their participation this week.

Jamaica's Manchester Netball Association (MNA) completed its first competition since being reorganised in May, by co-ordinating a rally for four local sides this week. Legendary, one of the oldest clubs in the region, emerged unbeaten throughout the day, and scooped the top prize of J$25,000 (approx $290US) as well as medals and playing equipment.

Fiji's selectors have invited almost 200 players to trials for the country's U21 squad, which will take place early in the New Year. As part of the selection process, the players will undergo rigorous fitness testing as the Fijian side looks towards the 2013 World Youth Championships.

Netball Around the World

2011-12-16T06:24:00.000-08:00

Fiji's netballers created history this week by winning the country's first FairPrice Foundation Nations Cup title in Singapore. Young shooter Unaisi Kubunameca Rauluni was named player of the tournament.

The Unaisi Rokoura-coached side defeated hosts Singapore 51-42 in the grand final, to end their bid to take a third title at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall, after the home side took the title in 2006 and 2007. Despite leading 14-11 at the first interval, Singapore found it hard to contend with Fiji's short, sharp passing game, and with a number of new internationals on court to gain international experience ahead of the World Youth Netball Championships in 2013, the Pacific side re-grouped to take the lead 28-18 at half time. The home team fought back in the third quarter, inspired by some dogged defensive work by veteran Charlene Porimah, they managed to close the gap to seven goals, but Fiji was not to be denied the title, and refocused in the final period to close out the game.

Photograph shows Fiji's winning team from the recent Nations Cup competition in Singapore.

World number 23 Malaysia edged out Namibia, currently ranked 24 in the world 52-47 to take third place, while the fifth and sixth place play off saw a thrilling goal-fest from which Sri Lanka, ranked 18, edged out Papua New Guinea, currently 17, 73-71.

Wales sealed a 3-0 series win over close rivals Scotland this week with a 36-22 victory in the final game of the series. Wales took the first two matches between the two European nations 39-33 and 48-26.

As a pre-cursor to the 2012 ANZ Championships season, Melbourne Vixens have announced that the side will play its final pre-season match against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Bendigo – the first time national league teams have played in regional Victoria. The match, to be held at the end of March, will be the main attraction of a three day event which aims to promote netball across the area while showcasing Bendigo as a possible home base for a state league netball side. Meanwhile, with one eye on the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships, Australia coach, Lisa Alexander, has been leading an 18 day camp for the country's extended U21 squad of 25 players at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The 2011-12 Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open league competition is now under way, with former champions Tivoli Gardens A setting the pace with a 31-20 win over UWI Pelicans. Tivoli Gardens, featuring a host of current and former internationals in its line up, last won the competition in 2009.

In England, ten young netballers aged 15-17 have been selected to take part in the seventh National Talent Camp run by the Youth Sports Trust, which takes place next week in Loughborough. While at the camp, the players will join nearly 100 aspiring Olympians and Paralympians and gain a unique insight into the world of performance sport and the challenges which lie ahead for them.

Finally, following England's success at the recent World Netball Series in Liverpool, England Netball has announced that the eight teams in the Fiat Netball SuperLeague will compete in the country's first Cathedral City Lighter Fastnet Grand Prix, as a warm up for the 2012 SuperLeague season. Played over two weekends in January 2012, the competition will group the sides into Northern and Southern conferences, before the winners face off in the Grand Final on Friday 13 January 2012. For more information, including ticket details, please visit www.englandnetball.co.uk.

Photograph shows Fiji's winning team from the recent Nations Cup competition in Singapore.

Netball Around the World

2011-12-09T02:14:00.000-08:00

Pre-tournament favourites Fiji are currently at the top of the table in the Netball Nations Cup, being played in Singapore this week, with one round of matches remaining ahead of the finals series. The Fijians, fresh from their first appearance at the World Netball Series in the UK last weekend, have been in dominant form throughout the tournament, and brushed past Singapore – who came within one goal of defeating the Pacific Islanders at this summer's World Championships – 47-35 in the group stages. The two look set to meet again in Sunday's grand final.

Elsewhere in the competition, with ranking points at stake, several upsets have taken place. The home nation avenged their loss to Sri Lanka at this summer's Asian Championships with a comprehensive 73-36 win over the team ranked three places ahead of them, before defeating Papua New Guinea 54-36 and Namibia 53-43. Meanwhile, 23rd-ranked Malaysia defeated 17th-ranked Papua New Guinea 53-51 in a thrilling group encounter.

Photo shows team captains and coaches at the start of the tournament.

In domestic competitions, Malawi's OG Issa Southern Region Netball Championships have been won by Escom Sisters for the third year in a row, after a final 43-40 victory over Bingu Tigresses. Escom's Australia-based shooter, Mwayi Kumwende, provided the inspiration for her side's victory and despite pegging back Escom's lead to a single goal at three quarter time, the Tigresses could find no way to combat Kumwende's accuracy and speed of movement.

Future Sunshine girls were on show this week as Manchester High and Holmwood Technical Schools scooped Jamaica's ISSA/Digicel All-Island Junior and Senior leagues high schoolgirl titles, defeating St Hugh's High and St Andrew High respectively at the competitions' finals. The wins ensured that both sides completed their seasons undefeated.

Netball New Zealand is also looking to the future this week, by naming the 26 players selected as triallists for the 2012 New Zealand Secondary Schools squad. The trials are to be held in Auckland from 13-15 April 2012, after which 12 players will be chosen to represent their country at the Trans-Tasman Secondary Schools tournament, to be held in Adelaide at the end of May. For further information, please visit www.mynetball.co.nz

Netballers in the Solomon Islands are preparing for the annual West Are' Are Cup “Unity Through Sports” tournament, which will take place from 15-24 December. 15 teams have entered the competition which will take a round-robin format and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.

Australian awareness of netball received a welcome boost this week with the announcement that Adelaide Thunderbirds and Australia captain Natalie von Bertouch has been included in the latest edition of “Who's Who?” Von Bertouch, currently recovering from foot surgery after an injury forced her to miss the Constellation Cup this autumn, is named alongside a host of other sporting superstars, including Australian cricket star Shane Watson and round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson.

Finally, netball continues to enjoy a boost in popularity in the Gulf states, with the Kuwait Netball Association announcing that it now has 150 members at adult and junior level. The 2011 Inter- Gulf Tournament will be held in Al-Ain on the 8th, 9th and 10th of March 2012 and Kuwait will send a ladies' and mens' team to the competition. For more information, please visit www.kuwaitnetball.com.

IFNA AND AFRICA NETBALL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFRICA COACHING & OFFICIATING FRAMEWORK FOR NETBALL

2011-12-08T03:07:00.000-08:00

A team of experts from the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) and IFNA Regional Federation, Africa Netball, arrive in Botswana today for the Inaugural Africa Coaching & Officiating Framework Seminar.

The Seminar is the start of a move to develop and implement a plan to raise the standard of netball across the Region, allowing the Region’s national teams to compete on the world stage.

IFNA Global Development Manager, Sarah Pickford said:
“Netballers in Africa clearly have the potential to take on and beat the best in the world on the netball court.”
In order to do this there is a need to develop increasingly effective coaching, officiating, governance and administration practices to support strong player pathways and competition structures.
This integrated approach is highlighted in IFNA’s new Strategy, Game Plan 2012-2016, launched in July 2011. The continued backing of UK Sport and the Commonwealth Games Federation has enabled IFNA to work with colleagues to explore how this can best be applied to benefit the Africa Region.
IFNA is excited to be able to assist Africa Netball and IFNA Members in working to raise standards of provision for netball, and looks forward to seeing African teams progressing up the world rankings, to compete at the highest level for years to come.”

Member Federations involved in the Seminar include:
• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Namibia
• Swaziland
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe

Delegates, with expertise in coaching and officiating, will not only benefit from the knowledge and experience of the IFNA team but will also play their part in planning the way forward for netball in Africa.
All delegates will then return to their counties and work with colleagues to develop structures that will allow their national teams to perform at the highest level. IFNA and Africa Netball will continue to support this process through Africa Regional Development Manager, Joan Smit.

The work here will link in with and complement the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI Sport Education & Accreditation Framework (SEAF) and IFNA will be liaising closely with SEAS Project Officer, Mr Petros Munashe Mrape, to ensure the two projects link together.
Further work will be undertaken at the Africa Netball AGM in May 2012.

IFNA Board Member and Africa Netball President, Tebogo Lebotse said:
“Africa Netball presents great potential to grow the game of netball internationally. There is untapped talent and this workshop is a step in the right direction for Africa Netball to have a standard of how to tap in on that potential.”’

IFNA Africa Regional Development Manager Joan Smit stated:
“This is indeed a long-awaited opportunity for our netball coaches and officials in Africa. Most of the participants who will be in Gaborone attended the International Coaching Seminar that was held alongside the World Netball Championships in Singapore in July and they look forward to building further on the knowledge obtained. We are very excited that Africa will be the first continent to embark on such a project and I am confident about the success and sustainability of this project.”

Netball Around the World

2011-12-02T04:22:00.000-08:00

England's Fast Net squad took the 2011 World Netball Series title with a defeat of holders New Zealand 33-26 in the final, to reverse the result of last year's concluding game. England's win was founded on superb defensive displays by Eboni Beckford Chambers and Stacey Francis and strong all-court pressure which forced the opposition into errors, together with controlled attacking work during the power play quarter, which allowed the home side to stretch ahead. Having finished the group stages undefeated but losing 27-17 to England in the semi-final, Australia took third place with a 32-24 win over Jamaica. South Africa ended the competition in fifth place, having defeated competition debutantes Fiji 24-19 in the last play off.

The 2012 World Netball Series will be held in New Zealand: IFNA announced this week that the three day competition will be played at the Vector Arena in Auckland from 9-11 November 2012. The top six ranked teams in the world will once again take part in the tournament, played under the amended Fast Net rules.

More success for England - Congratulations to Anita Navin - The UK Coaching Awards 2011 honour sports coaches and coaching organisations who have demonstrated outstanding success over the previous 12 months. Anita won the Coach Educator of the Year Award last night this Award was supported by Coachwise. Her work around UKCC, continuous professional development and coach research have been key to ensuring netball has appropriately skilled coaches at all levels and environments.

Picture shows Anita being presented her award by Hugh Robertson MP Minister for Sport and the Olympics.

Following England's victory at the World Netball Series, England Netball has announced the appointment of Anna Mayes as the country's new Head Coach. Mayes, a former Welsh international and TeamBath player in the Netball SuperLeague, was previously assistant coach to Sue Hawkins. Maggie Jackson, who coached Mavericks to the Fiat Netball SuperLeague title in 2011, has been named as head of elite coach development.

The eyes of the netballing world now turn to Singapore, which hosts the Nations Cup next weekend. Namibia's netballers leave their country today to travel to Asia and start preparations for the competition and the other participants – Fiji, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka – are expected to arrive shortly. The competition starts on Monday (5 December), with Namibia opening its account against Papua New Guinea. Organisers, Netball Singapore, have announced that the competition will be televised, with coverage secured worldwide through StarHub, Setanta Sports, Astro Arena, One World Sports and Eurosport:
check local listings for timings, and visit http://www.netball.org.sg/competitions/fairprice-foundation-nations-cup-2011 for more information.

IFNA's technical delegate Joan Mills and CEO of Netball Scotland Maggie Murray have completed a visit to Glasgow this week to assess progress in preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. During the trip, which included travelling to the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre SECC (where preliminary rounds of the netball competition will be played) and the site of the Scottish National Arena (which will host the medal rounds), the pair was impressed with the progress that has been made in construction and completion of the venues and both are confident that the games will be “fantastic”.

Netballers on New Zealand's South Island received a welcome boost this week with the news that the new Stadium Southland now has a new 60m, 50 tonne roof truss in place, which will ensure that the roof can be completed rapidly. The reconstruction of the Southland complex, home to the Southern Steel as well as key local and regional competitions, was required after a heavy snowfall caused a roof collapse in September this year.

In Jamaica, one of the country's leading schools competition reaches its climax this weekend, with Anchovy High looking to claim its first-ever title when the squad faces Manchester High in the ISSA/Digicel Rural Area Schoolgirls junior league final later today. The senior league title will also be decided today with defending champions Denbigh facing former champions Holmwood, whose line up has been strengthened significantly by the return of shooter Deneen Taylor, who was on international duty with the Sunshine Girls at the World Netball Series in Liverpool.

Finally, it seems that international netballers never take a break from the game, even when on holiday! Veteran Australian international Catherine Cox took time out from a vacation in Fiji this week to provide some expert coaching for the University of South Pacific mens' team, which competes in the Suva Mens' and Mixed netball leagues. Cox, who is resting ahead of pre-season training with the West Coast Fever for the 2012 ANZ Championships season, took the players through a series of warm up exercises before introducing some international drills and plays which can be incorporated into their league activities moving forwards.

Netball Around the World

2011-11-25T02:14:00.000-08:00

The six competing teams are putting final touches to their preparations ahead of today's first games in the 2011 World Netball Series in Liverpool. World Champions Australia will be first on court against Jamaica, while home favourites England face competition debutantes Fiji in the second game of the day. New Zealand will be looking to take a third consecutive titles at this year's competition and open their challenge for the silverware against South Africa. Shooter Maria Tutaia has been photographed practising her “long shots” in training this week

For more information and to book tickets please visit www.worldnetballseries.com.

Fiji's preparations for the World Netball Series have not gone as smoothly as anticipated, after the world number 7 ranked side lost a warm up game to Scotland, ranked 14, 50- 23 earlier this week. The Thistles, who are preparing for a hotly anticipated home test series against close rivals Wales (ranked 12) in early December, were in scintillating form from the first whistle while the visitors found it hard to adjust to the colder conditions and playing style of the home team.

Elsewhere across the world, teams are also putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the Fair Price Foundation Nations Cup, which takes place in Singapore at the start of December. Without much international experience in recent years, world number 24 side Namibia has been training hard and aims to improve its ranking to 21 by the end of the tournament. Meanwhile, hosts Singapore have named a side packed with young talent from its U21 squad, which will be led by seasoned veteran Jean Ng (pictured centre) and will be using the competition as preparation for next year's Asian Cup, as well as avenging their loss to Fiji in July this year. The Nations Cup will be played from 5-11 December.

Netball New Zealand is considering a radical restructure for its domestic game to address concerns that money is being lost in overcomplicated administrative structures. The suggested plan would move from the current 12 region set-up to a five zone model, each aligned with an ANZ Championship franchise and with responsibility for grass roots competition, player development pathways and high performance delivery. Members will vote on the proposals at an Annual General Meeting in February, with a two thirds majority required for the changes to be adopted.

Former Australia coach Marg Caldow received the first Spirit of Netball Award at last weekend's Australian Netball Awards ceremony in recognition of her efforts in coaching the Diamonds to back to back World Championships titles. The honour recognises extraordinary achievements and sporting performances that have captured the hearts of Australian netballers, fans, and the general public, and form part of netball’s sporting history. Other award winners at the glittering ceremony included international defender Laura Geitz, who was named the recipient of the prestigious Liz Ellis Diamond award, Australian netball's top individual honour, and Sharon Kelly who was once again named umpire of the year. Two former Australian captains, Liz Ellis and Julie Francou, were inducted into Australian Netball's Hall of Fame during the ceremony. For the full list of winners, please visit www.netball.asn.au.

Netball around the world.

2011-11-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Fiji’s selectors have delayed the announcement of the country’s squad to compete at the upcoming World Netball Series in Liverpool. Meanwhile, in a bid to boost tourism to the country, Fiji is hosting the 14th Golden Oldies World Netball festival this week. Former Silver Fern and Fiji international, Vilimaina Davu, is the ambassador of the tournament which will feature teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu, as well as six sides from Fiji itself. The festival aims to encourage netballers from all over the globe to socialise together, and, it is anticipated, will boost visitor numbers to the country, which last hosted the event in 1996.

Picture shows Vilimaina Davu, Fiji’s ambassador for the Golden Oldies World Netball Festival, in action in the ANZ Championships for the LG Mystics

Singapore’s U21 squad is returning home this weekend after completing a gruelling tour of Wales and Northern Ireland in preparation for the FairPrice Foundation Nations Cup which will be played in December. During the ten day trip, Singapore emerged victorious in three matches against Northern Ireland’s U17, U21A and U21B teams, as well as defeating Wales U19s 43-39. However, Wales U21 side proved too strong for the Asian tourists, winning both matches between the two teams 49-34 and 46-40. Singapore’s squad to compete in the Nations Cup will be announced on 18 November.

Eight teams have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Uhuru Cup, which is to be played in Dar es Salaam at the end of this month. In addition to the domestic teams which have already registered for the tournament, which is being held to commemorate Tanzania’s 50 years of independence, the Tanzania Netball Association has issued invitations to teams from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to take part in the competition.

Across Africa, Botswana’s Spar Good For You Championships reaches the semi-final stage this weekend, with defending champions Tasc looking to take its four title in a row despite strong competition from BDF Cats, Notwane and UB Crystals, which complete the competition’s line up.

In the ANZ Championships, New Zealand’s Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic has startled many observers by naming Australian Netball League (ANL) player Khao Watts as its import for the 2012 season. Watts, who has played three seasons in the ANL was recommended to the Magic by their former Australian international import Peta Scholz, and was named in the 2012 line up after an eight hour trial against other Magic hopefuls.

Meanwhile, across the Tasman, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has named its scholarship holders for the 2012 programme. The holders will experience state of the art facilities and services in a programme designed by newly appointed AIS Head coach Julie Fitzgerald which aims to develop their skills as they work towards becoming the next generation of Australian Diamonds. Returning scholarship holder Alix McDermott has been named for the 2012 season, together with Kristina Brice, Courtney Bruce, Laura Clemesha, Paige Hadley, Lorna Marslen, Brooke Miller, Kimberley Ravaillion, Keeley Rodrigo, Amehlia Schmidt, Gabrielle Simpson and Amy Somerville: former AIS scholarship holders include Australian captain Natalie von Bertouch and vice captain Catherine Cox, who stood in as Diamonds captain for the recent test series against England and New Zealand.

Netball Around the World

2011-11-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Reigning World Champions Australia have added to their trophy cabinet this week by retaining the Constellation Cup against New Zealand with a thrilling 44-41 victory in the third and final test match between the two sides in Melbourne. The victory will also push Australia back to the top of the world rankings when they are revised at the end of the month. Inspired by a dynamic performance by mid-courter Madison Browne, Australia overturned an eight goal deficit to overcome their perennial rivals with sharpshooter Caitlin Bassett once again frustrating the Silver Ferns, scoring 20/22 in the second half as the Diamonds pushed on to take victory.

Picture show the Australian Diamonds with the Constellation Cup after victory in the third test in Melbourne

Netball’s popularity across Scandinavia continues to grow and this weekend sees a Swedish squad travel to Copenhagen to take part in an annual match between the two countries. Despite both teams taking part in a European tournament in Brussels in May, Sweden and Denmark did not face each other in that competition and so this weekend’s encounter will provide both sides with the chance to take “bragging rights” over their neighbours as awareness of and participation in netball continues to grow across the region.
Jamaica’s selectors have named three of the country’s U21 squad in its side to contest the Fast Net World Netball Series at the end of this month. Dhanyel Johnson, Deneen Taylor and Vangelee Williams have been promoted to the senior Sunshine Girls, while Tracy Ann Robinson and Vanessa Walker are included in the squad after missing the World Netball Championships in Singapore. Nadine Bryan will captain the Jamaican side, which also includes Jhanele Fowler, Jodhi Ann French, Anna-Kay Griffiths, Sasha-Gay Lynch, Malysha Kelly and Kimone Tulloch.
World Netball Series reigning champions, New Zealand, have named a strong team featuring eight Silver Ferns as they aim to make it three years in a row. Irene van Dyk, the world’s most capped netballer, will lead the side, while mid-courter Shannon Francois of the Southern Steel is named at international level for the first time. The full Silver Ferns squad for the Fast Net competition is: Irene van Dyk (capt), Kayla Cullen, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Cathrine Latu, Liana Leota, Anna Scarlett, Anna Thompson, Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Jess Tuki, Maria Tutaia.
2011 World Netball Series runners up England have named a squad of 15 players for the 2012 competition, which will be trimmed to 12 on 13 November. Northern Thunder’s Jade Clarke will lead the side, which also includes her Thunder teammate Sara Bayman, who returns to the squad after recovering from a serious knee injury. England’s long squad for the competition is: Jade Clarke, Sara Bayman, Eboni Beckford Chambers, Sophia Candappa, Pamela Cookey, Kadeen Corbin, Sasha Corbin, Emma Dovey, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Serena Guthrie, Jo Harten, Lindsay Keable, Laura Malcolm, Rachel Shaw.
With the line ups for the 2012 ANZ Championships now all but finalised, it has been announced that all ten teams will take part in a pre-season warm up tournament which will be played at Tauranga City’s new TECT Arena Baypark from 2-4 March 2012. The ANZ Championships season starts on 31 March 2012 with the finals to be contested in July.
America’s netballers will have increased competitive opportunities this winter with the announcement of a new three month-long competition to be played in Brooklyn, New York. Sponsorship has been secured which will enable the tournament to be played indoors, unaffected by the region’s severe weather conditions, and will feature both senior and junior teams from across one of the city’s largest and most diverse boroughs. For more information and to request an entry pack, please email pivotnetball@gmail.com .

Netball Around the World

2011-10-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

Netballing occasions do not get any bigger than encounters between the world’s top two, Australia and New Zealand, and the third test match up in Melbourne, which will decide the 2011 Constellation Cup between the two nations, is set to be a thrilling encounter. With the series tied at one game apiece from matches played earlier in the year, New Zealand took first blood at the resumption, taking the match in Perth by a single goal 49-48. However, the world champions regrouped and inspired by a strong shooting performance by stand-in captain Catherine Cox, overcame a spirited Kiwi fight back to level the series once more 51-44. The final game of the series, to decide the destination of the trophy for this year’s competition, takes place on Sunday. With only a few points in the IFNA World Rankings it is not just the trophy that is up for grabs.

(c) MB Photo - www.mbphoto.co.nz - Diamonds and Silver Ferns in action on the 26th October

There was a shock in the warm up match played ahead of the Perth test, when a young and relatively inexperienced South Africa team, ranked fifth in the world, lost 61-37 to the sixth-ranked Malawi Queens in a fixture to promote the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which was taking place at the same time. And in a further boost for Malawi netball, on the Queens’ return home, it was announced that the Malawi government has committed K500M (approx $3M US) to construct a new training and match facility for the side. Meanwhile, Mimi Mthethwa, has been re-elected as president of Netball South Africa, together with Blanche De La Guerre who retained her vice president role at the recent Annual General Meeting of the association.

The selectors of the All Namibia Netball Association (ANNA) have announced the country’s squad of 12 which will compete at the Nations Cup in Singapore in December. Eight players from the Khomas Region league have been named in the squad, but there is no place for experienced utility defender Wency Katjatako, who missed the final selection while sitting her Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Cape Town. The full Nambibia squad selected (including three non-travelling reserves) is: Penny Amupandi, Dalena Botes, Eve Hamwaalwa, Nadia Janse van Rensberg, Toetsie Kambatuku, Annah Kasper, Delilah Keja, Yvonne Kotjipati, Nalande Mostert, Tanya Mupiri, Eveline Sikoka, Salome Swarts, Golla Uahongora, Ester Uuwango, Susan van Zyl.

It seems that extreme cold weather is not a hindrance to the spread of netball across the world, with news from the USANA that the game has now been introduced to school teachers in Alaska as part of the governing body’s grass roots development programme. Francisco Campbell, a keen netballer at the University of Alaska, took the initiative to introduce the game to school teachers from across the region at the recent Alaska State AAPHRD Convention where, thanks to the support of the USANA, he was able to present practical and theory sessions for those attending. Various publications were made available to participants including IFNA’s Basic Coaching Manual, as well as USANA’s manuals on setting up a netball club and Quick Guide to the Rules, and Francisco (pictured taking a toss up during the session)is confident that many of those who attended will set up clubs at their own schools and colleges. It is hoped that an Alaska State Netball Association can be founded in the near future as a result of this initiative.

With 1,000 days to go to the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Netball Scotland has announced that a series of initiatives to boost the performance of the Scottish Thistles when they compete on home soil. Following an intensive training camp held at the University of Bath – the side’s possible holding camp during the 2014 games, it was announced that Scotland, ranked 14th in the world, will play a one off test match against world number seven Fiji in Liverpool in November, before facing world number 12 Wales in a three match test series in Aberdeen in December. The Thistles squad has also received support and motivational coaching from stars of athletics and television, with Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes and singer and TV presenter Cheryl Baker providing hints and tips for the squad on training and preparation, as well as handling the pressure of the “big occasion.”

Netball around the World

2011-10-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

IFNA's GOAL programme continues to bring netball to young players across India: this week the Netball Development Trust saw first hand how empowering the game can be, sending these pictures from this week's game between Sanjay Colony and Abhas played at Tughlakabad near Delhi. A large crowd turned out to see Sanjay Colony take the game 28-1 in impressive style. The Netball Development Trust (NDT) is seeking sponsors for its coaching manuals and rule books which will be used on the NDT's wider tour of India later this year: the books will not only be used at the schools that the Trust visits but will also be utilised by its in-country volunteers year round. To find out more, please email netballdevelopmenttrust@hotmail.com or you can make a donation to the publication costs by visiting www.justgiving.com/netballdevelopmenttrust: please mark your donation “Coaching manuals and rule books”.

Australia and New Zealand meet this weekend for the resumption of the 2011 Constellation Cup, with the victor set to take not only the silverware but the world number 1 position. When the two teams met in June in Australia, they each won a single match, leaving the series poised for an electric conclusion in New Zealand. The sides have two new coaches since the June encounters – Lisa Alexander and Wai Taumaunu, who go head to head at this level for the first time.

World champions Australia completed their warm up for the Constellation Cup with a 45-41 victory over England to take the series between the two 3-0. But they were made to fight all the way by the young tourists, who were inspired by an impressive defensive display from Ama Agbeze and improved shooting from youngsters Joanne Harten and Rosie Allison. Australia will welcome back defenders Julie Corletto, Susan Fuhrmann and Mo'onia Gerrard for the New Zealand Tests, after all have recovered from minor injuries.

As a warm up for the first match of the series, in Perth on Sunday, spectators will have the chance to see the top two sides in Africa in competition. South Africa, who impressed at the Singapore World Championships, will take on world number six Malawi as the curtain-raiser to the main game and the teams will also play warm up games against the world's top two, as well as the Australian Institute of Sport side. While in Australia, representatives of Netball South Africa and the Netball Association of Malawi are being introduced to administrators across Western Australia as they look to increase participation and improve standards across the game back home.

Cayman Islands netball received a welcome boost this week with the news that the Islands' Netball Association has appointed a new technical director, as well as confirming government investment which will improve playing surfaces across the country. Government Director of Sports, Collin Anglin, this week confirmed that the government is keen to bring netball into line with other Cayman sports, to ensure participation across the region continues to grow.

In domestic competitions, Botswana's UB Crystals took an unexpected 53-51 against a weakened Jungle Queens side in this week's matches in the country's Spar Good For You National League. The Queens, who were missing the services of their inspirational captain Lilian Rankgwe and star defender Opelo Setshwano, found it hard to cope with the paces of the Crystals attacking line up early on, and despite a late surge, could not close the gap. In the week's other game, Notwane defeated Doves 51-23.

Leeds Athletic defeated Oaksway 43-34 in the English Premier League division 1 to move to the top of the championship table, ahead of reigning champions Academy, 52-31 winners over Thoroughbreds. Leyton is still undefeated in division two, leading the table, after a 33-25 win against London rivals Cumberland. Meanwhile, Telstars and Grangetown are still tied at the top of division three with four wins from four matches.

Meanwhile, good luck to Welsh community netball coach Catherine Roberts who has been shortlisted for the Contribution to Development Award at the annual Sport Wales awards, which take place at the end of the year. Roberts, who is Welsh Netball's Community Coach for Carmarthenshire, works with local clubs and schools across the region to identify and develop playing, umpiring and coaching talent.

Congratulations to IFNA President, Mrs Molly Rhone

2011-10-19T01:39:00.000-07:00

IFNA PRESIDENT HONOURED

The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) President, Mrs Molly Rhone, received the Order of Jamaica at the Jamaica National Honours and Awards Ceremony at King’s House on National Heroes Day, October 17.

In 1999 the government of Jamaica awarded her the Order of Distinction for her work in netball but she has now received the country's fourth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica, for services locally and internationally in Sports Administration, in particular netball.

Molly served as Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) President from 1993 until 2003 and represented Jamaica in the World Netball Championships (WNC) in 1967 and 1975.

Molly is the only Jamaican to head an international sporting body, has been IFNA’s President since 2003 and is the longest serving President to date. From 1999 to 2003 she served as IFNA Vice President and between 1997 and 2003 she was responsible for the bidding, planning, organisation and successful hosting of the eleventh World Netball Championships held in Jamaica.

Molly is absolutely thrilled to receive the Order: "It is a great honour. As I always say, when we serve we don't serve to be recognised, we serve out of love and passion, and we do appreciate it when we are recognised."

Congratulations from all at IFNA and on behalf of Members, netballers, officials and fans around the world thank you for what you do for netball year after year. Your lifetime dedication and passion is a guiding light for our sport.

Netball Around the World

2011-10-14T05:38:00.001-07:00

Many congratulations to all those involved in the organisation of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships (WNC) Singapore 2011, which won the Brand Presentation category at this week's International Sports Event Management Awards (ISEM) 2011 dinner. The Mission Foods WNC 2011 beat off some stiff opposition to take the prize, ahead of the AFC Football World Cup 2011, World 9 Ball Championships, the 2nd Asian Beach Games Muscat and Emir Cup 2011 and scooped the first prize for the best use of sports event branding to drive consumer awareness, customer loyalty and establish a positive brand image in the minds of the spectators. And there was further cause for celebration when the WNC was also awarded the Silver, runners' up, award in the Event Look category, just behind winners the UEFA Europa League Final 2011, one of the world's biggest annual sporting events. Well done to all those involved with the Singapore competition.

Picture of Urvasi Naidoo, IFNA CEO receiving the Brand Presentation Award

World Netball Champions, the Australian Diamonds have continued their winning ways on the court, establishing an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the Holden Netball Test series against world number three England. The host nation sealed the series with a 67-36 victory over the young, inexperienced England side in Canberra, Australia's third largest score ever against England, having taken the first Test 62-47 in Newcastle. The final game in the three match series is to be played in Sydney this weekend, before Australia's attention turns to three Tests against Commonwealth champions New Zealand to be played at the end of the month. However, the Diamonds will be without their midcourt dynamo and captain Natalie Von Bertouch after it was announced that she will miss the entire autumn international season with a stress reaction in the sesamoid bone of her right foot. Catherine Cox will retain the captaincy for the remainder of the England and New Zealand series.

Meanwhile, new Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander already has one eye on the upcoming World Netball Series, to be played in Liverpool in November, and has named an Australian squad blending youth and experience to take part in the competition. The full Australian FastNet squad is: Emily Beaton, Kate Beveridge, Ashleigh Brazill, Rebecca Bulley, Bianca Chatfield, Carla Dziwoki, April Letton, Susan Pratley, Verity Simmons, Amy Steel, Vanessa Ware and Amorette Wild. The World Netball Series takes place from 25-27 November: for further information, please visit www.worldnetballseries.com.

The Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) has announced that plans to host a three Test series against world number two New Zealand in early 2012 has been shelved for the time being. JNA President Marva Barnard acknowledged that, with the Sunshine Girls currently in the throes of a rebuilding programme after the World Netball Championships, the Jamaican side would not provide a proper test for the Silver Ferns at this stage. Shooting sensation Romelda Aiken and six other senior internationals have indicated that they are taking a break from the international game and would not be available for the planned Test series. Instead, Jamaica's young players will focus on preparations for the World Netball Series and it is hoped that the Tests against New Zealand can be rescheduled for some time in the near future.

Waimarama Taumaunu has been appointed as head coach for the Silver Ferns for the next four years. Taumaunu, a former New Zealand captain and most recent assistant coach to Ruth Aitken, will take charge of the Ferns for the upcoming international series against Australia, after Aitken was forced to withdraw for family reasons.

The first ever South Asian Beach Games reaches a conclusion this weekend in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Eight Asian countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and the host nation – have played a round robin competition throughout the week, which also aims to bring netball to a new audience across the region. The final will be played later today (Friday).

Former English international Tracey Neville has been named as the new Director of Netball at Northern Thunder, the north west based franchise in the UK's Fiat Netball SuperLeague. Neville, who was head coach at Team Northumbria last season, won more than 80 international caps during her playing career, and will lead the team out for their first fixture of the 2012 season at a new home venue. Northern Thunder will now be based at the Wright Robinson Sports Village in East Manchester, which is to become the new national performance centre for players in the North West.

Remaining in the North West of England, netballers are mourning the death of inspirational coach Mike Greenwood, who died last weekend. A tough talking and skilled tactician, Greenwood founded Oldham Netball Club 25 years ago, and during his coaching career, the club's juniors won 40 national age group championships, while the senior first team plays in division one of the UK's National Premier League. He coached Northern Thunder in the Super Cup for a season, and returned to the franchise in 2008, taking them from the bottom of the table to a second place finish in 2011. He also coached England's U17s and U19s in home internationals and European championships and it was estimated that all matches (if not teams) in the UK Premier League had at least one player he had coached on court last weekend.

Netball around the World

2011-10-07T04:21:00.001-07:00

IFNA is delighted to announce that the Mission Foods World Netball Championships held in Singapore earlier this year have been nominated for two prestigious awards at the upcoming International Sports Event Management Conference. The awards, to be presented on 12 October, are the only global awards to recognise excellence in the international sports event management industry. The Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011 have been shortlisted in the Event Look and Brand Presentation categories.

New Zealand netball celebrated two significant milestones this week, during its two match test series against England. The second test played in Invercargill was the final home coaching appearance of New Zealand's Ruth Aitken – the world's most capped netball coach, while prolific Silver Ferns shooter Irene Van Dyk (39) became the first player ever to achieve 200 international caps.

Having won the first international in the series earlier in the week by 22 goals, the Silver Ferns rounded out a great week with a 53-32 victory over a young and relatively inexperienced England team. Both England and New Zealand now travel to Australia to face the reigning world champions in three match test series. However, the Diamonds will be without some key personnel, at least for the first of their encounters with England, after it was announced that captain Natalie von Bertouch will be sidelined by a stress reaction in her sesamoid bone in her right foot. Star defender Mo'onia Gerrard is also likely to miss the series against England, which gets under way on Sunday, after being sidelined with a calf strain. Madison Browne and Rebecca Bulley have been called into the Australian squad as cover.

South Africa's selectors have named a strong team to face Malawi in the one-off test to be played in Perth ahead of the Australia/New Zealand test match later this month. Experienced defender Leigh-Ann Zackey has announced her retirement from the international game, but the South African selectors have recalled Adele Niemand, who represented South Africa at the 2007 World Championships. Anja Opperman and Karla Mostert are named in the Proteas squad for the first time. The full squad is: Amanda Mynhardt (capt), Zanele Mdodana (vice capt), Chrisna Bootha, Erin Burger, Zukelwa Cwaba, Vanes-Mari du Toit, Tsakane Mbewe, Karla Mostert, Bongiwe Msome, Adele Niemand, Anja Opperman, Nokuthula Qegu.

Grass roots players in England received a boost this week, with the announcement of an additional £1 million in funding from Sport England. The funding recognises England Netball's success in driving community sport participation and is intended by Sport England to drive up participation numbers across the country.

The Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) has announced it will unveil a new four year development plan for the island's netball programme at the end of October. While final details of the programme are still being worked on, the plan will include the revival of parish netball associations across Jamaica particularly in the west of the island), improving the administration and communication for clubs with the JNA and implementing a new coaching programme designed to train as many as 200 new local coaches. As the first step for the new four year programme, Maureen Hall has been appointed as Jamaica's new High Performance Director.

Grenada's Lottysha Cato met the island's president, the Hon Tillman Thomas, this week, in recognition of her achievements as the country's first professional netballer. Cato, who is expected to join the Celtic Dragons for a second season in the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague in early 2012, has used her time in Grenada to coach up and coming players and pass on the knowledge which she has gained during her time in the UK.

Vanuatu netballers are to compete in their first ever national netball championships at the start of December. The National Netball Series will take place from 5-9 December and will feature coaching and umpiring workshops as well as mentoring sessions for participating umpires and coaches during the championships themselves. Further details of the event activities can be found by visiting www.oceaniasport.com/vannetball.

Netball Around the World

2011-10-04T02:51:00.000-07:00

England’s new look, young squad has arrived in New Zealand ahead of next week’s internationals against the Silver Ferns. Northern Thunder defender Emma Dovey has been included in the squad in place of Sonia Mkoloma, who is resting after a heavy international and ANZ Championships workload during the past few seasons. The first Test match takes place on Monday, with the second to be played in Auckland on Thursday.

Dovey in action playing for Northern Thunder.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front, squads are starting the build up to the 2012 Fiat Netball Superleague. Reigning champions Mavericks have announced that former international captain Karen Atkinson, who retired from playing after the World Championships in Singapore, is to take over as head coach of reigning champions Mavericks. On the player front, last season’s Grand Finalists Surrey Storm have secured one of the league’s top names for the new season, with the announcement that Pamela Cookey is to join the Guildford-based franchise.
The Malawian government has released K5 million (approx $30,000US) to fund the Queens upcoming trip to Australia. With the Malawi national side rebuilding after the retirements of stalwart internationals Mary Waya, Peace Chawinga, Esther Nkhoma and Sylvia Malenga, the Test match to be played between the Queens and arch rivals South Africa is a warm up to the Australia/New Zealand Test match in Perth later this month and will give the team’s management a chance to assess the side’s potential for the coming four year international cycle. The Queens will also play Australia’s U21 side in practice matches as the young Diamonds team starts its build up to the defence of its World Youth Netball Championships title in 2013.

Meanwhile, across Africa, the All Namibia Netball Association (ANNA) is seeking sponsorships to allow its national side to play a series of friendly internationals in the build up to the Six Nations Championships in Singapore, from 6-11 December. World number 24 Namibia is set to be the lowest ranked nation taking part in Singapore, alongside Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore. With training camps planned for the coming weeks, the Namibian national squad will face Botswana and, it is hoped, Malawi in international matches ahead of the Singapore competition: ANNA’s final squad for the Six Nations Championships will be named in October.

In New Zealand, Canterbury secured back to back Lion National Netball Championships titles when they defeated Otago 63-59 in an all-South Island grand final to the 2011 competition. Ellen Halpenny was the stand out shooter for the champions, netting 45 goals from 50 attempts in a clinical and impressive all court team performance.

Congratulations to Vanuatu Netball Association delegates Eileen Nganga and Aileen Huri who were part of the Vanuatu South Pacific Games team leadership group. Despite netball not being included in this year’s competition, the pair were included thanks to their excellent administrative and leadership skills.

St Lucia Netball Association launched its Super J Vintage Netball League last weekend with a parade of participating teams in front of the island’s Governor General, patron of the Association. The league will feature six teams of players aged 40 and over, and will be played at venues across the island until the end of October.

USA Netball is now able to call on a true sporting great as it continues to increase awareness of the game across America. Former men’s World figure skating champion, six time USA men’s champion and double Olympian Todd Eldredge has turned his hand to netball coaching, and has taken up a position coaching in South West Florida. USA Netball will be utilising his expertise to mentor its emerging national squad players in developing the mental strength and skills needed to succeed at the top of the sport.

Finally, netball emerged as one of the most fashionable sports around this week, with news that it inspired a catwalk collection shown at Milan Fashion Week! English designer Christopher Kane took the game as his starting point for his designs for the Versus range, which was shown on a catwalk laid out as a netball court. Netball skirts, in particular, were used as a basis for many designs, which have been universally acclaimed by the world’s fashion press. Perhaps it will not be too long before Kane links with a sportswear company to create a high end netball clothing range, as Stella McCartney has done so successfully with Adidas and tennis wear. As one fashion journalist commented, in terms of Kane’s and Versace’s collection, “They shoot! They scored!”.

Netball Around the World

2011-09-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

Vanuatu's netballers are celebrating this week, after it was agreed that the country's national side, the Vanuatu Lava, will travel to Fiji in 2012 to play training matches against the participating countries at next year's Pacific Netball Series (PNS). Although the PNS currently features only four teams (Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Fiji), a strong performance from the Vanuatu players in these warm up fixtures could see them included in the competition for 2013. As part of the preparations for this competition, Vanuatu's netballers are seeking further competitive opportunities, particularly against visiting international club and regional sides at both junior and senior levels. Interested parties should email vanuatunetball@gmail.com.

The USA Netball Association (USANA) has announced a major restructuring effort which aims to promote development of netball across the United States as well as sourcing sustainable investment to enable the game to grow at all levels. The organisation has scored a notable success already, by placing and implementing an “introduction to netball” programme for sports psychology students at West Chester University. Netball is already included as an intramural sport in Tampa and St Leo's Universities in Florida, and it is hoped that further educational establishments will include it in their sports programmes for the coming year.

After a shortened season in 2011, caused by the timing of the Netball World Championships in Singapore, the ANZ Championships will revert to its usual position in the calendar for the 2012 season. Starting in March 2012, teams will play across a 17 week calendar, with a two week finals series scheduled for May/June. The league's organisers have secured the biggest TV deal in Australian womens' sport history, with all 69 games of the competition to be shown on the Channel 10 network.

Meanwhile, franchises continue to finalise their playing and coaching rosters ahead of the October deadine. The NSW Swifts have announced former England coach and Australia international Sue Hawkins is joining Netball NSW as High Performance Coach. In this new role, she will play a specialist role with the Swifts, as well as working closely with athletes and coaches at the NSW Institute of Sport and state and Australian Netball league teams. For the full fixtures list for the 2012 ANZ Championship season please visit www.anz-championship.com

On the court, the Zimbabwe Netball Association's Netball Superleague resumes this weekend after a three week break. Reigning national champions Railstars face Jazeera Queens in the pick of the round's fixtures.

In Australia, the NSW Waratahs were too strong for the Victorian Fury in the Grand Final of the Australian Netball League Grand Final, emerging 55-46 champions for the first time after an undefeated season. Western Sting maintained their composure to take a 51-48 win against Queensland Fusion and secure third place in the competition.

Congratulations to the 16 teams that have qualified to take part in the 2011 New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Championships, which will take place in Napier in mid-October. The competition has been extended this season to include four additional teams, with six from the upper North Island, five from the lower North Island and five from the South Island hoping to take the title which was won by Mount Albert Grammar School in 2010.

Finally, IFNA CEO, Urvasi Naidoo, is this week attending the IOC Sport for All Conference in China where she is speaking about IFNA's award winning development programme in India - GOAL.

Netball Around the World

2011-09-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

New Zealand's selectors have named three new Silver Ferns in the squad to face Australia and England in the New World Netball Series at the start of October. 19 year old Kayla Cullen , 20 year old Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick and shooter Cathrine Latu are the new faces in the New Zealand line up, while Laura Langman was confirmed as captain for the five tests, while Casey Williams recovers from ankle surgery. Irene van Dyk, the world's most capped international netballer, will be New Zealand's vice captain for the series.

Picture shows the three new Silver Ferns caps named this week – left to right, Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Cathrine Latu and Kayla Cullen – at the announcement of the squad.

Jamaica captain Nadine Bryan is one of seven netballers to be awarded a scholarship to the University of the West Indies (UWI) this week. Together with the other scholarship recipients – Kera Christie, Samantha Francis, Gillene Graham, Shadian Hemmings, Shann Lambert, Connique Moore – Bryan will be expected to maintain high academic standards during her time at the university, but will be given unprecedented access to UWI's facilities and services for athletes including access to sports psychologists and nutritionists as well as housing and other advisory services. Meanwhile, future Jamaican internationals could be on show from this week, with the start of the ISSA/Digicel High School netball competition. Denbigh, the reigning senior champions, and Holmwood Technical, holders of the junior title, will face stiff competition from the 100 teams taking part in the championships, which is to be sponsored by Digicel for the fifth consecutive year.

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) captain Janelle Barker was in sparkling shooting form this week, as she led the University of T&T to the T&T Netball Association Champion of Champions. Scoring 20/23 at GS, Barker inspired her side to a 48-31 victory over Tobago champions Blazers.

Still in the Caribbean, Guyana's netballers are undertaking a brief tour of Barbados this week. In addition to matches against leading club sides, Guyana will also face the Barbados U21 and senior teams in a series of games which, it is hoped, will challenge the visitors and assist them with future development plans.

In domestic competitions, the Australian Netball League (ANL) reaches its climax this weekend with the finals weekend being staged in Waverley, Victoria. The interstate competition is a development league for emerging players with each state fielding teams comprising players who, it is hoped, will ultimately play in the ANZ Championships, and possibly for Australia. Western Sting has qualified for the finals weekend for the first time, and will face Victoria Fury in the first semi-final. New South Wales Waratahs will meet Queensland Fusion in the other semi final.

Finally this week, on her return from England's Southern Hemisphere tour, England international Tamsin Greenway will take on a very different role, having been appointed as the first player/coach for Surrey Storm in the Fiat Netball Superleague. The position as player/coach is part of her new wider role as director of netball for the Surrey Sports Park, which will also include community netball programmes and expanding netball's reach across the London and South East region.

Netball Around the World

2011-08-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

The Netball Development Trust (NDT) has continued to promote IFNA's GOAL Project in India by attending the Aali vs Aabhas match in Delhi this week. Supported by the Australian Sports Commission, and organised by NAZ Trust, the match was played as part of a six-team league competition which has been organised to increase participation in netball across the Delhi region. Aabhas emerged the victors 9-8 after 30 minutes of play – our photograph shows the game in action. Congratulations to NAZ Trust for all the organising and hard work it really was a great competition.

The NDT is a programme which aims to introduce netball at grass roots level to primary school children living in some of the poorest areas of Uganda and India, in regions where they lack even the most basic equipment and resources needed to play netball. The Trust will be making another trip to India to Bhubaneshwar, Orissa later this year so watch this space for more information on that trip. To find out more about the Trust, visit www.netballtrust.co.uk.

Malawi goalshooter Mwayi Kumwende is turning her hand to coaching, after completing her first season as an import player in the Australian Netball League (ANL). Kumwende, her country's first netballing professional, recently returned home after starring for the Penninsula Waves in the ANL and has established a training programme for primary and secondary schools which she will take across Malawi from September.

Tanzania's Taifa Queens will travel to this year's All African Championships without three key players. Restituta Boniface, Irene Elias and Lillian Silidion will miss next month's tournament, which is to be played in Mozambique, as they will be sitting Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. Six other players are currently away from Tanzania's training camp due to commitments at the country's Military Games, but are expected to return for selection at the end of August.

In Botswana's SPAR Good For You National league, UB Crystals edged past Notwane 42-39 in this week's feature match. Inspired by accurate shooting by Botihale Moeng, Crystals overturned Notwane's early lead and with Thulaganyo Segopolo controlling the UB side's defensive line, Crystals held on to take a well deserved victory. In the week's other match, BDF Cats proved too strong for Flying Doves, taking the points from their encounter after an easy 58-10 win.

Jamaica's Young Sunshine Girls completed a 4-0 sweep against England's U19 touring team this week, taking the final test between the two countries 52-40, as both sides started their preparations for the World Youth Championships in 2013. Meanwhile, sponsors General Accident have honoured Sunshine Girls' towering shooter Jhanele Fowler, presenting her with an Award of Excellence for her outstanding shooting during the recent World Championships, at which she was Jamaica's leading goal scorer with a conversion rate of 89%.

The Territory Storm has taken its first win of the 2011 Australian Netball League, coming from behind to sneak a 51-50 win against the Canberra Darters. However, the Storm failed to make it two wins from two this week, despite leading by four goals at the end of the final quarter, as they allowed South Australia to snatch a 47-45 win. Queensland Fusion remains at the top of the competition table, ahead of NSW Waratahs and NSW Blues, both of which have games in hand over the league leaders.

Jade Clarke is the latest English international to secure an ANZ Championship contract, after agreeing terms with New Zealand's Northern Mystics for the 2012 season. Clarke, who appeared briefly for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in 2010 as a replacement for the injured Peta Scholz, looks set to take over the WD position vacated by Joline Henry when she transferred to the Central Pulse for the new season.

Netball New Zealand has announced that Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic coach Noeline Taurua will act as assistant coach for Silver Ferns head coach Ruth Aitken during the autumn international series. Taurua replaces Waimarana Taumaunu, who stepped down from the assistant coach's role at the conclusion of the Netball World Championships in Singapore earlier this year.

Finally, while many ANZ Championships players are using gym sessions or beach runs as pre-season conditioning training, West Coast Fever player Shae Bolton has set herself a higher target – namely, to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. Bolton, 22, is undertaking the gruelling trek to raise money for a charity combating homelessness among young people, the Ladder Foundation. To find out more about the trek, or make a donation, please visit www.everydayhero.com.au/shae_bolton.

Netball around the world

2011-08-19T07:57:00.001-07:00

Ruth Aitken, the world's most capped netball coach, is stepping down as head coach of New Zealand's Silver Ferns in October, and will take up a new role as Coaching Director for Netball New Zealand. Aitken, who took over as Silver Ferns coach in 2001, led New Zealand to its first World Championship title in 16 years in 2003, as well as back to back Commonwealth titles in 2006 and 2010. She will step down from the role after New Zealand's autumn internationals against Australia and England and her replacement will be named in November.

Colette Thomson has been named as coach of England's U21 squad for the 2013 World Youth Championships, and will also be taking charge of the England open squad's autumn tour of Australia and New Zealand. Former international Thomson, who led England to silver at the 2003 World Youth Championships in Florida, will take over the U21 role full time in January. She is currently leading England's Xcel squad's tour of Jamaica, during which the England and Jamaica U19 squads will play three test matches as preparations for the 2013 World Youth Championships get under way for both nations.

The Namibian Netball Association has confirmed that the country is seeking friendly international matches against African neighbours Malawi and Botswana ahead of the Six Nations Cup, which is to take place in Singapore in December.

Gauteng North retained the South African SPAR National Championships title, defeating Free State Motheo 37-31 in an entertaining final. Erkulehni finished the competition in third place, defeating Nelson Mandela Bay 56-44 in the bronze medal play off. Gauteng North also took the U19 and U21 titles at the championships.

More player moves have been confirmed this week as the ANZ Championships sides continue to work on finalising their line ups ahead of the October deadline to name their teams. Australian vice captain Catherine Cox is the latest big name player to switch franchises, moving to the West Coast Fever from the NSW Swifts this week on a two year contract, where she will be joined by promising young English defender Eboni Beckford Chambers. Former Australian U21 star Courtney Tairi is to move to New Zealand's Southern Steel, but after speculation that she would join New Zealand's most southerly team, Australian international Mo'onia Gerrard has confirmed that she will stay with the NSW Swifts for another season.

Finally, congratulations to Pakistan's Shining Star Netball Club, which won the country's Independence Day Netball Championships, defeating Ever Green 27-22 in the final of the competition which was organised by the Punjab Netball Association. To coincide with the tournament, the Punjab Netball Association arranged a series of training sessions at which more than 100 players from Gujranwala, Sialkot, Hafizabad and Shiekhupura learned basic skills and fitness drills, many as first time netballers.

Netball around the world

2011-08-15T03:23:00.001-07:00

Many congratulations to IFNA President Molly Rhone, who is to receive the Order of Jamaica, one of the country's highest honours, for services to netball. Former international player Molly, who is the only Jamaican to head an international sport's governing body, has led IFNA since 2003 and was previously chair of the Jamaican Netball Association.

Lisa Alexander has been named as the new head coach of the Australian Diamonds for the next two years, after incumbent Norma Plummer withdrew her application for reappointment after her side's successful World Championships defence in Singapore last month. Alexander, who was formerly Australian U21 coach and Adelaide Thunderbirds assistant coach, aims to continue Australia's international success by improving and extending the country's high performance programme. She will take charge of the squad immediately, with her first national squad camp taking place during the first weekend of September, ahead of autumn internationals against England and New Zealand.

Malawi's most celebrated and recognised international, Mary Waya, has announced she will be opening the Mary Waya Netball Academy from this weekend, to identify and develop future stars of the international game. Waya, who is currently her country's U21 squad coach and led her squad to the title at the African Zone XI championship title last December, will be working with players aged 7-15 to introduce and improve their basic skills and courtcraft.

Jamaican defensive star Althea Byfield has announced her retirement from the international game, following her country's disappointing performances in Singapore. Byfield, 28, was a member of Jamaica's silver medal winning team at the World Youth Championships in 2000, and won bronze medals at the world championships in 2003 and 2007. Former Jamaica captain Simone Forbers, who indicated that she would be retiring from the international game in May has also written to the Jamaica Netball Association to confirm her decision to withdraw from the Sunshine Girls.

Netball Fiji is shaking up its administration, advertising the roles of coach, manager and selectors for the country's international squads for the coming years. Incumbent coaches Gabriel Qoro and Una Rokoura are eligible for reapointment: their current contracts concluded with at the completion of the World Championships in Singapore.

South Africa's Proteas have withdrawn from the All Africa Championships to be held in Mozambique next month. With players still recovering from injuries sustained during the country's World Championships campaign or unavailable due to work or study commitments, Netball South Africa has acknowledged that the timing will not permit adequate preparation or recovery times for its international squad. The Proteas will now focus on their next international match, to be held in Perth, Australia, in October, against Malawi.

In domestic competitions, England Netball has confirmed the eight franchises to take part in the 2012 Fiat Netball Superleague. Champions Hertfordshire Mavericks and former title holders TeamBath will be joined by Surrey Storm, Northern Thunder, Team Northumbria, Loughborough Lightning, new side Yorkshire Jets and Celtic Dragons in the league, which has been trimmed from nine squads to eight for the new season. Meanwhile, former England coach Mary Beardwood has confirmed that she is stepping down from her role as head coach of Surrey Storm after two seasons in charge. She will become the franchise's first honorary Vice President in recognition of her contribution to the development of Surrey Storm in its first two years of existence.

Gauteng North is on track to defend South Africa's Spar National Netball Championships title after dismissing Western Province 60-29 and Griqualand West 61-27 in their pool matches this week. Free State Motheo are also unbeaten ahead of this weekend's play off matches, with the final due to be played on Sunday.

As franchises in the ANZ Championships continue to finalise their line ups, Central Pulse have added another international star to their line up for the 2012 season with the signing of Silver Fern Joline Henry. She will join a much-strengthened Pulse side for the new season, which will also boast New Zealand stars Camilla Lees, Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin and Australian sharpshooter Caitlin Thwaites. However, two Silver Ferns will be missing from next year's competition with Daneka Wipiiti taking time out to play basketball and Leana Leota likely to move to the UK with her husband, who has been signed to play rugby with club side Sale.

IFNA President Honoured

2011-08-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) is very proud to announce that its President, Mrs Molly Rhone, will receive the Order of Jamaica at the Jamaica National Honours and Awards Ceremony at King’s House on National Heroes Day, October 17.

In 1999 the government of Jamaica awarded her the Order of Distinction for her work in netball but now she will receive the country's fourth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica, for services locally and internationally in Sports Administration, in particular netball.

Molly served as Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) President from 1993 until 2003 and represented Jamaica in the World Netball Championships (WNC) in 1967 and 1975.

Molly is the only Jamaican to head an international sporting body, has been IFNA’s President since 2003 and is the longest serving President to date. From 1999 to 2003 she served as IFNA Vice President and between 1997 and 2003 she was responsible for the bidding, planning, organisation and successful hosting of the eleventh World Netball Championships held in Jamaica.

Molly is absolutely thrilled to receive the Order: "It is a great honour. As I always say, when we serve we don't serve to be recognised, we serve out of love and passion, and we do appreciate it when we are recognised."

2011-08-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Australia's dual-World Netball Championships winning coach Norma Plummer has withdrawn her application to renew her contract with the Diamonds, after it was announced that the role had been restructured. Plummer, who took charge in 2003 and led Australia to consecutive World titles in 2007 and 2011, as well as two Commonwealth silver medals, was recently appointed head coach of the West Coast Fever in the ANZ Championships, after stating that she wants to return to a more day-to-day hands on coaching role. During her time in charge, Plummer's Australia won 75% of their 89 international test matches. Her replacement will be announced shortly.

New Zealand vice captain Temepara George announced her retirement this week, after 89 test appearances for the Silver Ferns. After making her international debut in 2000 against Australia, George went on to claim two Commonwealth Games gold medals with New Zealand, as well as the 2003 World title. The Ferns' selectors have announced two new faces – 19 year old Kayla Cullen and 21 year old Julianna Naoupu – in the New Zealand squad to face Australia and England in the autumn international programme. Former Samoan international Cathrine Latu, having served an international suspension period, is named for the Silver Ferns after an impressive ANZ season, while New Zealand U21 international Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick and New Zealand accelerant squad member Te Huinga Reo Selby Rickett have been announced as training partners for the upcoming Ferns training camp in September.

Netball South Africa has abandoned using a quota system for selection, but president of the association, Mimi Mthethewa, has stated this week that teams chosen for the country's upcoming national championships must still be a fair representation of players from within their areas, to ensure that player development is allowed to continue. Previously, squads without the required ratio of seven black and five white players, or seven white and five players were docked points before the start of the tournament.

Tanzania's Taifa Queens go into camp this weekend as preparations start to build for the All Africa Games, to be held in Mozambique from 3-18 September. Under the watchful eye of coach Mary Protas, the 20 player squad includes members from Zanzibar for the first time and will be in training camp for a month. They are set to face Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the opening stages of the Games competition.

England's U19 squad is set to tour Jamaica in August, as both sides step up preparations for the World Youth Netball Championships in 2013. In addition to four practice games against Jamaica, England will also take on the best of the island's youth club and school sides in four additional matches during their ten day tour. Jamaica's preparations for the World Youth Championships have been boosted by an increased sponsorship commitment which will allow the Young Sunshine Girls to extend their training programmes over a four year period.

In domestic competitions, Sri Lanka's 20th Milo All Island Netball Championships concluded this week, with Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala crowned as champions for the fourth successive year. The champions retained their title in style, with five teams in all age groups of the competition from U12 to U19. More than 330 teams – a record entry level – took part in the tournament.

Netball around the world

2011-07-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

New Zealand's inspirational captain Casey Williams has been ruled out of international competition for the rest of the year, due to an ongoing ankle injury which requires surgery. Williams, who played the 2006 Commonwealth Games final with a broken ankle, will undergo an operation in August to clean out her ankle joint and will miss the autumn internationals against England and Australia as a result. New Zealand will also be without experienced defender Joline Henry for the two Test series, as she has indicated she is taking time out of the game to plan her next steps. The full Silver Ferns squad for the 2011/12 internationals will be named on 1 August.

Optimism is growing in South Africa after the Proteas' encouraging fifth place at the Mission Foods World Championships, with Netball South Africa calling on the country's Sports Minister, Fikile Mbulala, to make good on his pre-competition promise to ensure the promotion and development of netball has a priority from his department in the coming months. The first opportunity that the South African government has to reinforce its support for the game will come at the Spar National Netball championships, which are to be held at the Belville Velodrome in the Western Cape from 7-13 August. 42 teams will take part in the competition, including defending national champions Gauteng North and last season's runners up Free State Motheo.

Across Africa, BDF Cats were in impressive form in the first round of Botswana's Spar “Good for You” Netball League, crushing Notwane 59-19. Young shooter Tumisang Bagidi was in sparkling form as the Cats side cruised to the top of the table after the opening games of the season.

In Israel, netball participation continues to grow, with three schools sending six teams to compete in the Maccabi Primary School Tournament in Tel Aviv this week. The year 5 and 6 competition was won by Clore Shalom's year 5 pupils in a competition which has allowed hundreds of young Jewish sportswomen the chance to play netball this season, many for the first time.

Another shooter, Nina Scirikisuva, was the inspiration as Veiyasana Red lifted Fiji's New World Suva Netball Association Superleague title this week. Scirikisuva top scored as Red defeated CDM, with its international-packed line up, 30-24 at Fiji's National Netball Centre to take the title for 2011. Meanwhile, in Fiji's Suva Southern Secondary School Championships, there will be a new name on the national U19 trophy this season, after title holders Adi Cakabaou School lost 14-15 to Rata Sakuna Memorial School (RSM) in the semi final. RSM will face Dudley High School in the Grand Final on 5 August.

Malawi Goal Shooter, Mwayi Kumwende, has concluded her season as her country's first overseas player in the Australian Netball League, winning the “Best and Fairest” award at her club Peninsula Waves' awards ceremony this week. Kumwende, who is currently the subject of media speculation as to whether an ANZ Championship side will name her in their line up for the coming season, has been an overwhelming success for the Waves during 2011 and the club is hopeful of recalling her for their 2012 competitive campaign.

Finally, Australian netball great, Sharelle McMahon, has a new challenge while she recovers from Achilles tendon surgery, after being invited to join Twenty/20 cricket side the Melbourne Stars as a board member.

Netball around the World

2011-07-25T03:04:00.000-07:00

Netball has not been selected as a candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games but IFNA is still hopeful of inclusion in the long term future. Eight sports – baseball, karate, rollersports, softball, sports climbing, squash, wakeboard and wushu – have been shortlisted for consideration. Despite this disappointment, Urvasi Naidoo, IFNA's Chief Executive Officer, remains positive about the game's prospects: “We are encouraged that netball made the long list (for consideration)”, she said, “..and will continue to work with International Olympic Committee (IOC). We will continue to work harder over the next five years to achieve our goal of seeing netball at the Olympics in the future.”

Molly Rhone IFNA President explained "We are in contact with the IOC every year, we're a recognised sport and what we're trying to do is get into more multi-sports events. When you take part in these multi-sports events then more people see your sport. One of the five pillars of our new strategic plan is having world class events, and that doesn't necessarily mean World Championships, that means at a national level, at a regional level so anywhere you see netball it is done in a very professional way."

With many internationals now entering a rest period after the World Netball Championships, attention in many areas now turns to age group competitions. In the New Zealand Netball age group championships, Otago held their nerve to edge past Canterbury 60-59 in a thrilling U21 final. Southern Steel shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickett provided a strong target for the Otago attack which, encouraged by her accuracy, clung on to the narrowest of leads to take the title. The U19 title went to Auckland-Waitakere for the third year in succession, defeating Wellington 29-24 in the final.

The best of Australia's future talent has been on show this week at the Australian 21 and Under National Championships. New South Wales (pictured) claimed its fourth consecutive title with an impressive 48-35 win against arch rivals Victoria in the Grand Final. Inspired by strong defensive work by April Letton – named player of the tournament for the second year in a row – Abbey McCullough and Paige Hadley, New South Wales led at every break and powered on to take the title. Queensland's young stars failed to add the national title to the ANZ Championships crown won by the Queensland Firebirds, and ended the competition in fourth place, after losing in the play offs to South Australia 52-46.

In Fiji, the return of national represenatives Vaiti Waqatabu, Teimumu Moce and Alesi Waqa inspired ACSOG to overcome the previously undefeated Southern Police 30-18 in the latest round of the country's Gold Nasinu Netball Association league this week. Teams for the National Inter-District Championships will be announced at the conclusion of the competition.

Netball Australia has announced the country's first ever NetFest, to take place on the country's Gold Coast from 8-11 September 2011. The festival is expected to feature more than 1,000 players of all standards from across the country, and overseas: for more information, please visit www.netfest.com.au

Tharjini Sivalingam, Asia's tallest netballer at 6'10”, received an award of 500,000 LKR (approx $4,000US) from Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapaksa this week. Sivalingam, whose accuracy helped Sri Lanka achieve 14th place at the recent Netball World Championships, received the grant at a ceremony to mark the start of construction of the Kilinochchi Sports Complex – the first world-class sporting complex to be built in the north of the country at a cost of 325mill LKR (approx $3 million US). The complex will include facilities for up to 25 sports and, it is hoped, will provide access for widows and children of those killed in Sri Lanka's terrorist conflicts to rebuild their lives through sport.

In the UK, the organisers of the Fiat Netball Superleague have received applications from ten francises to take part in the 2012-15 seasons. Hertfordshire Mavericks, Surrey Storm, TeamBath, Northern Thunder, Celtic Dragons, Loughborough Lightning, Yorkshire Jets, Team Northumbria, Glasgow Wildcats and a Birmingham-based franchise will now have their applications examined by the league's six-member assessment panel, against criteria including performance, management, community, commercial and vision. The eight franchises which match these criteria most closely will be invited to form the league – a decision is expected in the first week of August.

Finally, IFNA is delighted to welcome five new Member countries this month. Tonga, Austria, Brunei, Nepal and Ethiopia are now Associate Members of the federation and will be working closely with IFNA's support teams to develop and expand the reach of the game across their countries.

World Netball Champions - Australia

2011-07-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

Australia are the 2011 Mission Foods Netball World Champions, after defeating world number 1 New Zealand 58-57 in a dramatic extra time victory in Singapore. The Silver Ferns settled into their stride early on, pulling out to a six goal lead by half time. But the introduction of Caitlin Bassett at GS and Laura Geitz at GK re-energised the reigning world champions and they levelled the scores 46-all at the end of regular time. There was nothing to choose between the two at the end of the first period of extra time (52-all) and, as the tension levels rosem Maria Tutaia, the Kiwi heroine of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, had a long-range shot to take the game for New Zealand with only ten seconds remaining. However, the Indian fairytale was not to be repeated: Geitz snapped up the rebound and the Diamonds moved the ball at pace to Bassett, who netted a simple goal under the post as the final whistle blew.

England took the bronze medal for the first time since 1999, breezing past Jamaica 70-49. Shooter Jo Harten did much of the damage for the English side, netting 51 of her side's goals, and had further cause for celebration this week when it was announced that she has been selected in the Canterbury Tactix squad for the 2012 ANZ Championships – her first appearance in this competition.

Sue Hawkins, England's coach since the 2007 World Championships, has announced her resignation this week. Hawkins, the former coach of Auckland Diamonds, has decided to return home to be closer to her family, and is currently examing job opportunities back in Australia.

Congratulations to South Africa's Erin Burger, who was named the player of the tournament, topping the “player of the match” awards voting. Her side ended the tournament in fifth place, after defeating Malawi 52-50 to reclaim the Protea's position as the best side in Africa.

Northern Ireland, the surprise package of the competition, finished in the top eight for the first time, and is now looking to continue that improvement by advertising for a full time coach for the first time in Netball Northern Ireland's history. Interested applicants should email netballni@btconnect.com for more information.

The immediate aftermath of Australia's back to back World Championships wins has been a huge surge in ticket sales for the autumn international between the Diamonds and the Silver Ferns. 5,000 tickets for the international between the two sides to be played in Perth sold out in under a day, and tickets for the games in Adelaide and Melbourne, as well as for the matches against England in Newcastle, Canberra and Sydney are also selling extremely fast.

In other news, the Tanzania Netball League is now under way, with Jeshi Stars setting the pace at the top of the table. The Tanzanian squad to contest the All Africa Games in September will be named at the end of the league competition with the Taifa Queens then starting a two week long residential training camp as part of their preparations for the Games.

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD 8 JULY 2011

2011-07-08T04:16:00.000-07:00

Northern Ireland's squad has been the talk of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships in Singapore thus far, after the side qualified for the quarter finals for the first time in the country's history. The world number 12 side secured their spot in the last eight with a surprise 66-37 over ninth seeds Samoa in pool play. However, world number three England proved too strong for the Northern Irish squad, registering an impressive 87-16 victory to cruise into the semi finals.

Commonwealth champions, New Zealand, withstood a spirited first quarter by South Africa to take a 58-28 win and move forwards to face England in the semi finals. Australia will play Malawi and Jamaica will play Trinidad and Tobago in the other semi finals.

The New Zealand / South Africa match also saw another milestone for coach Ruth Aitken, when she became New Zealand (and the world's) most capped netball coach. Aitken took the record from Kiwi coaching legend, Lois Muir, who actually coached Aitken in the New Zealand team which took the title at the World Netball Championships in 1973.

Away from the world championships, St Kitts are the ECCB OECS U21 champions: having registered an impressive goal difference and undefeated record going into the final day's competition, St Kitts ensured that they took the title with a thrilling 40-all draw with reigning champions Grenada, who ended the tournament in third place overall. St Vincent and the Grenadines finished in the runner's up position.

Singapore defeated Malaysia 47-38 in the final of the third ASEAN Schools Games competition, having led 25-16 at half time. Having lost to Malaysia 31-34 in the group stage of the competition, Singapore's youngsters were determined to reverse that result in the final, and thanks to an impressive all court defence, inspired by GK Grace Seow, led 17-6 at the end of the first period. Malaysia mounted a determined fight back, but Singapore's focus and structure withstood the challenge to hold on and take the title.

Finally, many congratulations to Brenda Prince from Trinidad and Tobago who has been awarded IFNA's highest honour, the IFNA Service Award, for her years of work in developing netball across the Caribbean.

Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011

2011-07-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Really hotting up with Quarter Finals today, Semi Finals Tomorrow and Finals on Sunday. If you are in Singapore tickets still available.

If you are following around the world, up to date scores on WNC2011 website and their Facebook Page.

Netball around the world - Weekly Round Up

2011-06-27T04:34:00.001-07:00

With the start of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships less than a week away, participating teams are now putting the final touches to their preparations and starting their journeys to the host country Singapore.

First to arrive in Singapore were the South African Proteas, who met with South African president Jacob Zuma last Sunday before departure at the President's official residence in Pretoria (pictured). President Zuma wished the team well at the championships and promised that he or Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula will visit the competition to watch the South African side in action. However, South Africa will be without their experienced vice captain Nthabiseng Moabi for the competition, after she was removed from the South African line up: Zanele Mdodana takes over the vice captain's role and Bongiwe Msoni, captain of South Africa's U21 side, has been added to the touring squad.

The Malawi Queens completed their preparations for the competition, defeating the Botswana Chicks 41-28 and 33-27 in two friendly matches. Malawi faces Uganda in a final warm up game this Saturday (25 June) before leaving for Singapore, although it look unlikely that veteran shooter Mary Waya will be included in the Queens line up, after she failed to attend a training camp this week. However, Malawi will be boosted at the World Championships by the return of shooter Mwayi Kumwenda, who has been in sparkling form for Australian club, Penninsula Waves, in the Victorian Netball league – this week she scored 66/71 as her side defeated UB Ballarat Pride 81-44.

Samoa's squad assembled in Canberra, Australia yesterday ahead of the journey to Singapore, but will be travelling without their most experienced international. Frances Solia, part of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic side in the ANZ Championships, was unavailable for Samoan national selection in April and was therefore left out of the squad for the world championships. Samoa will play practice matches against the Australian Institute of Sport across the weekend before leaving for Singapore.

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls are set for a huge send off on their journey to Singapore, after it was revealed that a trans-island road show is planned for them on Sunday as they travel to the airport in Montego Bay. The roadshow caps a successful week for the Jamaican team off the court, after they unveiled a four year $J20.6million (approx $243,000US) sponsorship deal from Best Dressed Chicken, part of the Jamaica Broilers Group. The package will cover not only Jamaica's participation in the Singapore competition but will also fund preparations for the 2015 World Championships competition in Australia.

Reigning world champions Australia have arrived in Hong Kong for a four day training camp at the world renowned Hong Kong Football Club, where they will be holding an open training session for all of the principality's netballers on Saturday afternoon (25 June). Madison Browne has been forced to withdraw as a training partner to the Australian Diamonds due to emergency dental surgery, and her place as a training partner has been taken by Sydney Swifts' Vanessa Ware.

The Mission Foods World Netball Championships get under way on 3 July – for further information, socres and live updates, please bookmark www.wnc2011.com.

Netball around the world - Weekly Round Up

2011-06-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

With the start of the Misson Foods World Netball Championships in Singapore just over two weeks away, squads around the world are fine tuning their preparations for the competition.

World number eight, Trinidad and Tobago's “Calypso Girls” (pictured) completed a three match warm up series against Barbados this week, taking the series 2-1. Barbados, ranked tenth, surprised their Caribbean neighbours with a 43-42 win in the first game, before Trinidad and Tobago regrouped to win the remaining games 54-30 and 45-34 and take the mental advantage into the Singapore competition.

Botswana's selectors have narrowed their national squad to 15 players ahead of naming the final 12 to take part in the Singapore competition. This weekend, Botswana travel to Malawi to play final warm up matches against their African rivals, before the country's selectors name their World Championships squad. Malawi's selectors have recalled veteran shooter Mary Waya to their national squad for the Botswana series, where she will line up once more with her country's first semi-professional Mwayi Kumwenda, who has been playing for the Penninsula Waves club side in Australia. Former Malawi captain Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa has been named as assistant to coach Edith Kaliati.

Fiji beat Samoa 48-35 in the first match of the Pacific Series, with both sides using the game as a chance to test combinations ahead of the World Championships. Meanwhile, Jamaica's Sunshine Girls are playing three warm up matches in three days this weekend against a select “President's Twelve” squad to simulate the playing conditions they will face during the competition. The President's Twelve comprises three of Jamaica's long squad – Naudia Brown, Marion Campbell and Tracey-Ann Robinson, together with former national representatives Elaine Davis, Georgia Gordon and Sabrina Spence and members of Jamaica's national mens' team.

The world's top two netballing nations, Australia and New Zealand, tied their final test series before the World Championships 1-1. After losing the first match to the Diamonds, the Silver Ferns came back strongly to take a thrilling 45-42 win in the second game between the two sides. New Zealand captain, Casey Williams, returned to the Ferns' starting line up after missing the first match through injury and inspired her side with some sensational interceptions and dogged defending to keep the young Australian front line at bay.

Jamaican assistant coach Annette Daley and squad member Kimone Tulloch this week received donations from the Mico Foundation to help offset their expenses at the Championships. Daley is a netball coach and lecturer at the Mico University while Tulloch has just completed her second year of a degree in business education at the college.

Host nation Singapore will face Botswana in the opening match of the Championships on Sunday 3rd July – for more information, please visit www.wnc2011.com.

Finally, tributes have been flooding in for Lucas Von Hoff, the Australian born FIAT Superleague umpire who died from suspected heart failure last Saturday, aged 30. A memorial ceremony will be held for him on London's Clapham Common on Wednesday 22 June – for more information, please visit www.netballsuperleague.com. Our condolences go to all of Lucas' friends and family at this sad time.

2011-06-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Picture shows Australian captain Natalie von Bertouch (right) and squad members at the announcement of the Australian Diamonds to defend their world championship title, held in Canberra.

Reigning world champions, the Australian Diamonds have included three uncapped players in their squad to defend their title in Singapore in July. Queensland Firebirds' Chelsea Pitman and Adelaide Thunderbirds Erin Bell and Sharni Layton were included in the Australian line up after stand out performances in the 2011 ANZ Championships and in the four day selection weekend, which concluded on Monday. The full Australia World Championships squad is: Natalie von Bertouch (captain), Catherine Cox (vice captain), Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Julie Corletto, Susan Fuhrmann, Laura Geitz, Mo'onia Gerrard, Kimberlee Green, Sharni Layton, Natalie Medhurst, Chelsea Pitman. The Diamonds will face rivals New Zealand in two tests next week, before travelling to Hong Kong for a week-long training camp where they will play Samoa, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka in preparation for Singapore. Maddison Browne, Clare McMeniman, Amy Steel and Caitlin Thwaites, who narrowly missed out on World Championships selection, have been named as training partners for the Diamonds squad during their preparations.

However it is unclear if Australian coach Norma Plummer will be in charge of the Diamonds after the World Championships, after it was announced this week that she is to take over the role of head coach for the West Coast Fever in the ANZ Championships on her return from Singapore. Plummer, who has guided the Australian national side for the past eight years, has yet to announce whether she will reapply for her national role but Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer has said that there is nothing to stop her holding the two positions consecutively. Meanwhile, former Australian international player Lisa Beehag has been named as the coach of the Sydney Swifts for the 2012 season, after incumbent Julie Fitzgerald did not have her contract renewed. Also this week, championship winners the Mission Foods Queensland Firebirds have announced that winning coach Rosealee Jencke will remain in post for another year.

FISU, the International University Sports Federation, has announced that Cape Town, South Africa will host the inaugural FISU World University Netball Championships, to take place in 2012. FISU is the leading global organisation for university sport and has 153 members from national university sports federations from around the world.

Netball development across Vanuatu continues to prosper, with a series of outreach programmes planned for more of the country's 83 islands. Three of Vanuatu Netball Association's coaching and umpiring scholarship recipients are to travel to Pentecost and Malekula to run umpiring and coaching courses as well as training sessions for young players. In addition, more than 20 applicants have been successful in achieving their local umpiring badge theory certificate following an intensive training course and assessment. Congratulations to all those involved.

Experienced midcourter Nadine Bryan has been named as captain of Jamaica's Sunshine Girls for the World Championships. Bryan, who took time away from the international game prior to the 2007 competition in Auckland, wil be competing in her fourth World Championships.

World number eight-ranked side Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has also announced its World Championships squad this week. Janelle Barker will captain the side, which also includes Anastacia Wilson, who was part of Northern Thunder's squad in the UK's Netball Superleague last season. The full T&T squad is: Janelle Barker (capt), Anika La Roche (vice captain), Kielle Connelly, Joelisa Cooper, Crystal-Ann George, Candice Guerero, Onella Jack, Rhonda John-Davis, Alicia Liverpool, Tricia Liverpool, Jellene Richardson, Anastacia Wilson. T&T will complete its world championships preparations with a three match test series against tenth-ranked Barbados at the end of June.
The newly christened Scottish Thistles completed an overwhelming 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, with a 78-41 win at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow after 77-42 and 69-42 wins in the first two matches, played in Aberdeen and Kilbride.

Hertfordshire Mavericks powered into their sixth consecutive Grand Final in the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague with an impressive 55-44 victory over Northern Thunder in the competition's major semi final. Thunder, who led the league for much of the season before being struck by a series of serious injuries to key players, were unable to match the shooting accuracy of Mavericks' England international Louisa Brownfield and Monique Wood, who scored at 89% for the match. In the final, Mavericks will face either Northern Thunder or Surrey Storm, after the South East-based team stunned reigning champions 57-53 with a thrilling last quarter comeback after trailing by five goals at three-quarter time.

Netball around the world - Weekly Round Up

2011-05-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Some of Swaziland's leading umpires have been put through their paces in an intensive four day training course, headed by England umpire, Heather Gleadall. Pictured at the opening ceremony with the head of the Swaziland Sports Council is IFNA's Africa Regional Development Manager, Joan Smit and Gleadall. The umpires received technical coaching as well as practical assessment during matches between local schools and clubs and will now be taking their new found expertise back to their own regions in an effort to boost umpiring standards across the country.

The Queensland Firebirds defeated New Zealand's Northern Mystics 57-44 in the ANZ Championships Grand Final to become the first side to go undefeated throughout the competition's entire season. High intensity defensive work by the Firebirds' Laura Geitz and Clare McMeniman stifled the Mystics' possession opportunities throughout the game, and with Jamaican-born Romelda Aiken, the game's most valuable player, and Australian international Natalie Medhurst in devastating attacking form, the Firebirds cruised to their first championship victory.

Six of the ANZ Championship winning team have been rewarded with a place in the Australian Diamonds squad for 2011-2 and have now gone into camp at the AIS in Canberra for a two day selection weekend at which the reigning World Champions will select their line up to defend their title in Singapore later this year. Six uncapped players have been included in the 23 player squad, while former Jamaican international Carla Borrego is one of three players named as training partners for the squad during the selection weekend, while she awaits news of her application to become an Australian citizen.

Botswana's netball squad goes into camp this weekend as the side begins its World Championship play offs in earnest. Following the three day training camp, it is hoped to stage a four week intensive programme for the squad, as well as staging a friendly international against Malawi in the run up to the Singapore competition. Meanwhile, Malawi's preparations have been boosted by the announcement of an 18 million MKW (approx $120,000US) funding package from the country's government to finance the team's World Championships programme.

Welsh Netball hosted its annual Veterans tournament this week, with Risca Netball Club taking the title ahead of Flava Netball Club from Manchester. Congratulations to them, and to Catherine Lewis, who has been elected Chair of the Welsh Netball Association's board. And in a novel fundraising initiative, players from the Welsh National squad this week completed a 55 mile cycle ride from Cardiff to Brecon as part of the initiative to cycle the full 6969 miles between Cardiff and Singapore. Further details of their fundraising exploits can be found here: www.welshnetball.co.uk/downloads/news/cycle%20to%20Singapore.pdf.

Photograph shows participants in the recent Swaziland umpiring course, lead by Heather Gleadall.

Netball around the world - Weekly Round Up

2011-05-20T07:16:00.001-07:00

Fiji's selectors have named three new caps in the country's squad for the Pacific Series and the World Netball Championships in July. Elenoa Vatureba, Afa Rusivakula and Makelesi Mulevoro are included in the national squad for the first time, while Matila Waqanidrola will captain the team. Seruwaia Vonolagi has been named vice captain. The remainder of the squad comprises Luse Kotobalavu, Maria Lutua, Teimumu Moce, Simione Nalatu, Mere Rabuka and Vaiti Waqatabu.

South Africa's Proteas overcame a seven goal defecit to take the final test against Trinidad and Tobago 55-47 and take the series between the two teams 3-0. The introduction of Gauteng North goalkeeper Vanes-Mari du Toit at the start of the third quarter provided the impetus which inspired the home team to make three quick interceptions from the whistle, which were converted with ease and having drawn level, the Proteas were then able to move ahead thanks to some accurate shooting from Claudia Basson and Christina Anna Bootha. South Africa won the first test 57-38 and the second 60-52.

In Swaziland, more than 20 candidates are taking part in a four day umpiring course, run by England's Heather Gleadall. The National Netball Association of Swaziland has co-ordinated the course with the aim of improving the standard of officiating across the country and all the candidates will be assessed on the final day of the course in competitive situations.

Seven players have been shortlisted for the UK's Fiat Superleague player of the year. Grenada's Lottysha Cato, who has made a huge impact on the competition in her first year as part of the Celtic Dragons line up, has been included in the list, along with current holder of the title Pamela Cookey. Former England captain Olivia Murphy has been named, following an excellent season as player-coach for Loughborough Lightning. Other players in contention are Sara Bayman (Northern Thunder), Stacey Francis (TeamBath), Tamsin Greenway (Surrey Storm) and Layla Guscoth (Hertfordshire Mavericks). The winner will be named during the competition's Grand Final, to be played on 9 June.

LG Mystics defender Kayla Cullen has been named as the 2011 ANZ Championship Best Young Player award, in only her second season of competition at this level. Cullen, who was also named in the ANZ Championship All Star team, was unanimously selected by the expert panel of judges comprising national selectors and former internationals from Australia and New Zealand. Southern Steel's Leana de Bruin and Queensland Firebirds' Natalie Medhurst are the joint recipients of the championship's MVP award.

Cullen will be back in action for the LG Mystics this weekend, after they edged into their first ANZ Grand Final with the narrowest of wins, 43-42 over the First Windows Waikato/BOP Magic in the preliminary final last week. In the competition's first ever all-New Zealand play off fixture, Mystics put on a surge in the second quarter to put the result beyond doubt and despite a second half fight back from the Magic, the Auckland-based Mystics held on to move into their first Grand Final.

Netball around the world - Weekly Round Up

2011-05-06T08:22:00.001-07:00

Jamaica took a 2-1 series victory over close rivals England in the Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series played in Kingston this week. After taking the first match 57-56, Jamaica put in a dogged performance to withstand a final quarter onslaught in test two to run out 55-53 winners with GS Jhanielle Fowler (pictured above) in outstanding form, netting 53 of her side's goals. However, England retained their number three world ranking by taking the final match of the series 54-51. Fowler is pictured in action during the final test match, taking the ball ahead of England's Beckford Chambers and Francis.

The three Jamaican coaches responsible for the Sunshine Girls during the series have now been interviewed for the position of head coach at this summer's World Championships. Connie Francis, Oberon Pitterson and Annette Daly have been quizzed by a selection panel which included JNA Chair Dorothy Hobson and former Australia coach Jill McIntosh and an announcement on the new head coach's appointment is expected shortly.

South Africa's Spar Proteas lifted the Tri-Nations trophy in Botswana this week, having gone through the competition against the home nation and Singapore undefeated. But South Africa coach Elize Kotze was quick to praise Botswana for their marked improvement since the two sides last met. The three teams taking part in the competition have been grouped together with Jamaica in the initial rounds of the World Championships, and were using the championships to gauge how their preparations were progressing. South Africa now return home where they will face Trindad and Tobago in a test series which starts next week.

Pakistan's ANC National Junior U17 championships concluded last weekend, with Karachi defeating Hyderabad 25-18, inspired by a dominant shooting performance by Umama Qadri. Third place was taken by Sargodha, who beat Lahore 12-7. The competition, organised in collaboration with the Australian Sports Commission, featured eight teams from across the country including a side from the Hamza Special Childrens' Foundation in Lahore.

Australian side the Queensland Firebirds completed their ANZ Championship season undefeated with a 69-52 win over the Canterbury Tactix to seal the minor premiership. The Firebirds now move into their first play off series, where they will face last season's Championship runners up, the Waikato/BOP Magic in the major semi final. In the final round of league competition, the Magic were in dominant form to defeat the Haier Central Pulse 60-50 to take second place on the ladder.

The minor semi final will feature the LG Mystics, another side making its debut in the play offs and the Sydney Swifts. In the final round of matches, the LG Mystics were too strong for the Southern Steel, emerging 47-35 victors, while the Swifts stole the final play off spot from the Melbourne Phoenix, with a 45-33 win.

Anna Thompson has been named as the final player in New Zealand's World Championships squad for the Singapore competition. Thompson, who made her international senior debut in 2009 and has four international caps so far, starred in the New Zealand team which won last year's World Fastnet Championships and replaces Cathrine Latu, whose application to play for New Zealand was recently overturned by the Court for Arbitration in Sport.

Finally, the holders, National Insurance Corporation of Uganda, have successfully retained their East Africa clubs championships title, edging out JKT 50-42 in the final. The week long competition included three teams from Zanzibar as well as sides from across Uganda, Tanzania and the rest of the East African region. Congratulations to NIC.

Netball around the world - Weekly Round Up

2011-04-28T02:18:00.000-07:00

Botswana's netballers received a timely boost to their World Championships preparations this week, ahead of this weekend's tri-nations competition to be held in Gaborone. The Botswana Netball Association has announced an increased sponsorship package for the national squad of BP150,000 (approx $23,500US) from Motor Centre Botswana, which will assist in funding the team's build up to the Singapore competition. The money will also be used to support the country's U21 side, which is preparing for the Confederation of South African Netball Association competition, to be played in Namibia later this year (picture shows Botswana – in light blue – in action during the 2010 competition).

World number three England were shocked by a fierce fight back in the last period of the first test against Jamaica in Kingston, letting slip a four goal lead at three quarter time to go down 57-56 to the fourth-ranked home side. The second test takes place in Kingston tonight (Thursday) with the final game on Saturday and while both teams are currently without key personnel who are playing in the ANZ Championships, taking a winning psychological advantage into the Singapore World Championships will be of prime importance to both coaches.

Netball Fiji has announced that the coaching duties for the national squad are to be shared in the run up to the Singapore World Championships, with Gabriel Qoro and Una Rokoura taking personal responsibility for specific areas of training. Fiji's national selectors made the decision after the side's recent tour of Australia and hope that it will ensure the team (currently touring New Zealand) will be better prepared for the World Championships.

Four of the five nominees for the ANZ Championship young player of the year award have now been named: 19 year old Kayla Cullen of the Northern Mystics is nominated for the second year in a row, along with Ashleigh Brazill (NSW Swifts), Chelsea Pitman (Queensland Firebirds) and Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick (Waikato BOP Magic). The final nominee will be announced during this weekend's round of matches and the winner announced during the Grand Final week in May.

With only one round of the regular ANZ Championship season remaining, only two sides have confirmed their place in the play offs. The Mission Foods Queensland Firebirds withstood a spirited performance from the West Coast Fever to maintain their unbeaten position at the top of the table 56-54, while the Waikato BOP Magic were impressive in overcoming last season's champions the Adelaide Thunderbirds 55-36 and both are now assured of their spot in the final weeks of the competition. However, behind them, three teams are left to fight it out for the remaining two play off places – the Melbourne Vixens, Sydney Swifts and Northern Mystics are tied on points, and with the Vixens and Swifts facing off against each other in Melbourne in the final round of matches, a win for the Northern Mystics away to the Southern Steel could propel the New Zealand side into their first ANZ Championship finals series.

Thilaka Jinabasa from Sri Lanka has arrived in Brunei to take up her position as the country's new national netball coach. Jinabasa, who was appointed by Brunei's Ministry for Culture Youth and Sport to improve the standards of netball played across the country, as well as focusing on the national squad's performances, is targetting 2013 for Brunei's first appearance in international competitions. IFNA anticipates Brunei will apply for IFNA membership this year.

Australia's selectors have named the country's U21 squad for 2011 which will tour New Zealand in June. Eight of the athletes named have moved up from last year's U19 team, while the defensive group features four players - Chanel Gomez (West Coast Fever), April Letton (Queensland Firebirds), Kate Shimmin (Adelaide Thunderbirds) and Micaela Wilson (Melbourne Vixens) – who have gained ANZ Championship experience this season, along with Maddy Proud (Adelaide Thunderbirds) and Ameliaranne Wells (Queensland Firebirds). The remainder of the squad, which will play a three match test series against its New Zealand counter parts, is: Shannon Eagland, Sarah East, Nicola Gray, Stephanie Puopolo, Verity Simmons and Stephanie Wood.

Finally Anderson High School from the remote Shetland Islands are celebrating this week, after scooping the Open Gold Scottish Schools Netball cup, defeating Holy Cross High School from Hamilton 43-29. Congratulations to them.

Cathrine Latu CAS finds case inadmissible

2011-04-26T05:51:00.000-07:00

Under the current IFNA regulations Cathrine Latu, who played for Samoa in the last World Netball Championships 2007, is ineligible to play for New Zealand in the forthcoming World Netball Championships 2011.

Netball New Zealand requested IFNA to exercise discretion in favour of Latu on the basis that there were exceptional circumstances, and that request was denied in March 2009 and again in October 2009. According to the CAS Arbitration Rules an appeal against a federation ruling must be submitted within 21 days of receipt of the decision. The appeal in this case was only filed in December 2010 and the CAS determined on Thursday 21st April 2011 that the case was inadmissible as it was submitted out of time.

The decision of CAS is final and binding on both parties. The Board decision refusing to exercise discretion in favour of Cathrine Latu stands and accordingly she will not be eligible to play for New Zealand in the forthcoming World Netball Championships which takes place in July 2011 in Singapore.

IFNA spokesperson Urvasi Naidoo, IFNA Chief Executive Officer, stated that IFNA was glad that the case had been resolved and that the international netball community could now fully concentrate on preparations for the Championships.

2011-04-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

South African netball has taken a step towards professionalism this week, with the announcement of a new competition – the Netball Grand Series (NGS). Conceived and developed by former Proteas captain Dr Eljse Jordaan (pictured in action against New Zealand), the competition will replace the current National Netball League (NNL) and will feature eight regional teams: the Black Diamonds (Gauteng Central and West), Stalight Jets (Gauteng Ekurheleni, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Vaal), Galaxy Blues (Gauteng North and Limpopo), Red Kestrels (North West), Lightning Roses (Free State and Griqualand West), Kingdom Queens (KwaZulu-Natal and Ethekweni), Ibhayi Gales (Nelson Mandela Bay and the Western Cape) and Western Storms (Western Province and Boland). A schools competition, featuring 48 teams (eight from each region) will run concurrently with the NGS, with schools matches played as curtain raisers to the league games. It is hoped that this will enable talent identification and provide a development path for young players to the U21 South Africa squad.

Offering a rare opportunity for Botswanan netballers to watch international netball on home soil, the Botswana Netball Association has announced it will host a tri-nations tournament from 30 April to 1 May to include Singapore and South Africa. A sprung wooden court has been obtained from the South African Netball Association – something which many Botswanan netballers have only encountered for the first time when playing at the World Championships.

England's netballers arrive in Jamaica this weekend for a three match test series against the Sunshine Girls as both sides prepare for this summer's World Championships. There was a blow to the Jamaican side, as it was announced this week that experienced defender Kasey Evering, has reinjured her surgically restructured left knee while playing in the ANZ Championships, and will miss this summer's World Championships while undergoing an extensive rehabilitation programme.

New Zealand this week named their squad for the World Netball Championships, experienced defender Joline Henry has also been included in the squad, despite missing much of the current ANZ Championships season, but must pass a medical assessment before competing. The full New Zealand squad is: Leana de Bruin, Temepara George (vice captain), Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin, Joline Henry (subject to medical approval), Laura Langman, Leana Leota, Cathrine Latu (subject to eligibility approval), Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene Van Dyk, Casey Williams (captain),

Australian international Simone McKinnis has tendered her resignation as coach of Tanzania's international squad, following a troubled four month stay in the country.

England retained the Netball Europe championships in the Open, U19 and U17 age groups, despite fielding an experimental side in the Open section, which was designed to test the strength in depth available to coach Sue Hawkins. All three sides were undefeated across the weekend's competitions.

2011-04-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

South Africa's netballers have linked their preparations for this summer's World Championships with their government's latest initiative, Magnificent Fridays, which aims to galvanise support across the country for the national teams as they participate in international fixtures. From now until the World Netball Championships, Proteas fans are being encouraged to show their support for the South African side by wearing green and gold t-shirts every Friday, following similar campaigns before last year's football World Cup and the recent Cricket World Cup. It is hoped that the initiative will inspire supporters of all ages to get behind the national team as they prepare for the Singapore competition, while events will be co-ordinated on Fridays across the country to encourage participation among players of all ages. For more information, visit the Netball South Africa website at http://www.netball-sa.co.za/ - members of the national squad are pictured in their new green and gold tops.

Jamaica's selectors have announced that they will name their 12 player squad for the World Netball Championships after the completion of the three test Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series, to be played against England at the end of April. World number three England will be without midcourter Sara Bayman for this series, and for the World Netball Championships, after the centre court suffered a knee ligament injury while playing for Northern Thunder in the UK Fiat Netball SuperLeague last week.

Following the season ending Achilles injury suffered by Sharelle McMahon, Netball Australia has this week promoted Natalie Von Bertouch to the role of captain for the World Netball Championships. In addition to McMahon, defending champions, the Australian Diamonds, will also be unable to select midcourt player Lauren Nourse, who tore a knee ligament in the ANZ Championships this week and is now out for the rest of the season.

Australia-based shooter Matelita Shaw Tadulala has withdrawn her name from the Fiji squad selected for the World Netball Championships. Tadulala, who was called into the squad in place of the injured Taraima Rara earlier this year, is understood to have been unable to commit to staying in Fiji between now and the July competition. A decision on her replacement is expected shortly. Meanwhile, former New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering will assist the Fiji squad on their Australia training tour, which starts on 25 April.

The Brunei Darussalam Schools Sports Council team MSSB emerged as champions in the sixth Brunei Netball Association President's Cup Open Championship this week, defeating Ivy League 23-20 in the final. The winners received a trophy from the President of the Brunei NA as well as a prize of $500. The three day competition, which featured 11 teams from across the country, aims to provide increased match play and improve national playing standards as well as giving umpires greater opportunity to experience high level competition.

In the ANZ Championships, the Queensland Firebirds defeated the Melbourne Vixens 57-36 to ensure their first appearance in the end of season finals series. However, with three regular rounds of competition remaining, four teams are still in contention for the other three finals places, with the Vixens, Sydney Swifts, Northern Mystics and Waikato BOP Magic still fighting for points. In the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague, Hertfordshire Mavericks remain at the top of the table, followed by Northern Thunder, reigning champions TeamBath and Surrey Storm with four rounds of regular competition remaining.

Netball Around the World

2011-04-07T07:16:00.001-07:00

Vanuatu's youngest netballers will benefit from a new sponsorship agreement signed this week, between the Vanuatu Netball Association and Westpac Bank. In addition to providing financial assistance with development programmes for the youngest players across the country, Westpac's new sponsorship package includes prizes for junior competitions as well as advice for young players on money management from Westpac's financial experts. Moana Korikalo from Westpac is pictured signing the new agreement with members of Vanuatu's Development team. Meanwhile, additional funding through the Pacific Netball Partnership has enabled the Vanuatu Netball Association to extend its outreach programme across the country, and this week the country's Netball Development Officer has implemented the first activity of the year. Along with two scholarship winners, Beverley Ligo has travelled to the provinces of Santo, Ambae and Malekula to implement a series of training programmes, encompassing coaching, umpiring, management and bench official duties.

Netball Fiji has received a timely boost for its preparations for this summer's Mission Foods World Netball Championships, with an award of $F3,000 (approx $US1,600) from the country's Social Welfare Ministry. Having completed a successful training tour in Australia, Fiji's netballers hope to tour both New Zealand and Papua New Guinea ahead of the July competition.

Netball Australia confirmed this week that Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon will not be available for the World Championships in July. McMahon, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the ANZ Championship last week, has undergone surgery and is now recuperating at home while she considers whether to attempt a comeback at international level when her recovery is complete.

October will see four of the world's top seven teams taking part in two international matches to be held in Perth, Australia, in the week leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It was announced this week that world number six, South Africa, will face world number seven, Malawi, as a curtain-raiser to the planned Australia v New Zealand trans-Tasman clash, which will form part of the Constellation Cup challenge for 2011.

Irene Van Dyk, the world's most capped netballer, made her 100th appearance for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic franchise this week. But the shooter's celebrations were cut short as her team failed to overcome ANZ Championship leaders the Queensland Firebirds, with the Australia side running out 53-49 winners over the league's second placed side. At the other end of the table, the Central Pulse recorded multiple wins for the first time in the competition, after pulling out a gritty 63-61 extra time win over the West Coast Fever. More than 5,000 supporters attended the Northern Mystics / Canterbury Tactix game in Auckland, which was played as a fundraiser to help rebuild the Canterbury Netball headquarters damaged in February's earthquake. However, the Mystics were not so charitable on court, taking the game 58-45 to move level on points with the Magic.

Finally, IFNA President, Molly Rhone, together with Vice President, Kereyn Smith and CEO, Urvasi Naidoo, this week attended the SportAccord in London, to represent the interests of netball. The SportAccord Convention is a 6-day gathering of 1500 leading representatives from international sport. The annual convention is held in a different country each year and encompasses the Congress and General Assemblies of over 100 International Sports Federations (IFs) and their related Associations.

Netball around the World

2011-04-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Australian Diamonds' preparations to defend their World Championship crown in Singapore suffered a serious set back this week, after inspirational captain Sharelle McMahon suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon in the ANZ Championships. McMahon, 34, who currently holds 118 international caps, was carried from the court with three minutes to play in the Melbourne Vixens match against the Queensland Firebirds and is set for scans and possible surgery today (Friday).
Picture shows Sharelle McMahon in action, winning her 100th international cap for Australia against New Zealand.

In the ANZ Championship, the Queensland Firebirds maintained their undefeated record for the 2011 season, defeating the Vixens 52-42. The First Windows Waikato/BOP Magic cemented their second position in the table with a thrilling 42-41 victory against the West Coast Fever. Meanwhile, the Canterbury Tactix overcame the emotion of returning to their Christchurch home court for the first time since February's earthquake to score a gritty 49-44 win against the Southern Steel.

Christchurch netballers were given a boost this week by a fundraising initiative organised jointly by ANZA and Netball Singapore. More than 260 children aged 6-13 attended the event, which included coaching and a demonstration match by players currently participating in the country's Netball Superleague. More than S$2,200 was collected to be donated to Netball Christchurch for their rebuilding programme.

In the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague, Northern Thunder lost for the first time this season, going down 50-46 to former champions Hertfordshire Mavericks. Meanwhile, reigning champions TeamBath lost 50-52 to a spirited Loughborough Lightning performance, which leaves the West Country side in fourth place in the league, behind Mavericks, Thunder and Surrey Storm – 61-46 victors against Leeds Carnegie.

Singapore's national squad will travel to Botswana in April for a week-long series of matches against some of Africa's best sides. In addition to the home nation, Singapore will face South Africa and Malawi, while the visit will enable coach Kate Carpenter to finalise her selections for the World Championships.

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls took the third match of their series against Trinidad and Tobago 52-26 to complete a 3-0 victory over their neighbours. Jamaican selectors are now expected to review performances across the series before naming the country's World Championships squad this weekend.

Netball continues to grow in popularity in Sri Lanka, and this week saw the conclusion of the country's International Schools Netball Competition. Gateway College emerged victorious in the O15 section, defeating Asian International School 19-8 in the final.

Netball around the World

2011-03-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

With 100 days to go to the start of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011, Netball Singapore today (Friday) unveiled the mascot for the competition. Netalia, the lion club (pictured above) was named by Jody Harris of Australia after a world-wide competition. The mascot will now tour schools across Singapore to generate interest in the competition. Netball Singapore this week also confirmed that more than $S1million (£US795,000) has already been raised in sponsorship for the Championships, which get under way on 3 July.

The umpires for the Mission Foods World Netball Championships have also been announced this week. Those appointed by IFNA to officiate are: Rachel Ayre, Paula Ferguson, Sharon Kelly, Clare McCabe, Kate Wright (all from Australia), Marion Johnson Hurley (Barbados), Gary Burgess, Judith Groves, Louise Travis (all from England), Dalton Hinds (Jamaica), Liz Boon, Jonathan Bredin, Bobbi Brown, Bronwyn Meek, Mandy Nottingham (all from New Zealand), Theresa Prince (South Africa), Joel Young Strong (Trinidad and Tobago).

The venue for the 2015 World Netball Championships has been announced, with Sydney edging out Manchester for the right to host the event. Netball Australia has vowed to work with IFNA to further develop netball among the emerging nations in the run up to the championships while IFNA delegates considering the bid were impressed by Sydney's facilities, a legacy from the 2000 Olympics. The city last hosted the competition in 1991, the first time that the Championships were held in an indoor stadium, when Australia defeated New Zealand 53-52 in a thrilling final.

South Africa's selectors have this week named their squad to compete at the World Netball Championships, with six changes to the line up. Former captain Lizel Wium and vice captain Precious Mthembu have both been ruled out of the competition through injury, so Amanda Myndhardt has been named as captain, with Nthabiseng Moabi as vice captain. The full squad is: Claudia Basson, Christina Anna Bootha, Erin Burger, Zykelwa Cwaba, Nosiphiwo Goda, Maryka Hotzhausen, Tsakane Mbewe, Nthabiseng Moabi, Karla Mostert, Amanda Mynhardt (capt), Nokuthula Qegu, Carine Terblanche, Vaness-Mari Du Toit, Leigh-Ann Zackey.

The government of Tanzania has confirmed this week that it will work to iron out problems with the contract of new national coach Simone McKinnis, after she encountered problems on arriving in the country late last year. Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi has presented a car to Chaneta, the governing body for netball in Tanzania, to be provided to McKinnis on her return to the country, and he has committed the government to fulfilling the terms of her employment in full.

Fiji's netballers have enjoyed mixed results on their Australian tour, losing to Sydney University 40-48 and 38-52 to club side Eastwood Ryde before notching up their first win with a 38-37 victory over the New South Wales Institute of Sport. The week-long tour aims to provide the squad with high level competitive experience as well as giving the country's selectors the chance to view players in pressure situations ahead of naming the Fiji squad to take part in the World Netball Championships, and Pacific Series later this year.

The Canterbury Tactix will play their postponed ANZ Championship game against Northern Mystics in Auckland on 7 April, with all proceeds from admission fees to benefit the Tactix and Canterbury Netball. The game, originally postponed after it was scheduled to be played five days after the February 22 earthquake, will be played at Auckland's Vector Arena, after its owners offered the venue free of charge for the game.

This weekend sees the ANZ Championship's Rivalry Round, where each match features a trans-Tasman match up. Scores will be totalled at the end of play, with the country netting the largest number of aggregate goals taking the 2011 Rivalry Round trophy, currently held by Australia. Undefeated league leaders the Queensland Firebirds will travel to Auckland to face the LG Mystics while Melbourne Vixens host the Mercury Energy Tactix. The Haier Pulse will hope to repeat last week's winning ways when they welcome the NSW Swifts to Wellington. The final two matches of the competition match the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel against the Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever against the First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

Northern Thunder remain undefeated at the top of this year's Fiat Netball SuperLeague in the UK, after a 69-39 win against Leeds Carnegie to make it eight games without loss. The Thunder now face a busy weekend with fixtures against Celtic Dragons tonight (Friday) and Mavericks on Monday.

International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) announces umpires appointed for Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011

2011-03-24T09:21:00.001-07:00

IFNA has now appointed the umpires who will officiate at the forthcoming Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011.
The 13th World Netball Championships will be held in Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium between 3rd to 10th July 2011. The Championships take place every four years.
The 16 Participating Teams in 2011 are: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malawi, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago and Wales.
The umpires appointed are as follows:

Australia
Rachael Ayre
Paula Ferguson
Sharon Kelly
Clare McCabe
Kate Wright
Barbados
Marion Johnson-Hurley
England
Gary Burgess
Judith Groves
Louise Travis
Jamaica
Dalton Hinds
New Zealand
Liz Boon
Jonathan Bredin
Bobbi Brown
Bronwyn Meek
Mandy Nottingham
South Africa
Theresa Prince
Trinidad & Tobago
Joel Young Strong

Fans across the globe are being encouraged to buy tickets early to secure a place at the top class event. Tickets can be purchased from the event website http://www.wnc2011.com/

Further information available from IFNA
ifna@netball.org

IFNA announces host for World Netball Championships 2015

2011-03-19T13:26:00.001-07:00

Sydney, Australia will host the 14th World Netball Championships in 2015. The decision was announced today by netball’s world governing body IFNA (International Federation of Netball Associations) following a meeting of the IFNA Board of Directors.

Sydney was competing against Manchester to host the Championships. The IFNA Board appointed an Evaluation Committee to visit both cities and undertake a comprehensive evaluation process.

The Evaluation Committee found that the standard of both bids was extremely high but Sydney had a number of features which were exceptional. The Sydney Olympic Park precinct will provide an extraordinary environment for the athletes, with world class accommodation, training and competition venues all within walking distance. This, in combination with a commitment to deliver “the most commercially successful World Netball Championships ever”, was central to the decision appointing Sydney as the successful host city for 2015.

Molly Rhone, President of IFNA commented: “I am delighted to confirm that the World Netball Championships 2015 will be held at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. Sydney Olympic Park is truly magnificent and will provide unique infrastructure, facilities, venues and accommodation for our event. We are certain that athletes, officials and spectators will have an amazing experience in Sydney and we look forward to working with New South Wales Events and Netball Australia as they commence their preparations.”

Netball’s hottest competition returns to Liverpool!

2011-03-17T21:05:00.001-07:00

International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) announces Echo Arena Liverpool to host World Netball Series 2011

This year the Echo Arena Liverpool will once again host the World Netball Series. IFNA announced the decision today on behalf of the event’s stakeholder group which includes England Netball, Liverpool City Council and the Echo Arena Liverpool.

The three day competition will commence on Friday 25thNovember and will conclude on Sunday 27thNovember with a celebratory Gala Dinner on the Sunday evening. Molly Rhone, President of IFNA commented: “I am delighted to confirm that this year’s World Netball Series will again be held at the Echo Arena Liverpool. Teams, officials and spectators really enjoyed the thrilling Fast Net competition last year. We know that this year will be even better and we look forward to another warm welcome from Liverpool City and the staff at the Echo Arena Liverpool. New Zealand has won the trophy for two years in a row and will be looking to defend their title but this tournament promises to be a very closely fought contest between the top six teams in the world”

The six countries competing in the competition, in IFNA World Ranking order are; New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Fiji. According to the IFNA World Rankings the top teams in the world have shifted slightly with Fiji replacing Malawi from the event last year.

Another boisterous atmosphere is expected at the Echo Arena over the weekend with the event once again due to attract netball lovers in their thousands.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon said: “We are proud that this popular event is returning to the city for the second time. To be hosting the top six teams in the world means netball fans will be able to watch the sport at its very best. I’m sure the competitors and visitors, who will be arriving here from across the globe, will enjoy a typically warm Liverpool welcome.”

England Netball has taken the lead this year for the commercialisation of the event. Any parties interested in working with England Netball to deliver the commercial objectives of the stakeholder group should contact Joanna Adams, England Netball’s Head of Marketing joanna.adams@englandnetball.co.uk

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday 18th March. An early bird offer will be available until Sunday 8th May where you can save 17% on match tickets! To purchase your tickets and for further details visit http://www.echoarena.com/

Picture shows Jamaica v England last year.

Netball around the world

2011-03-12T05:30:00.000-08:00

Namibian netballer Jatjinda “Toetsie” Kambatuku is to become her country's first representative in an overseas league competition, after accepting an invitation to join the Team Northumbria franchise in the UK's Superleague for the remainder of the season. Kambatuku, who arrived in England this week, first represented her country in 2006 and has since become a regular fixture in the Namibian side, playing in the African Nations Cup, COSANA Games and Nations Cup in Singapore. She is pictured receiving a cheque from the All Nambibia Netball Association (ANNA) as a contribution to her expenses while living in England.

Northern Thunder remains the only undefeated side in the Fiat Netball Superleague, after a thrilling 52-49 win over reigning champions TeamBath in front of a record crowd at the Bath University Training Village. However, last season's runners-up Mavericks are still on top of the league table, having played two games more than Thunder: this week, they recorded a 47-24 win over Glasgow Wildcats.

Scotiabank has this week renewed its support for the Jamaica Netball Association U13 and U16 development programmes with a $J12 million (approx $140,000) commitment over the next three years. The new sponsorship agreement will also cover the development of a new umpiring support programme as well as providing funding for one U21 player in the run up to the World Youth Championships in Glasgow in 2013.

Still in Jamaica, former Australian coach Jill McIntosh has now commenced her five month placement as technical director for the Sunshine Girls. Working alongside coach Connie Francis and assistant coaches Annette Daley, Oberon Pitterson and Minneth Reynolds, McIntosh is developing and implementing a strategic plan which aims to improve Jamaica's performances at international level.

Dubai A turned the tables on Abu Dhabi A to be crowned champions in the 25th annual Inter-Gulf Netball Championships, played at the Hilton Hotel, Al Ain. The Abu Dhabi side had won the tournament for the past two years, defeating Dubai on both occasions but this year, Dubai A were in no mood for defeat, leading from the start of the final and taking the title 14-7. The British School Al Khubairat's U19 A team won the Social Cup title. More than 200 players in 25 teams from across the Gulf took part in the competition.

24 coaches and students from Budehaven School in the UK will be travelling to Ethiopia later this month as part of a Dreams and Teams Project in association with the Youth Sport Trust. The Budehaven party will run workshops designed to improve a broad range of learning and literacy skills for players, coaches and umpires and will work with teachers from 15 districts in and around Assossa to extend netball's reach across the region.

The Queensland Firebirds and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic remain undefeated at the top of the ANZ Championship table, but the Magic were pushed all the way this week by a gritty performance from the Mercury Energy Tactix, before winning 63-56 after extra time. It was a poignant first game for the Tactix since the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February but the side showed no signs of missing out on training time, pushing the star-studded Magic side all the way in a thrilling encounter.

Netball Around the World

2011-03-04T05:13:00.000-08:00

Former Netball Fiji coach Yvonne Willering and Melbourne Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg have agreed to assist Fiji with the national side's preparations for this summer's World Championships. Willering will be on the island in the next two weeks to help coach Gabriel Qoro in the run up to the Pacific Series while Hoornweg, who coached Fiji to sixth place at the 1999 World Netball Championships, will work closely with the squad in the run up to Singapore. Mai TV Fiji has announced this week that it has secured the rights to air the Mission Foods World Netball Championships live across Oceania. All 34 matches will be covered, with Samoa and Fiji's games aired free. Stations in Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Cook Islands are also expected to show coverage of the championships. Also this week IFNA announced the match schedule for the Championships. Ticket sales have been steady and fans are advised to book now to avoid disappointment.

Following last week's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, the Canterbury Tactix home game against Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic has been moved to Rotorua. The Tactix home venue, the CBS Canterbury Arena, sustained significant damage during the earthquake and is not expected to be ready to host events until after 15 March. After the costs of moving the match have been covered, it is expected that the Tactix will donate a proportion of the ticket sales revenue to the earthquake relief fund.

Australian defender Julie Corletto made a welcome return to the court this week, after missing the Commonwealth Games with a serious knee injury. Corletto, who has 20 international caps to date, successfully negotiated two quarters for Boondara in the Holden Cruze Cup and has been cleared by the Melbourne Vixens physio team to rejoin the ANZ squad for this weekend's crucial fixture against New Zealand's Northern Mystics. The Queensland Firebirds and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic are currently tied at the top of the table with three wins from three games, with the Vixens (2/2) and Mystics (2/3) right behind them.

The Namibian netball season starts this weekend with an Open tournament to be held in the Khomas region. Namibia's national side will play an exhibition match to open proceedings before the competition, which is open to all club and school sides, gets under way.

Hertfordshire Mavericks remain at the top of the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague, two points ahead of reigning champions TeamBath and the league's only undefeated side Northern Thunder. However, the team from the North West were given a scare this week by a fast improving Celtic Dragons squad, before finally taking the win 50-44. Dragons' head coach Melissa Hyndman was once again full of praise for her star Grenadan shooter Lottysha Cato, who netted 32 goals from 39 attempts to keep the Welsh side in contention right through to the final whistle.

Netball continues to make inroads in France, with news of two club sides which are now training and playing regularly in Paris and Montpellier. Any players or administrators interested in getting involved should email: ruthhelme@gmail.com or joya.belic@gmail.com.

Finally news from Ethiopia, who are now holding a local competition between the Nigat and Ruhama schools. The competition was very well attended and the Nigat school netball team was the winner so congratulations to them and to the organisers for getting Ethiopia netball well and truly on the map. Picture shows the girls in action.

2011-03-03T04:22:00.000-08:00

International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) announce match schedule for Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011

Netball fans world-wide are in for a treat as the playing schedule for the fast approaching World Netball Championships 2011 is announced.

The top sixteen netball nations in the world will come together in Singapore in July this year to compete in this key event.

Fans across the globe are being encouraged to buy tickets early to secure a place at the top class event. Tickets can be purchased from the event website http://www.wnc2011.com

The 13th World Netball Championships will be held in Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium between 3rd – 10th July 2011. The Championships take place every four years. The last Championships took place in 2007 in New Zealand, the Gold medal was won by Australia with New Zealand taking silver and Jamaica bronze.

The 16 Participating Teams in 2011 are: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malawi, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago and Wales.

For Full Match Schedule visit IFNA Website: http://www.netball.org/news.aspx?id=461

Netball Around the World

2011-02-25T08:08:00.001-08:00

Netballers in New Zealand are counting themselves lucky to have survived this week's devastating earthquake in Christchurch. The Canterbury Tactix are seeking an alternative venue for their ANZ Championship match, scheduled for 7 March against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, after the CBS Stadium sustained significant damage during Tuesday's quake. Southern Steel manager Gail Maclaughlan and shooter Sophia Fenwick, who were both in Christchurch at the time, escaped unhurt, while the West Coast Fever squad counted themselves lucky to fly out of Christchurch airport less than an hour before the quake struck, after scoring a 54-48 win over the Tactix the previous evening. The ANZ Championship and Netball NZ will recognise those affected by the earthquake during the third round of matches this weekend, with athletes and officials at all matches wearing black armbands and a moment's silence held before the start of each match. Volunteers will also be collecting donations for the Red Cross NZ Earthquake Relief fund at each game. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the eathquake.

England is mourning the loss of Mary Thomas MBE who passed away on the 23rd February. Mary was an England Netball Honorary Life Member and a Member of their Hall of Fame. She was an umpire for over 25 years between 1950 -1976 and was an IFNA Service Award holder. She made a life time commitment to netball and will be sadly missed.

Grenada's first professional netballer Lottysha Cato continued her outstanding form in the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague this week, netting 35 goals from 40 attempts as Celtic Dragons swept past Team Northumbria 60-22 to give the Welsh side their second win of the season. Six foot six inch Cato, who travelled to Wales in January, had previously represented her island at U23 and senior level, and hopes to provide coaching advice and inspiration to local netballers on her return in May. In other matches, former champions Mavericks defeated Loughborough Lightning 55-39 to move to the top of the table while current titleholders TeamBath were too strong for Leeds Carnegie, emerging 69-33 victors after an impressive second half surge.

Other Caribbean netballers received a welcome boost this week with the announcement that lottery operator Supreme Ventures Ltd has increased its sponsorship commitment to Jamaica's netball leagues. $46,000US has been donated to the Jamaica Netball Association to sponsor the island's A and C leagues, while additional funds have been made available to fund six scholarships for outstanding players from both competitions to assist with their educational commitments.

Netball NZ has announced a new four year broadcast partnership this week, which will ensure that domestic and international netball will be shown exclusively on Sky TV until 2015. This is the largest commercial deal to be signed by a women's sport in New Zealand. The organisation's free to air partnership has also been reviewed, with Prime TV announced as Netball NZ's new partner in this arena to give viewers the opportunity for live and delayed broadcast coverage for netball.

Fiji's netballers have introduced some new training methods as they prepare for this summer's World Championships in Singapore. This weekend, the national squad will be spending three days with the Republic of Fiji Military Force, working on team building as well as military fitness training and problem solving.

In Namibia, the first coaching development clinic for 2011 concluded in Khomas this week under the watchful eye of Wency Katjatako. Participants including school and club coaches received tuition in sports nutrition, skills and player development during the clinic and it is hoped that they will pass on this information to players across the country. A further coaching clinic will take place this weekend in Reheboth, with more planned for the remainder of the year.

Netball around the world

2011-02-18T04:55:00.001-08:00

Netballers in Botswana are in mourning this week after the sudden death of national squad player Gonewamang Mosalakatane, aged 32, after a short illness. Mosalakatane, known affectionately as “Killer”, represented club side BDF Cats as well as her country at U17, U19, U21 and senior levels and was considered one of the country's finest Goal Attacks. Most recently, she was part of the Botswana squad (pictured above she is the smallest player right in the centre) which qualified from the Africa Zone to take part in the World Championships in Singapore later this year. A memorial service was held for Killer this week, attended by many of Botswana's leading netball names, and her funeral will take place this weekend. Sincere condolences to all those involved in netball in Botswana and to her family.

With less than five months to the start of this year's World Championships, tournament organisers in Singapore have announced that the top level season ticket packages, offering access for the whole tournament or for the final three days, have sold out. More than half of the 3,000 Gold and Platinum packages were sold to buyers from New Zealand and Australia, and organisers are confident of crowds in excess of 8,000 for the last three days of the competition, with a sell-out 10,000 audience expected for the final.

Netballers in the Solomon Islands will have increased access to the game in the coming months, thanks to a $60,000S (approx $7,000US) grant from GRM International, which will be used to upgrade courts in Honiara, as well as to support the country's ongoing umpire development programme. Netball is the most popular sport for women in the Solomon Islands, and the fourth most popular sport across the country as a whole.

Fiji's national squad also received a sponsorship boost this week, with an award of $2,000F (approx $1,100US) by the country's national newspaper The Fiji Times towards the side's participation in the upcoming World Championships. Fiji Netball, which requires $600,000F to take part in the competition, has already raised more than $200,000F and will be staging another fundraising drive this weekend in Latuoka.

The Sydney Swifts got off to the best possible start in the 2011 ANZ Championships, breezing past reigning champions the Adelaide Thunderbirds 60-40 in the first round of matches last weekend. Australian Diamonds shooter Susan Pratley was in dominant form, netting 27 from 27, as last season's minor premiers and pre-season favourites for this year's title brushed aside the Adelaide team. In the other first round match, an all New Zealand encounter saw the Northern Mystics breeze past the injury-hit Southern Steel 51-34 despite the return to elite netball of former Silver Fern Tania Dalton. Dalton, 39, took to the court during the second half for the Steel, and managed six goals from seven attempts before being substituted.

Netball Around the World

2011-02-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

In Pakistan, the sixth session of the Australian Sport Commission (ASC) Netball Coaching, Development and Tournament Programme got under way in Karachi this week. (Picture above taken at the previous session) More than 400 players and more than 30 teachers and coaches from schools in the area will receive coaching and information about nutrition, fitness and health while the ASC and the Pakistan Netball Federation are also providing equipment and support materials to all those attending to ensure that access to netball continues to increase across the country. Congratulations to Trinity College, who defeated City School North Nazimabad in the week's tournament final.

With teams honing and refining their game plans ahead of this summer's World Championships, it has been announced that Jamaica will play two friendly training matches against local rivals Trinidad and Tobago in March, before hosting close rivals England in a three test series from 26-30 April. However, the Jamaican Netball Association has also announced that the island's U16 team will not compete in this year's Caribbean Youth Tournament, due to a lack of available resources.

Following the Netball World Championships, Australia will host England and New Zealand in a six match series to be held in October. The home side will face England in tests to be played in Newcastle, Canberra and Sydney, before taking on the Silver Ferns for the Constellation Cup in games to be staged in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Former Silver Fern Tania Dalton is set to make a shock return to elite netball this week, four years after announcing her international retirement. 39 year old Dalton, who gained 37 caps for New Zealand in a career which included the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and 1999 and 2003 World Championships, has been added to the roster for the Southern Steel as cover for the injured Daneka Wipiiti for the first round of matches in this year's ANZ Championships. The Steel travel to Auckland to face the Northern Mystics while reigning champions the Adelaide Thunderbirds feature in the other scheduled match this weekend, and will face former premiers the Sydney Swifts on Sunday (13 February).

Scotland's Netball Superleague franchise the Glasgow Wildcats received a major boost this week, with the announcement of a £195,000 development grant from the city council. 15 members of the franchise's line up and Scotland's squad live or play in or around the Glasgow area, and city councillors agreed the grant this week as part of the City's Sport Development Legacy Programme with the aim of developing elite players who will participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Congratulations to Jamalco, who once again lifted the JNBS/JNA Open league title after a 34-29 win over close rivals Tivoli Gardens in this week's final. Former international star Elaine Davis was once again in sparkling form, netting 29 goals from 34 attempts. Mico University College defeated West Indies Revolution “A” 28-26 in the second tier competition final.

World Netball Championships 2015 Bids

2011-02-10T03:28:00.000-08:00

Dear Members

Please find attached links to the bid documents which were circulated by email. As these were very large documents we are aware that some of you may have had difficulty in receiving into your email.

Please cut and paste the link into your browser and then you can download from Google Documents.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1J_vNfo0jJ-ZjYwNjIxYjgtYWRmMi00ZDgzLWJkZWYtMDVlYjFmYjkxZDY0&hl=en&authkey=CO3SjbgJ

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B1J_vNfo0jJ-ZWIyYTljZmEtOTk4ZS00M2VhLTg4MmUtMDk0OGMwOTEyODE0&hl=en&authkey=CInJsZwO

Please send me any comments.

Kind regards,

Vasi
Urvasi Naidoo
Chief Executive Officer
IFNA Secretariat
40 Princess Street
Manchester
M1 6DE
England
urvasi.naidoo@netball.org

T: +44 (0)161 234 0025
F: +44 (0)161 234 0026

Netball Around the World

2011-02-04T03:53:00.000-08:00

IFNA is proud to support the Netball Ethiopia Project. Netball South West and Budehaven Community School are raising funds to send a group of around 25 people to Assosa in March 2011. The party will include teachers and PE students from Budehaven Community School together with Regional Excel players and netball coaches from the Netball South West region. The aim is to deliver a massive coaching programme to teachers in the Assossa area of Ethiopia so as to provide netball coaches in all the local schools. The group will also coach players from schools in Assossa; for the girls of Ethiopia playing netball will provide the opportunity for a massive boost for their lifestyle, as females in Ethiopia generally have little choice in how their lives are developed. In simple terms, a massive number of Ethiopian teaching staff and young girls will benefit from this project. In addition to coaching, the project aims to provide resources not only in the form of kit but also coaching resources, all of which has to be transported to Assossa. This trip will cost £25,000 and they are looking for funds and kit and equipment donations. Further information on how you can support can be found on the Netball South West website. http://www.netballsouthwest.co.uk/netball-ethiopia.html

Former Netball Fiji coaches Megan Simpson and Margaret Corbett have been seconded to the country's World Championship campaign and have been tasked with identifying suitable teams to face Fiji when the squad tours Australia in March. Fiji will also tour New Zealand as the squad seeks match practice and increased court time ahead of the Singapore competition.

South Africa's new coaching panel has completed its first training camp with the Proteas and the players have expressed their approval for the new set up, which will be in charge to the World Championships. Former South African head coach Elize Kotze will work with Berta de Kock, Reg Sharp and Professor Chipea, each of whom has been given specific responsibilities as the squad prepares for competition.

Tanzania's netball association Chaneta has resolved its issues with Zanzibar counterpart Chaneza after the Mainland and Isles' sports councils convened a reconciliation meeting in Dar Es Salaam earlier this week. As a result, the Union Netball League, which features teams from both countries, is expected to take place this season after its suspension in 2010.

Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken has received a last minute visa which will allow her to rejoin the Queensland Firebirds for the new season of the ANZ Championships, which starts in two weeks. Aiken, a previous competition MVP, has been stranded in Jamaica while the details of her visa were worked out by officials. Meanwhile another Jamaican, Carla Borrego, is expected to arrive in Adelaide for training with her Thunderbirds team mates on Monday, after late problems with her paperwork were ironed out at the last minute. On arrival, she will meet Cody Lange,who was this week announced as the youngest ever player to take part in the ANZ Championships when she was named as replacement for Jasmine Keene. Lange, still only 16 years of age, impressed in the Thunderbirds' pre-season warm up games and is a current member of the Australian U17 squad.

Still with the ANZ Championship build up, there was good news for New Zealand's Southern Steel this week, with the announcement that shooter Daneka Wipiiti has only sprained her ankle, rather than fracturing it. Silver Fern Wipiiti, who sustained the injury during a pre-season tournament in Queenstown, is now battling to be fit for the start of the season on 13 February 2011.

Congratulations to Dilmun Champion A, who this week secured back to back championship titles in the Bahrain Netball League with a 42-19 win over chief title rivals British Club A. The Bahrain Netball Association will be organising a friendly knockout tournament for all clubs in the area before the season ends in April. And in Jamaica, defending champions Mona, together with St Patrick's and St Benedict's have all registered two wins from two games in the INSPORTS-sponsored Kingston and St Andrews Primary School League, which includes 26 schools teams from across the island.

Netball around the world

2011-01-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

Mwawi Kumwenda (pictured above winning the World Netball Series 2009 Player of the Series Award) will become the first Malawian netballer to play overseas when she joins Australian club side Peninsula Waves at the end of this month. And she completed her domestic season in fine style last weekend, helping Escom Sisters take Malawi's OG Issa Blantyre and Districts league title thanks to a 36-26 victory over Bingu Tigresses. Kumwenda was also named the best shooter in the competition.

Meanwhile, delegates from IFNA have this week visited Sydney to assess the country's bid to host the 2015 World Netball Championships. Led by IFNA president Molly Rhone, the delegation met representatives of key stakeholders involved in Australia's bid to host the competition, including Netball Australia, the New South Wales government, Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Events NSW. The IFNA board will meet and discuss the submissions from Sydney and Manchester, the other city competing for the right to host the competition, in March.

In Jamaica, the inaugural JNA Fast Net competition play offs are now underway, to identify the four teams to take part in the tournament which will take place this weekend. The four semi finalists from Group B of the Jamaican Open league will face the four bottom sides of the elite Group A league to identify the strongest teams who will move through to the main Fast Net competition. Meanwhile, the country's top two club sides, Jamalco and Tivoli A, will meet each other in competition for the first time this season when they meet in the JNBS/Jamaica Netball Association Group A Open league this week. Both sides are undefeated after six rounds of matches.

Former Silver Fern Marg Foster has been appointed as head coach for the Cook Islands national development squad. Foster was previously assistant coach for the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championships and was recently appointed as the assistant coach for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic squad, working alongside head coach Noelene Taurua. A key part of her new role will involve mentoring the Islands' Rarotonga-based assistant and apprentice coaches, as the Cook Islands works towards fielding a higher percentage of locally based players in the country's national teams.

The new season of the UK's Fiat Netball Superleague is under way, with the first round of matches now completed. Reigning champions Team Bath are yet to start the defence of their title, but last season's runners up, Mavericks, lost 44-39 to a revitalised Northern Thunder squad. Surrey Storm, the side which ended the regular season in 2010 undefeated, beat Northumbria 58-32 while Leeds Carnegie were too strong for Celtic Dragons 53-42 and Loughborough Lightning overwhelmed Glasgow Wildcats 68-26.

Netball around the World

2011-01-21T04:25:00.000-08:00

New Zealanders will wake up tomorrow to discover that their national netball team, the Silver Ferns, has replaced Australia at the top of the world rankings for the first time since IFNA introduced the new ratings system in 2007. After a hard fought 3-0 series win over England this week. A single point separates the Silver Ferns from reigning world champions Australia who move down to second place after their series with Jamaica ended with one match apiece and one match drawn (The Diamonds taking the series officially on goal difference).

New Zealand took the first Test against England 42-40 and second 41-39, despite failing to show the class which brought them the Commonwealth Games title in Delhi last year. England will be disappointed to have let slip a potentially match-winning lead in the third Test, having left the court at half time 19-16 up, before allowing the Silver Ferns to regroup and take the match 47-40.

Diamonds coach Norma Plummer juggled her line up once more for the second Test against Jamaica in Kingston to test combinations ahead of the World Championships, but the Diamonds did not play with their usual consistency as a result, and the match ended in a 49-all draw. The final game of the series, played in front of a packed house at the National Indoor Sports Centre, saw the Sunshine Girls, in inspired form, take the match 54-51 and tie the series. With this win the Sunshine Girls have closed the gap between England and Jamaica and with the World Netball Championships in Singapore fast approaching there is everything to play for.

For the full list of up to date world rankings, please visit the IFNA section of the website - www.netball.org

Tanzania's netball association, CHANETA, has confirmed that a second division of its national league will be set up this season, to provide a development pathway for players into the country's national league. Seven teams have already confirmed their participation for the coming season, and it is hoped that more will enter before the league's February deadline and encourage increased competition, thus encouraging competition and raising playing standards.

The 32 members of Fiji's national squad have completed a rigorous fitness Test this week, ahead of trials for the Pacific Games and World Championships, which take place later on this year. National team manager Asenaca Waqanivavalagi confirmed that results from the Test will be compared with those from Tests undertaken in November, to assess players' levels of training and performance as part of the national team selection process for the two competitions.

With the start of the new season less than a month away, the organisers of the ANZ Championships have announced OfficeMax as the league's new associate sponsor. The two year agreement will see OfficeMax sit alongside Holden as a major partner for the league in both Australia and New Zealand.

Finally, the board of Netball Queensland has set up a relief fund to assist all those affected by the devastating floods across the area, with an initial donation of $10,000AU. The Queensland Academy of Sport, used by the Firebirds as a training base for the ANZ Championships, has been turned into a flood relief centre: the Firebirds have announced that they will be fundraising for those affected by the disaster at their first home game of the season, against the New South Wales Swifts on 21 February 2011. For more information, and to make a donation to the relief fund, please visit www.anz-championship.com.

Netball around the world

2011-01-14T04:01:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Ruth Aitken (pictured here) who reaches a coaching milestone this week, when she becomes only the second person to have coached New Zealand in 100 Tests. Aitken, who will pass Lois Moir's record of 108 tests in charge at this summer's World Netball Championships, will reach her century milestone at this weekend's Test match between New Zealand and England in Manchester.

Aitken will need all her coaching skills to hands after late changes to her squad: on the eve of the Silver Ferns' departure from New Zealand, mid-courter Grace Rasmussen failed to recover from an ankle injury and was replaced in the squad by Central Pulse's Camilla Lees. On arrival in England, the Ferns faced further problems, with Liana Leota pulling up with a calf injury during the Ferns' first training session: having battled similar injuries in the past, Leota is a risk for the first Test between the two countries.

Reigning world champions, Australia, opened their build up to the 2011 World Netball Championships with a 63-51 victory over Jamaica in the first of a three match Test series between the two nations, in Kingston this week. Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon once again led her team from the front, ably supported by an impressive performance by young centre courter Madison Browne. The second match in the series will be played this evening (Friday), while the third and final encounter takes place on Sunday (16 January).

South Africa's head coach Carin Strauss and assistant coach Cecilia Molokwane, have both resigned this week for personal reasons. Strauss, who took over the role in 2008, has decided to focus on her career in school netball as well as her own netball academy. South Africa's ranking improved from 9th to 6th during her time in charge. A panel of nine coaches, under the leadership of head coach Benny Saayman, will now take charge of the country's national programme in the run up to the World Netball Championships in Singapore.

Tanzania's governing body Chaneta has announced a week-long seminar for local coaches at the start of April, which aims to update coaching skills and provide guidance on youth development programmes. Tanzania is aiming to qualify for the 2013 World Youth Championships in Glasgow in 2013 and Chaneta secretary general Rose Mkisi believes that these new techniques will be crucial in realising this ambition.

Congratulations to the winners of Pakistan's 31st National Games, held recently in Peshawar. The Army defeated the Police for first place in the women's section of the competition, which was organised by the Pakistan Olympic Association and KPK Olympic Association, while the Army defeated Sindh to take the top spot in the men's tournament.

Botswana's netballers go into camp this weekend as their preparations get under way for the World Netball Championships in Singapore. National coach Seipeng Galesiwe aims to hold two training sessions a month ahead of the country's second appearance in the competition, after the 18th ranked nation made its debut at the 2007 competition.

The Swaziland National Netball Association has announced a one day “Netball Spectacular”, to take place in Lobamba at the end of January. Teams of juniors, seniors and male players will be involved in the competition, which aims to encourage increased participation at all levels, as well as generate interest in umpiring and coaching.

Finally, our thoughts are with all in the netball family who have been affected by the devastating floods in Australia and Sri Lanka. Hope this damp start does not affect too many netballers 2011.

Netball around the World

2011-01-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

Three players who narrowly missed out on Commonwealth Games selection have been named in the Australian squad to face Jamaica in a three match test series later this month. Kate Beveridge, Madison Browne and Amy Steel were overlooked for a spot in the Diamonds team which lost the thrilling Commonwealth Games final in double overtime, but have forced their way into the touring team as competition heats up for places in Australia's World Championships line up. The full Australian squad to face Jamaica is: Kate Beveridge, Madison Browne, Rebecca Bulley, Cath Cox, Susan Fuhrmann, Laura Geitz, Kimberlee Green, Sharelle McMahon (capt), Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse, Amy Steel, Natalie von Bertouch (vice capt). The test matches will be played at Kingston's National Indoor Sports Centre on 12, 14 and 16 January.

Meanwhile the Silver Ferns are preparing to travel to England for a three Test Match Series, the first match is this Saturday the 15th in Manchester followed by Nottingham on the 17th and concluding at the O2 Arena in London on the 19th.

Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams (pictured above with the World Netball Series Trophy) has been nominated as Sportswoman of the Year at New Zealand's Westpac Halberg 2010 Awards, which recogise outstanding performances by the country's athletes in domestic and international competitions. Williams, who captained her side to its dramatic double overtime victory in the Commonwealth Games final in Delhi, will learn whether she has been successful against the other four finalists at a glittering ceremony to be held in February 2011.

Fiji received a boost this week with the news that Mere Rabuka, national captain at the last world championships in Auckland, has made herself available for selection for the 2011 competition. Rabuka, who played at the 2003 and 2007 championships, is currently studying at Sydney University and confirmed that she will be attending Fiji's national squad trials at the end of January.

Congratulations to Ugandan club team NIC which is one of three sides nominated in the newly introduced Team of the Year category at the country's prestigious Sports Personality of the Year awards. NIC, which dominated competitions across the country over the past year, is nominated for the award alongside Premier Cricket Club, basketball league champions Power and Mariam High School's badminton team. A date for the presentation will be confirmed shortly.

One of Malawi's top domestic teams, Escom Sisters, received unwelcome news this week with the announcement that the Electricity Supply Company of Malawi is to withdraw its sponsorship of the team, as well as its involvement with the country's leading football side, Escom United FC. Despite Escom Sisters winning all of the domestic competitions open to them this season, the decision was reached following an instruction from the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority to curtail all sports sponsorship. The Sisters are now seeking alternative sponsorship from other sources.

Congratulations Liz

2010-12-31T04:05:00.001-08:00

Many Congratulations to Liz Broomhead who has been awarded an MBE in the Queen New Years Honours List 2011 for services to Netball. Very well deserved!

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-12-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

Netballers in Jamaica are celebrating this week after announcing another key sponsorship agreement. Jamaican lottery company Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has announced a J$1.7 million (approx $20,000US) support package for Jamaica's senior netball team as it continues its preparation for the 2011 World Netball Championships with a three-Test series against Australia from January 12-16 at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC). Jamaica Netball Association president Marva Barnard is pictured receiving the cheque from Sonia Davidson of SVL (right) while team captain Simone Forbes and coach Connie Francis look on.

Following the success of the organisation's development programme in 2010, Vanuatu Netball Association (VNA) has announced it will be repeating its outreach activities in 2011, sending development officer Beverley Ligo and technical officer Sarah Murfett across the provinces to help develop players and officials in all areas. To encourage coach and official development as part of this activity, the VNA is offering scholarships to interested local coaches and umpires to accompany the officers as part of the annual programme. Applications for the scholarships close on 10 January 2011: for further information, please contact the VNA via its website: www.oceaniasport.com/vannetball or email vanuatunetball@gmail.com

England Netball has announced its squad to face New Zealand in January 2011 in a three match test series. Co-captains Karen Atkinson and Sonia Mkoloma will be supported by vice captain Pamela Cookey in the leadership role. The remaining members of the squad are: Sara Bayman, Eboni Beckford Chambers, Louisa Brownfield, Jade Clarke, Sasha Corbin, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Tamsin Greenway, Serena Guthrie, Jo Harten, Geva Mentor.

The Silver Ferns' dramatic double extra-time win over Australia in the Commonwealth Games gold medal match in Delhi has been rewarded by the New Zealand Olympic Committee. The Ferns have been awarded the Lonsdale Cup for 2010, the prestigious NZOC award made to an athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth sport in that year. Well done!

Congratulations, too, to England's Liz Broomhead, who was named as one of two national runners up at the prestigious BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony in the Unsung Hero category. Broomhead, who attended the star-studded event and rubbed shoulders with many sporting greats, is now preparing for a trip to Zimbabwe in the new year to undertake further netball development work. Well done Liz!

Finally, Barbados Netball is searching for a new head coach, after the resignation of Alwyn Babb earlier this week. Babb, who masterminded the island's best ever finish - 7th - at the recent Commonwealth Games, cited disagreements with the new Barbados Netball Association president, Juanita Cordle, as the reason for his departure.

Netball Around the World

2010-12-17T04:14:00.000-08:00

Netball Singapore has this week announced Mission Foods as the title sponsor of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships (WNC) 2011, in an agreement worth S$450,000 (approx $343,000US). The deal was concluded in recognition of the growing strength of netball in the Asia Pacific region and the global reach o fthe Mission Foods World Netball Championships. It also builds on the company’s existing support for netball, following its three year agreement as naming sponsor for the ANZ Queensland Firebirds earlier this year.

The draw for the Mission Foods WNC 2011 was made this week, with reigning champions Australia drawn with Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland and Samoa in the opening rounds. Commonwealth champions New Zealand will meet Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji and Wales while world number three side England have been placed with Malawi, Barbados and Malaysia. The final group sees the 2007 bronze medallists Jamaica up against Singapore, South Africa and Botswana. At the end of the round robin stages, the top eight teams will compete in the Grand Final series, while the bottom eight sides will play off for positions 9-16.

Wales gave themselves the best possible festive gift with an impressive 53-30 win over Scotland in the final of the NTUC Fairprice Foundations Nations Cup final, after losing 41-48 to the same opponents in the round robin stages of the competition. This was the first appearance in the competition for Wales, who overturned the world rankings to beat Scotland, ranked one place above them. Tanzania defeated hosts Singapore 54-41 to take third place. The team is pictured with IFNA President Molly Rhone at the presentation of the trophy.

Netball New Zealand has made one change to its Commonwealth gold medal winning squad for the three match test series against England, to be played in January. Anna Thompson, who starred for New Zealand’s Fastnet Ferns in their win at the World Netball Series, replaces Temepara George, who is unavailable following recent minor ankle surgery. The full squad for the series is: Leana de Bruin, Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Liana Leota (nee Barrett-Chase), Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Anna Thompson, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams (Capt), Daneka Wipiiti.

England’s selectors have added two new names – Rosie Allison and Lindsay Keable – to the country’s national squad for 2011. Both players have gained experience on overseas tours and as training partners for international test series but this is the first official selection for both. The full England squad for 2011 is: Rosie Allison, Karen Atkinson, Sara Bayman, Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Louisa Brownfield, Jade Clarke, Pamela Cookey, Sasha Corbin, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Tamsin Greenway, Serena Guthrie, Jo Harten, Naida Hutchinson, Lindsay Keable, Geva Mentor, Sonia Mkoloma.

Netball Barbados has launched its new website – www.barbadosnetball.com which will be used to communicate information about the game at all levels across the island. Visit the site to find out more about netball in Barbados and to sign up for the regular newsletter.

Finally, back in England, Netball North West has teamed up with Cancer Research and Race for Life to raise money for the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer. All netball leagues, clubs and schools in the North West are being asked to support Netball Pink week (24-30 January 2011) by donating £1 per person and wearing something pink when playing netball during the week. Good luck to all the participants.

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-11-26T08:35:00.001-08:00

Heather Crouch MBE, one of England Netball’s most significant leaders of the past 40 years, has died following an 18 month battle with a brain tumour. She was 61. Head England coach during the 1980s, Heather was described as a “coach before her time” for her introduction of new training regimes and sports science support which changed the way which athletes approached the game. Her 40 year career spanned coaching, coach education and furthering the role of netball in the wider sporting agenda via lobbying and membership of several national sporting boards. In addition to creating Coaching Award programmes and the UK Coaching Certificate, she was named British National Association of National Coaches “Coach of the Year” in 1989 – the same year in which her highly influential book “Coaching Netball” was published. She was appointed Chair of Sports Coach UK in 2008, and also served for many years as Vice Chair of England Netball, as well as Chair of Netball South West, driving the region to deliver far in excess of any other region in the UK. A tribute page has been set up on the Netball South West website at www.netballsouthwest.co.uk and a memorial celebration will be held in the New Year in the Taunton area.

New Zealand’s young Fastnet Ferns side triumphed at last weekend’s World Netball Series (WNS) competition in Liverpool, defeating an experienced England line up 28-26 in the final to successfully defend their WNS title. Despite a loss to Australia in their opening game of the competition, as well as suffering a scare against Malawi, the Kiwi side (a mix of fringe Silver Ferns and age group players) soon found its feet and held off a spirited challenge from Jamaica in the semi-finals to emerge 29-28 winners. England defeated the young Australia side, comprising many emerging players, 26-25 in the other semi final. And there was further disappointment for the Australians in the 3rd / 4th play off, in which they lost a thrilling match to Jamaica 30-29.

The Pakistan Olympic Association and KPK Olympic Association have announced that netball for both men and women will be included in the 31st National Games 2010, to be held from 25-31 December in Peshawar. Teams taking part include Army, Police, Navy, Railways, Wapda, Sindh, Punjab, KPK, Baluchistan and Islamabad.

The Botswana Netball Association (BONA) in conjuction with Spar Group will host the finals of the 2010 Spar 'Good for you' Netball League this weekend. The finals will feature Botswana's top four teams: BDF Cats, Notwane & UB Crystals from the South Zone and TASC from the Northern Zone, who will be competing for a prize of P15,000 (approx $2,200 US) and a perpetual trophy.

Defending champions the University of the West Indies are among six Jamaican teams travelling to Florida this weekend to take part in the Florida Netball Classics competition. The Jamaican teams will face sides from across the Caribbean as well as America in the two day competition, which offers a cash prize to the winners.

Finally, in Scotland, Shetland Ladies Netball Association has announced that, as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations for the senior intercounty fixture between Shetland and Orkney, a friendly veterans’ game will take place on 5 March 2011 in Kirkwall, to coincide with the annual interisland fixture. Any player aged 40 or over who has played in a previous intercounty fixture and is interested in taking part should contact Andrea Tait on +44 1595 695195 before 3 December for further information.

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-11-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

New Zealand has closed the gap on world number 1 Australia to just five points in the latest World Rankings released by IFNA this week. The move comes as a result of the Silver Ferns’ thrilling double overtime win against the Diamonds in the final of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Barbados moves into 10th place, while the Cook Islands drop to 11th. Lesotho and India, both of which have a nil rating, are in joint 25th place. For further information and the full world rankings please visit the IFNA page.

Preparations are now being finalised for the second World Netball Series (WNS) to be held in Liverpool, UK from 19-21 November 2010. Tickets are still available via website www.worldnetballseries.com

Host nation England this week announced its squad for the competition, to be captained by Karen Atkinson, with a mixture of young talent and experienced internationals. England’s full squad is: Karen Atkinson (capt), Eboni Beckford Chambers, Louisa Brownfield, Pamela Cookey, Sasha Corbin, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Tamsin Greenway, Serena Guthrie, Jo Harten, Lindsay Keable, Sonia Mkoloma (pictured above last year)

Nine of the Jamaican squad which took the silver medal in the inaugural WNS competition have been named in the Sunshine Girls line up for this year’s tournament, with defender Althea Byfield and shooters Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish (returning after a four year absence from the international game) and Jhanielle Fowler the new names in the side. The team, to be captained by veteran shooter Simone Forbes, also includes Nicole Aiken-Pinnock, Nadine Bryan, Sasher-Gaye Henry, Malysha Kelly, Sasha-Gay Lynch, Tracy-Ann Robinson, Paula Thompson and Vanessa Walker.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Proteas complete a four day training camp this weekend, ahead of the country’s first appearance in the WNS and will travel to England for acclimatisation early next week. And Malawi’s Queens leave home on Sunday 14th November, with veteran shooter Mary Waya once again set to entertain the crowds with her unique style of play.

During the three day competition, spectators are asked to bring any unwanted netball kit or equipment to donate to players in Africa, through a kit amnesty organised by the Netball Development Trust. Volunteers will be located throughout the competition venue to collect any donations, which the trust will then distribute across the continent to help emerging players.

Finally, Singapore’s squad has started its preparations for the Fairprice Foundation Nations Cup, which will be held from 6-12 December, with intensive coaching from Australian greats Vicki Wilson and Jill McIntosh. The pair has conducted clinics and position-specific training with the 18 player Singapore squad (ranked 19th in the world), which will face Scotland (world number 16), Wales (17), Tanzania (21), Namibia (24) and India (25) during the six day competition.

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-11-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

Former international captain and coach Oberon Pitterson (pictured above) is one of three coaches appointed this week by the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) to join the coaching staff for the island’s Sunshine Girls coaching staff. Working alongside her will be national Under 21 coach C Lloyd Walker and national Under 16 assistant coach Minetth Reynolds. These three will report to former Australian coach Jill McIntosh, who has been appointed technical director to the JNA, and will work alongside senior coach Connie Francis to provide specific individual coaching to selected players.

Netball Australia has named shooter Kate Beveridge as her country’s captain for the upcoming World Netball Series in Liverpool. Beveridge, 25, has 11 international test caps and narrowly missed out on selection for the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Centre courter Madison Browne has been named as vice captain, with Erin Bell and Amy Steel the other members of the leadership group for the Australian squad of emerging talent that will take part in the three day tournament, which has an average age of 21. Sharelle McMahon and Natalie Von Bertouch, who were captain and vice captain for Australia at the Commonwealth Games, have been rested along with the remaining members of the squad which participated in the Delhi competition.

Meanwhile, South Africa coach Carin Strauss will be without six key players when the Proteas travel to England for the FastNet series later this month. Captain Liezel Wium and Precious Mthembu will miss the competition due to injury, while Zanele Mdodana, Nthabiseng Moabi, Leigh- Ann Zackey and Christine Markgraaf are unable to travel due to work commitments. The news leaves Strauss with only six players from the squad which took part in the Commonwealth Games. The additional spots for the Liverpool tournament will be filled by players from South Africa’s extended national training squad.

The Pakistan Netball Federation has announced that Umama Qadri has been honoured by the country’s Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani with the Prime Minister’s Excellency Award for her performances in international competition. Qadri, a member of the gold medal winning side at the 2010 Pakistan Netball Championships as well as part of Pakistan’s national squad, was shortlisted along with many of the country’s other young sportspeople, and is the first netballer to receive this award. Congratulations to her.

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-10-29T05:16:00.001-07:00

Australian club side the South East Demons (pictured) have arrived in Vanuatu ahead of three test matches against the islands’ national team, which start tomorrow (Saturday). In addition to the competitive matches, Demons players and management will also be holding a series of coaching workshops for players of all ages, as well as passing on coach education across the country.

Also in Vanuatu, the country’s first Vanuatu Beach Games will take place on 29 November, featuring Beach Volleyball alongside the country’s first Beach Netball competition. Proceeds from the tournament will contribute to the cost of Vanuatu’s planned tour to Australia in 2011, as well as the Beach Volleyball side’s future plans.

Jamaica Netball Association president Marva Barnard has this week confirmed that the Association has approached former Australia coach Jill McIntosh with a view to her joining the coaching team for the Sunshine Girls in the run up to the World Championships in 2011. McIntosh, who won multiple World titles both as a player and coach, recently spent six weeks in Jamaica working with local coaches in the Jamaica Award Netball Coaching certification programme. Contractual details are still to be finalised, but the JNA is confident that McIntosh will be in post from February 2011 for a five month period.

In Pakistan, the Karachi Girls Netball Cup is now under way. Organised by the Sindh Netball Association in association with the Pakistan Netball Federation, the competition features teams from across the region, with the finals to be concluded this weekend.

The Netball Association of Ghana (NAG) is holding a special one day tournament this weekend in Kaneshie Accra as part of the country’s preparations for future international competitions. The “Pure Joy Netball Tournament”, sponsored by TT Brothers Ltd, will feature teams from across the country, and is also aimed at increasing awareness of and participation in netball throughout Ghana.

Congratulations to IFNA Vice President Kereyn Smith, who has been appointed secretary general of the NZ Olympic Committee. The tenth person appointed to the role, Smith will lead the country's Olympic and Commonwealth sport into the new decade and will be the first woman in charge of the organisation.

Finally, Sylvester Campbell, Jamaica’s top umpire, has announced that the recent Delhi Commonwealth Games will probably be his last international tournament. Campbell, who has officiated at the top levels of the game for the past 20 years, has not ruled out overseeing home internationals, but believes that the time is now right for him to step aside from major competitions.

Netball around the World

2010-10-22T02:31:00.000-07:00

Following their thrilling battle in last week's Commonwealth Games final, the heat is on with New Zealand and Australia announcing their squads for the World Netball Series 2010 which takes place in Liverpool, UK, next month.

New Zealand will be captained by former Silver Fern Maree Bowden, and the side includes Grace Rasmussen, who was part of the gold medal winning side in Delhi. Rasmussen's sister Rachel is also included in a Silver Ferns representative squad for the first time. The remaining squad members are: Kayla Cullen, Ellen Halfpenny, Charlotte Kight, Camilla Lees, Jess Moulds, Hayley Saunders, Te Huinga Selby Rickett and Anna Thompson, and the group will be coached by Robin Broughton.

Netball Australia has chosen to rest its squad of 12 players who claimed silver in Delhi and has instead named a side of emerging talent to take part in the FastNet competition. Three members of the wider Australian Diamonds squad - Kate Beveridge, Madison Browne and Amy Steel - have been included after narrowly missing out on selection for Delhi and will be joined by Chanel Gomes and April Letton, named MVPs in this year's Australian National Championships (pictured). The other squad members are: Caitlin Bassett, Shae Bolton, Ashleigh Brazil, Teagan Caldwell and Sharni Leyton.

The World Netball Series sees Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi and South Africa competing in the Fast Net format. It takes place 19th, 20th and 21st November at the Echo Arena. Visit www.worldnetballseries.com for tickets.

20 year old Malawi shooter Mwayi Kumwenda has announced that she will be spending a season playing in Australia, after being awarded a scholarship by the Victorian club Peninsula Waves. Kumwenda, who was Malawi's leading shooter at the Commonwealth Games,will travel to Australia in spring 2011 to take up her scholarship. Pictured above winning the Player of the Series at the World Netball Series 2009.

It was announced yesterday that IFNA Vice President. Kereyn Smith, will be the first woman to lead the New Zealand Olympic Committee after being named as the Organisations new Secretary General. Kereyn will take up her new post in January 2011. Congratulations from all at IFNA.

Former England international Ama Agbeze has been named as the final member of the West Coast Fever squad for the 2011 ANZ Championship season. Agbeze returns to the Fever side after seasons with the Melbourne Vixens and Central Pulse.

Finally IFNA has this week announced a series of initiatives which are designed to improve standards of match officiating across the sport. In addition to the publication of a new table officials handbook in November, it has been announced that fitness levels for umpires will be assessed during the World Netball Series in Liverpool and research undertaken to enable new fitness standards to be set for netball's international officials and announced in early 2011.

2010-10-18T06:12:00.001-07:00

Kate Palmer, Netball Australia CEO, Molly Rhone, IFNA President and Urvasi Naidoo, IFNA CEO took time out of their busy schedules during the Commonwealth Games to visit the GOAL programme this week. GOAL, IFNA's award winning programme, runs in partnership with Standard Chartered and the NAZ Trust. It offers girls from underprivileged backgrounds the opportunity to play netball and gain valuable life skills. It runs in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The picture was taken at the Deepalya site in Delhi.

On the court, the Commonwealth Games competition reached a thrilling conclusion, with New Zealand's Silver Ferns retaining their Commonwealth title after a pulsating double extra-time victory over World Champions Australia, 66-64. New Zealand defender Anna Scarlett played a key role in helping the Ferns to turn around the Diamonds's early six goal advantage, before leaving the court with a finger injury. Without her height on court, Australia found it easier to feed their shooters, and levelled the scores at the end of the 60 minute period. Scarlett returned to the court for the extra time period, and Australia once again struggled in attack. However, the scores were still level at the end of the second period of extra time, and a further eight minutes were played before Maria Tutaia held her nerve to sink the long range goal that retained the title for New Zealand.

In the bronze medal match, England recovered from their close losses to Australia and New Zealand earlier in the tournament to register an impressive 71-47 win against Jamaica, to retain the bronze medal which they won in 2006. England's defensive combination of Sonia Mkoloma and Geva Mentor shut down possession to Jamaica's Romelda Aiken, and with shooters Louisa Brownfield and Pamela Cookey in commanding form, England eased to a simple win.

Finally this week, Vanuatu Netball has announced a three match test series for the island's national team against Australia's South East Demons club side, which will take place in Vanuatu from 30 October - 3 November.

Netball Around the World

2010-10-11T02:57:00.000-07:00

Despite concerns before the start about safety and construction issues, the Delhi Commonwealth Games is now under way. And for five netballers, the glittering opening ceremony, held in front of a capacity crowd, was a particularly significant event, as they were all chosen to carry their national flags into the stadium.

Sharelle McMahon (pictured against India), who is competing in her fourth Commonwealth Games, led out the Australian team, while Laurel Browne carried the flag for Barbados. Jamaica’s Simone Forbes, who has represented her country in five sports – basketball, football, softball and volleyball – was chosen to lead out the island’s athletes. Irene van Dyk, who became the most capped Silver Fern of all time in her second game of the competition, marched at the head of the New Zealand athletes and the perennial Mary Waya, one of the oldest netball competitors at 42 years of age, beamed her way round the track as the leader of the Malawi contingent.

On court, competition newcomers India have found the going tough, with Australia handing out a record breaking 113-18 to the home nation in the pool matches. The Indians, playing in their first Commonwealth Games competition, could not cope with the pace and power of the Diamonds, and despite the crowd cheering every successful path, found the gap in class too huge to bridge. Meanwhile, reigning Commonwealth champions New Zealand also broke the century with a 102-21 win over Papua New Guinea, but were made to battle from behind to defeat England in their group 47-41 having trailed at half time. Pool matches continue this weekend, before the play offs start at the beginning of next week, with the medal matches scheduled for Thursday (14 October).

Despite their international baptism of fire, Indian netballers have cause for celebration this week, after Australia’s sports minister Mark Arbib this week launched a RS 200 million programme ($4.5 million US) aimed at developing sports facilities across India for disadvantaged children. IFNA’s GOAL programme, which provides regular training and match play for more than 1000 girls and young women across the country, was cited at the launch event as an example of how sport can make significant differences at the grass roots and it is hoped that the new programme will allow GOAL to expand its reach still further.

Finally, Netball Namibia has announced its first national training camp of 2010, to take place in October. The camp, to last for two days, will allow the national senior and U21 sides to prepare for the Six Nations Cup and African Youth Games, to take place in Singapore and Swaziland respectively later this year.

2010-10-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

With less than three days to go to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, all the competing netball sides are now settled in the athletes’ village and making final preparations for the start of the competition on 4 October. And despite the heavy training schedules, there has still been time for discovering more about the Indian subcontinent and culture: four members of the Australian Diamonds (pictured above) took the opportunity to learn a traditional dance from students at Delhi’s Banyan Tree School. Laura Geitz, Lauren Nourse, Susan Pratley and Natalie Medhurst encountered the dancers, who had just performed at a welcoming ceremony for the Namibian and Kenyan teams, in the athletes’ village and took some time out to learn some new dance moves, along with finger cymbals and twirling scarves. However, the interlude provided only light relief ahead of the opening ceremony and the first match of the competition, in which Australia faces Samoa.

The IFNA President, Molly Rhone and the IFNA Chief Executive, Urvasi Naidoo are already in Delhi and have inspected both the competition venue and the practice venue. The President described the facilities as "world class" and said she is looking forward to watching some closely contended matches.

While the international netball world awaits the start of the Commonwealth Games competition, domestic championships continue apace. The Feroza Begum ninth National Womens’ Championship is currently under way in Pakistan, with eight teams competing. Organised by the Pakistan Netball Federation, in association with the Sindh Sports Department and Sindh Netball Association, the tournament will identify the five qualifying teams for the 31st Pakistan National Games, the country’s major multi-sports event.

In New Zealand, the final of the Lion Foundation Netball Championships will take place between defending champions Auckland Aitakere and Mainland Foundation Canterbury. This will be the first Grand Final appearance for Canterbury since 2002. Meanwhile, third and fourth place will be contested between Ascot Park Hotel Southland and Pak’n’Save Wellington.

Victoria reversed the result of last season’s grand final, defeating reigning champions New South Wales 45-37 on the third day of Australia’s Dealsdirect.com National U21 championships in a result which leaves the Victorians as the new favourites for the title and moves the champions into second place in the table. Queensland is currently in third place, after a 54-39 win against ACT, while the Western Australia team kept its hopes of a finals place alive with a stirring 49-44 win over South Australia. The competition concludes on Saturday.

Four teams are tied with two wins apiece at the top of England’s Premier 1 National Clubs league - Academy, New Cambell, Linden and Oaksway. However, with Academy hosting Oaksway, Linden travelling to Oldham and New Cambell facing Bournemouth 7s Blades this weekend, an outright league leader should emerge by the end of the weekend.

2010-09-28T04:58:00.000-07:00

Singapore Netball is celebrating this week, after securing its biggest sponsorship deal to date. NTUC FairPrice Foundation has announced an $S80,000 ($60,000US) title sponsorship deal for the Nations Cup tournament, funding which will be used to develop the six-team Cup, to be played at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall from 6-12 December. Pictured above some of the national team players in front of the sponsor's promotional bus. Seeing netballers on the side of the bus - terrific.

Singapore has hosted the annual tournament since its inception in 2006, attracting 12 different countries over the years. The new sponsorship agreement is part of the Foundation's efforts to cultivate Singapore's sporting talent and promote greater interest in sports. This year's Cup will see the hosts face favourites Scotland (ranked 16th in the world), Tanzania and new entrants Wales, India and Namibia. The Scots lost to Northern Ireland in last year's final. And in a move which is certain to broaden the appeal of netball across the continent, the final will be broadcast live across 26 Asian countries for the first time in 2010.

With only ten days to go until the start of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and despite concerns from some quarters about security and the facilities on site, the twelve netballing nations competing are finalising their preparations. Host nation India received a welcome boost this week with the news that 17 year old star player Megha Chaudhary has been exonerated of all doping charges which forced her withdrawal from her country’s squad and has rejoined her team. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Proteas will face Samoa in a friendly warm up game on arrival in India at the start of next week and the Australian Diamonds are on their way to Malaysia for a pre-tournament training camp. The Barbados squad has broken its journey to India in England, playing friendly matches against leading club side Academy as well as the England Excel squad. The Commonwealth Games netball competition is scheduled to start on 4 October, when Samoa takes on Australia.

Standard Bank Malawi will once again sponsor the country’s national netball championships, which launches its 19th season on Saturday with a high profile parade and celebration event in Blantyre. The competition, which will run nationwide, will be co-ordinated with Malawi’s national football championships to encourage participation in sport in general across the country.

In Jamaica, defending champions St Hugh’s High and the Queen’s School started this year’s ISSA/Digicel-sponsored Urban Schoolgirls netball championships, which started this week. St Hugh's are the defending Senior League champions while The Queen's are the National All-Island and Urban Junior champions.

With preparations already under way for the 2011 ANZ Championship season, New Zealand’s Southern Steel franchise has some unexpected planning headaches to contend with, after a heavy snowfall caused part of the roof of Invercargill’s Stadium Southland to collapse last weekend. Early estimates suggest that the stadium could be out of action for up to 18 months, which means that the Invercargill-based side will be looking to play home fixtures in Dunedin next year. These disruptions come after the Canterbury provincial championships team was forced to find a new home court, following damage caused by the recent earthquake in the region.

2010-09-17T03:27:00.000-07:00

With less than a month to the start of the competition, all teams participating in the netball competition at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi are in final stages of preparations. The 12 teams have been split into two pools: Australia, Jamaica, Malawi, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago and India make up one group, while New Zealand, England, South Africa, Cook Islands, Barbados and Papua New Guinea comprise the other pool. The competition starts on 4 October, with the final scheduled for 14 October.

Following its success at the African qualification competition for the 2011 World Championships, The Botswana Netball Association (BONA) has appealed to companies across Africa for sponsorship to enable the side to compete in the Six Nations tournament, to be held in Singapore in December. Funded by the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC), BONA does not have sufficient funds to participate in extended overseas tours but needs to increase its players’ exposure to international competition as they look to improve the country’s world ranking of 18.

The Fiji netball team will not be able to defend its title at the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia, following a decision by the host country not to stage a netball competition as part of the programme. Despite the fact that netball is one of the biggest sports played across the Pacific, it is an optional sport within the Games programme: instead, netballing nations in the region will use the Pacific Series, to be held in Papua New Guinea, as preparation for the 2011 World Championships.

England defenders Sonia Mkoloma and Geva Mentor have this week confirmed that they will not represent their country at the 2011 World Championships, after committing themselves to next year’s ANZ Championships. This decision rules them out of selection for the England team for next year’s competition, after England’s national selectors agreed to only consider players competing in the UK for the World Championships side.

As the ANZ Championship starts the build up to its fourth season, teams have already named their squads for the 2011 competition. Mkoloma will return to line up with the NSW Swifts for the second year in succession, while Mentor has been a controversial signing for the Melbourne Vixens. A new ruling, allowing each side in the competition only one import player, meant that the Adelaide Thunderbirds could not sign the English star as well as 2010’s shooting revelation, Jamaican Carla Borrego, despite making an appeal to the competition’s organising committee. Meanwhile, West Coast Fever has signed the youngest ever player for the competition, Courtney Bruce, and another 16 year old, Madeleine Proud joins the reigning champions, Adelaide Thunderbirds. For full team lists and player movements, please visit www.anz-championship.com. The 2011 Season starts on 13 February 2011.

Finally, netball continues to extend its influence in Asia, with a group of expats now involved in coaching and playing in Korea. Introduced to the country in 2001, the game is now played in many schools, but with the arrival of a number of Australian and New Zealand players, the Korean Netball Association now has the ability to co-odinate training sessions and a Tuesday night netball league has been introduced for the first time. For further information, please email netballkorea@hotmail.com

2010-09-10T03:39:00.001-07:00

South Africa and Botswana have qualified to participate in the World Netball Championships in Singapore next year, after finishing first and second at this week’s African qualifying games played at the University of Pretoria. They will be joined there by Malawi, automatic qualifiers as a result of being in the top five in the last World Netball Championships in 2007. The South African side did not lose a match during the week-long competition, while Botswana’s only loss was to the Proteas. Zimbabwe ended in third place, with Namibia fourth, Tanzania fifth and Lesotho sixth respectively.

Towering 6” 5’ shooter Jhanelle Fowler (pictured above) will make her international tournament debut at the Commonwealth Games after being named in Jamaica’s side for the competition. Fowler, who achieved her first international cap in the recent test series against England, is named for the world number four side alongside two other new faces with limited international experience – mid court player Kimone Tulloch and goal attack Anna Kay Griffith. The remainder of the squad features a number of Commonwealth and World Championships veterans, including Georgia Gordon, who featured in Jamaica’s bronze medal-winning team in 2003 and Kasey Evering, who returns after a three year injury lay off, and will be captained by Simone Forbes. Others named for the competition are: Nicole Aitken, Romelda Aitken, Nadine Bryan, Althea Byfield, Sasher-Gaye Henry and Paula Thompson. The side completed its preparations for the Commonwealth Games with a 52-45 victory over world number three England, after losing the first game of the series between the two 53-42.

Reigning world champions Australia take an important psychological advantage into the Commonwealth Games, after taking the first Constellation Cup against world number two New Zealand with a thrilling 46-40 win in the final match of the series between the two nations. Tied at 31 all at the end of three quarters, both teams gave their all in a roller-coaster final quarter but it was the Diamonds, inspired by strong performances from captain Sharelle McMahon and WD Renae Hallinan, who pulled away to edge the win.

Vanuatu played host to the first visit of a delegation from the Pacific Netball Partnership during early August. Anne Marie Phippard from Netball Australia, Briar Martindale from Netball New Zealand and Martin Roberts from the Australian Sports Commission made up the delegation which attended a variety of meetings with players, club officials, local netball associations and the government during their visit. A test match and demonstration training sessions planned for the visit had to be cancelled due to poor weather and a tsunami warning, but these were held at a later date and video footage has been provided to the delegation for comment and feedback. It has also been confirmed that Vanuatu’s U21 side will host Western Australian club side the South East Demons for a three match test series in late October.

Finally, a group of care home residents in England has formed what could be the world’s oldest netball team. The Golden Oldies side, from Warrington in Cheshire, has an average age of 90 and oldest player Olive Cook is 101. Formed to provide variety in weekly activity sessions, the team trains twice a week and is now seeking other care home teams to play matches against.

2010-09-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand have unveiled a new trophy, the Constellation Cup, which will be awarded each year to the country that wins the most international tests between the Australian Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns. Designed and made by artists on both sides of the Tasman, the trophy will be presented for the first time by Sir Anand Satyanand, New Zealand’s Governor General, at the conclusion of the third test of this year’s series between the two nations in Auckland on Sunday, 5 September. Picture shows Sharelle McMahon (Australia) and Casey Williams (NZ) with the new Constellation Cup

The teams go into the third test tied at one match each. Australia held their nerve and their form to come from behind and edge past the Ferns in the first test, played in Adelaide, winning 48-43. However, the Ferns stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second game of the series, and could not be caught, taking a relatively easy win 59-40.

Coaching arrangements for Tanzania’s Taifa Queens remain uncertain as former Australian international Simone McKinnis has still not had her appointment as national coach confirmed. Despite receiving the sanction of the Tanzanian president, McKinnis has not yet received her contract and written confirmation of her new role. The team had hoped she would be in place to train the side ahead of the Africa Netball Championships, which take place from 5-12 September in South Africa, which will act as the regional qualification tournament for the 2011 World Netball Championships.

The Africa Netball Championships sees a record 11 countries fighting for 2 places to the WNC2011: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Malawi has already qualified for WNC2011.

IFNA and Africa Netball are taking the opportunity of the Regional Tournament to run some workshops for the African Members. IFNA Global Development Manager, Sarah Pickford and long standing supporter of Africa, Liz Broomhead are heading out to Johannesburg. The workshops will be chaired by IFNA Africa Regional Development Manager, Joan Smit and delegates from all the African countries above will be in attendance.

Netball continues to expand in northern Europe, with the first Stockholm International tournament taking place last week. Eight teams from Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland took part, with Copehnhagen Netball Club finishing the tournament undefeated, with a convincing 24-4 win over Stockholm in the Grand Final. Congratulations to all those who took part.

Reigning world champions, the Australian Diamonds announced their Commonwealth Games squad this week, with three players – Kate Beveridge, Madison Browne and Amy Steel - dropped from the group which contested test matches against Jamaica last month. The Australian squad is: Sharelle McMahon (captain), Rebecca Bulley, Catherine Cox, Susan Fuhrmann, Laura Geitz, Renae Hallinan, Mo’onia Gerrard, Kimberlee Green, Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse, Susan Pratley, Natalie von Bertouch.

The Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) has celebrated two new sponsorship agreements this week, the first a J$1million agreement with Pepsi-Cola Jamaica, through its Gatorade Brand: the deal also includes provision of Gatorade and Aqua Essential water for the team’s training camps and tournaments, as well as assisting with the construction of a study room at the JNA training house. Local light and power company Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has also donated a team bus to the Association, to be used to transport the teams from training sessions and matches in their build up to the 2011 World Championships and beyond.

The team bus was used for the first time this week, to take the Sunshine Girls to the first match in the Sunshine Series, against world number three England, as both teams continue their build ups towards the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Despite trying several new combinations, the Jamaicans could not match the pace and consistency of the English visitors, with England easing through to a 53-42 victory. The second match between the two takes place this evening (Friday).

Netball Around the World

2010-08-20T06:17:00.001-07:00

Scottish netballers are celebrating this week, after the decision by IFNA to award the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships to Glasgow. The competition, which will be held from 22-31 August 2013, will take place at the city’s new National Indoor Sports Arena, a venue which will also play a central role in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. IFNA President Molly Rhone is thrilled by the opportunity that these championships present for future netball growth in the region: “These two high profile netball events will not only showcase the sport but will also promote long term development and leave a lasting legacy, not just in Scotland but across the whole region of Europe.” Pictured above the Scotland youth team on their way to the Cook Islands for WYNC2009.

European netball received another boost this week with the news that Switzerland has been upgraded from Associate to Full Membership of IFNA, while Belgium has been added as a new Associate Member. Zambia and Zimbabwe have also been upgraded to Full Membership while the Solomon Islands are also new Associate Members. Welcome to you all.

Australia completed its international series against Jamaica undefeated, after a crushing 71-40 win in the final match on the Gold Coast. Jamaica, without captain Simone Forbes and veteran defender Althea Byfield, strugged to contain the pace of a Diamonds team which welcomed back GA Sharelle McMahon, who had recovered from a thigh injury.

The Sunshine Girls then travelled on to New Zealand, where they face the Silver Ferns in a two match test series. After a slow start in the first match, New Zealand finally found their range and pace to defeat Jamaica 58-35 in Christchurch. Struggling to find links in midcourt, the Ferns were only 29-21 ahead at half time, before pushing ahead to take the win. Jamaica coach Connie Francis was critical of the performances of her veteran players in this match, and has called for more intensity and commitment in the second test, which takes place in Napier on Saturday.

Following the conclusion of this series, the Ferns will travel across the Tasman to face the Diamonds in a three match series, starting on 29 August in Adelaide as preparations for the Commonwealth Games continue. Meanwhile, England will travel to Jamaica at the start of September to play a two match test series against the Sunshine Girls, who expect to welcome back Forbes, Byfield and Casey Evering, missing from the current Southern Hemisphere tour.

Gauteng North scooped South Africa’s Spar National Netball Championships title this week, with a 38-21 victory over Free State Motheo in the grand final. Led by national squad member Leigh Ann Zackey, who celebrated her birthday on finals day, Gauteng North was too strong defensively for the opposition and safely secured the side’s 19th national title. Another South African international, Erin Burger, was named player of the tournament.

Finally, following successful trials during the ANZ Championships and a vote by all member countries, IFNA has announced that its members have voted to dispense with the rule, introduced in 2007, which prevented coaching during stoppages. Bench players are also to be allowed to approach the sideline if coaching is taknig place. These changes will come into force from 23 August 2010. Urvasi Naidoo, Chief Executive of IFNA, said: “Feedback received from the trial identified this as a positive experience with no negative impact on the game. Netball is constantly evolving and the performance of the best teams in the world will be enhanced by amending the rules to allow coaching during stoppages.”

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-08-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

Botswana Netball is taking an important step forwards in development terms, with the announcement of a ten day performance coach and player development workshop, to be held in association with IFNA from 15-25 August 2010. Led by two international coaches – former England international Joanna Binns (right) and former TeamNorthumbria Superleague coach Anita Navin (left), the programme will support Botswana Netball Association (BONA) in developing a sustainable and self-sufficient Coach Education and Accreditation Structure, aligned to the African regional and International coaching programmes. In addition, it will support the Association in establishing a Talent Identification (TID) programme and pathway from 12 years of age to the open age group by means of a National Squad Support Programme. The workshop will coincide with a training camp for the BONA senior squad of 25 players, currently training for the African World Championships qualification competition, to be played in South Africa from 5-12 September 2010.

South African netballers also have reason to smile this week, with the news that SPAR SA is to extend its sponsorship of the game across the country for another three years. The new support agreement will be worth R14 million (approx $1.9m US) and includes grass roots development as well as support for South Africa’s international teams.

England has named its squad for the Commonwealth Games, with the experienced Karen Atkinson and Sonia Mkoloma (193 international caps between them) once again named as Co-Captains. The full England squad, which leaves for Delhi on 28 September, is: Karen Atkinson (co-captain), Sonia Mkoloma (co-captain), Pamela Cookey (vice captain), Sara Bayman, Eboni Beckford Chambers, Louisa Brownfield, Jade Clarke, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Jo Harten, Tamsin Greenway, Geva Mentor.

New Zealand’s Silver Ferns started their preparations for the defence of their Commonwealth Games title later this year with an impressive 92-28 win in Porirua last weekend. In her first international appearance, GA Grace Rasmussen impressed with 17 goals from 18 attempts to scoop the player of the match award.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Diamonds are currently 2-0 up on world number three Jamaica in the three test series being played between the two countries. After taking the first match 59-38 in Melbourne, Australia increased the pace and pressure to take the second test 69-42 in Sydney, despite fielding a changed line up, with Amy Steel making her international debut at GD. Plummer is hopeful that captain Sharelle McMahon (the only one of the Australian squad yet to take the court in this series, due to a thigh injury) will be fit for the final match on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD:

2010-08-06T03:16:00.000-07:00

To ensure that opportunities to play and coach netball in Lesotho continue to grow, a week long basic coaching clinic for high school and primary school teachers has been implemented by the Lesotho Netball Association. Facilitated by Ramafahla Thamae, Maseabata Makhetha and umpire Chakatsa Lephole, the 30 participating teachers were introduced to the game’s basic rules, as well as enjoying practical sessions, and it is hoped that they will now use their newly acquired skills to extend the game’s footprint across the country. The group is pictured above.

Tanzania’s Netball Superleague has now reached the quarter finals stage, with holders JKT Mbweni and Jeshi Stars the two teams tipped to reach the final. JKT Mbweni, the reigning champion team, was too strong for Uhamiaji in the final qualification round, winning 24-15 with Nelly Anyingse top scoring with 14. Jeshi Stars put in a strong performance to overcome Filbert Bay 26-18. The tournament concludes on Sunday.

South Africa has this week announced its squad to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October, with Claudia Basson and Elzet Engelbrecht the two players ommitted from the country’s wider training squad. The Commonwealth Games squad is: Chrisna Botha, Erin Burger, Zukelwa Cwaba, Sindisiwe Gumede, Maryke Holtzhausen, Christene Markgraaf, Zanele Mdodane, Nthabiseng Moabi, Precious Mthembu, Amanda Mynhardt, Liezel Wium and Leigh-Ann Zackey. Coach Carin Strauss will have an early opportunity to assess the form of her players as a number are scheduled to take part in next week’s Spar Netball South Africa National Championships, which take place in Potchefstroom. Holtzhausen will line up for defending champions Nelson Mandela Bay, while 2009 runners up Boland have named Wium and Markgraff in their side.

Samoa faces New Zealand’s Silver Ferns in a one off test in Porirua later today, but will be without Northern Mystics defender Finau Pulu, who has declined the opportunity to line up for Samoa for fear it will affect her chances to play in the ANZ Championships, which is effectively her livelihood. If Pulu was to play for Samoa she would then be considered as an import in the league, and with teams guaranteed only one ineligible player on their books, she would likely miss out on a contract to top-name internationals.

Jamaica will be without shooter Crystal Gordon for the upcoming three match test series against Australia, which starts in Melbourne on Sunday, after the player was refused a leave absence by her US college, where she is on a volleyball scholarship. Gordon was originally named in Jamaica’s 12 player squad for the tour of Oceania, during which the Sunshine Girls will also face the Silver Ferns in two tests.

Former South Pacific Games long jump gold medallist Gabriel Qoro has been named as Fiji’s new head coach this week – the first man to be appointed in this poisition. He will now work with his predecessor Unaisi Rokoura, Fiji’s new assistant coach, and Asenaca Waqanivavalagi, who has been reappointed as team manager, as the Fiji side prepares for the 2011 World Championships.

Netball around the World

2010-07-30T04:40:00.000-07:00

Undefeated T and T, pictured here in Singapore for the 5 Nations Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will join Jamaica at the 2011 World Championships, after this week’s Americas qualification tournament held in St Lucia. Trinidad and Tobago defeated hosts St Lucia 57-45 to end the competion with a perfect unbeaten record. Barbados took second place in the tournament ahead of the home side. Canada, St Vincent and the USA also competed.

So teams competing in Singapore will be:

Singapore as Host

Australia

New Zealand

England

Jamaica

Malawi

Asia -Sri Lanka and Malaysia

Oceania -Fiji and Samoa

Europe –Northern Ireland and Wales

Americas – Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados

Africa – TBC after qualifiers

It promises to be an exciting competition. Gold and Platinum ticket packages are on sale now at http://www.wnc2011.com/home/index.php

The world’s top two nations, Australia and New Zealand, have named their squads for October’s Commonwealth Games, and there have been surprises from both countries with an uncapped player named in each side.

Defending Commonwealth champions New Zealand have included 22 year old Grace Rasmussen (pictured left) in the Silver Ferns squad for the first time, alongside three returning internationals – Leana de Bruin, Temepara George and Daneka Wipiti.

Meanwhile, there is no room for the experienced Bianca Chatfield in the Australian Diamonds team which was also named this week. The veteran defender, with 42 international appearances, has been overlooked in Norma Plummer’s squad of 15 players, from which the Commonwealth Games team will be selected. Queensland Firebird Amy Steel, 21, (pictured right) is the only uncapped player named in the side, which will be cut to 12 players after the upcoming internationals against New Zealand and Jamaica.

The full squads named are:

New Zealand: Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George (vice-captain), Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams (captain), Daneka Wipiiti

Australia: Kate Beveridge, Madison Browne, Rebecca Bulley, Cath Cox, Susan Fuhrmann, Laura Geitz, Mo’onia Gerrard, Kimberlee Green, Renae Hallinan, Sharelle McMahon (captain), Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse, Susan Pratley, Amy Steel, Natalie von Bertouch (vice-captain).

A team from the Khomas Region of Namibia has now completed the first week of its tour in the UK, with matches against North England regional training squads and Superleague team Leeds Carnegie . In addition, the team has worked with a number of conditioning experts, and former England coach Liz Broomhead, to improve match preparation and performance as well as coaching techniques. The side has now travelled on to Wales, where the Khomas team will take on Wales A, as well as two of England’s young development sides.

The Fiji Netball Association will this week interview applicants for the vacant positions of national coach and national team manager. Three candidates have been shortlisted for each post, and the Association’s interim president, Wainikiti Bogidrau, expects to announce the names of the country’s new coach and manager in the next week.

Netball in Swaziland is anticipating a significant boost in popularity after it was announced this week that the game is to be one of the sports featured in the nationwide Manzini Municipal Games. The competition, sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Manzini Youth Care, will involve league matches for teams from 12 areas across the country and will also generate increased awareness of, and participation in, the game in those areas.

Finally, although not yet an IFNA Member, Netball continues to enjoy increased participation in Brunei. Last week, Persatuan Kebajikan Perempuan (PKP) team emerged as champions at the annual Belait PKP tournament , held to coincide with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei's 64th birthday celebrations at the Mumong Sports Complex. They defeated KBNC in the final, while Pertiwi defeated Havoc for this place. The chairman of the event, Dyg Hjh Kertini binte OKPSD was encouraged by a record number of entries in this, the third year of the competition.

Weekly Netball Roundup

2010-07-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

Australia and England have both submitted bids to IFNA to host the 2015 World Championships in Sydney and Manchester respectively. Australia last hosted the competition in 1991, while England played host in Birmingham in 1995. IFNA will announce which venue has been successful in Singapore at the 2011 World Championships.

Adelaide Thunderbirds are the 2010 ANZ Champions, after defeating the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 52-42 in front of a capacity 9,300 crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Runners up in last year’s Grand Final, the Thunderbirds were in determined mood from the first whistle, and with Jamaican shooter Carla Borrego netting 13/14 in the first quarter, they led 15-8 at the first interval. Player of the match England defender Geva Mentor (pictured above) starved the Magic’s influential Irene Van Dyk (also pictured above) of consistent possession and with Adelaide’s smothering defensive tactics making it hard for the Kiwi side to build momentum, the home team lifted their first Championship title after three play-off appearances.

Following the conclusion of the championships, the world’s top two sides Australia and New Zealand have named their squads for 2010/11. After impressing in the Thunderbirds’ run to the ANZ Championship title, Adelaide’s Erin Bell and Sharni Layton are the two debutantes in Australia’s 22 player squad, and will now join the other 20 players at a selection camp ahead of the forthcoming internationals against New Zealand and Jamaica for which 12 players will be named. The full Australian Diamonds squad is: Caitlin Bassett, Emily Beaton, Erin Bell, Kate Beveridge, Madison Browne, Rebecca Bulley, Bianca Chatfield, Julie Corletto, Cath Cox, Susan Fuhrmann, Laura Geitz, Mo’onia Gerrard, Kimberlee Green, Renae Hallinan, Sharni Layton, Sharelle McMahon (Captain), Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse, Susan Pratley, Kimberley Smith, Amy Steel, Natalie von Bertouch (Vice-Captain).

New Zealand’s selectors have named a seventeen player squad for 2010/11, which includes three former Silver Ferns – Daneka Wipiiti, Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett. The full Silver Ferns squad is: Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George, Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Charlotte Kight, Laura Langman, Cathrine Latu, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Anna Thompson, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams, Daneka Wipiiti. Wendy Frew and Camilla Lees have been named in the squad but will not be available for selection for the upcoming internationals, due to shoulder surgery and medical studies respectively. Shooters Jodi Brown and Paula Griffin made themselves available for selection at this time.

Defending champions Malaysia secured their fourth successive Asian Youth Championships title this week with a 63-39 win over Sri Lanka in the Grand Final. Singapore defeated the fast-improving India side 56-38 to take third place overall.

Guyana has named its first national squad since 2006, as the country works towards competing in the Caribbean World Championships qualifiers in 2012. Coached by Randolph Critchlow, the squad of 12 players contains no former internationals and, captained by centre Michelle Subrattie, will travel to Barbados in the next month to take part in a commercial tournament to assess its progress to date. To provide the squad members with increased domestic competition, Guyana Netball Association is also working to stage its first national championships in August

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-07-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Netball is the beneficiary of the single largest female sports sponsorship across Australasia, with this week’s announcement that ANZ has renewed its naming rights sponsorship for the ANZ Championship for an additional three years. As the competition prepares for its third Grand Final, which takes place this weekend, ANZ CEO New Zealand commented, “We feel privileged to have ben part of a world-class competition from its very beginning, and to have witnessed the remendous bgrowth that netball has continued to experience across both Australia and New Zealand.”

In this weekend’s Grand Final, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will line up against the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, who surprised many people’s favourites for the title, the NSW Swifts, with a 54-49 victory in the minor final. Despite ending the regular season at the top of the league table, the Swifts failed to bounce back from their loss to the Thunderbirds in the first round of the play offs, and with Magic’s perennial GS Irene Van Dyk once again in sparkling form to net 38 goals from 39 attempts, the New Zealanders moved through to this weekend’s final.

Meanwhile, Southern Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase has scooped this year’s prestigious ANZ Championship Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The consistency of Barrett-Chase (pictured) over the 14 week home and away season could not be ignored by coaches of the competition’s ten teams, who vote on the award using a three, two, one points system at the conclusion of each match. She topped the standings with 36 points, to see off the NSW Swifts’ Rebecca Bulley (30 points), Steel defender Leana de Bruin (29) and Adelaide Thunderbirds’ star Jamaican shooter Carla Borrego (29).

The annual world rankings have now been refreshed and released by IFNA, and while the top four places remain unchanged (although the gap between the top two nations has narrowed to only eight points), some significant movements have occurred further down the list. Fiji has jumped to a ranking of fifth in the world, while South Africa’s Proteas have moved ahead of African rivals Malawi to take sixth place. Malawi’s Queens, which missed a series with South Africa earlier this year, slip down to seventh while Northern Ireland moves up to take 12th place. Two countries - St Vincent and The Grenadines and Maldives have lost their ranking, having played insufficient matches during the past three years and now have a rating in the second table, while three countries - Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis and the USA - have lost their rating, having played no matches during the past three years.
India’s fast-improving young side has qualified for the semi-finals of the 7th Asian U21 championships, despite losing 67-41 to defending champions Malaysia in the final round of pool matches. The side, which has been training hard ahead of the autumn’s Commonwealth Games competition, will be joined in the play offs, to be contested this weekend, by Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, currently preparing for overseas test matches against Australia and New Zealand, suffered a set back in their build up when one of their players, Ann-Kay Griffith, was denied an intransit visa by the US Embassy last week. Griffith, who plays GA for Windalco, now faces a two week delay while the Jamaica Netball Association makes the necessary appeals to the US Embassy to enable the visas to be obtained and provided to the Canadian consultates of Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Georgia Gordon has been recalled to the Jamaica squad for the overseas tour, which takes place from 8-21 August, while the captaincy has been awarded to the experienced Nadine Bryan.

Tanzania’s National Netball League resumes on 25 July with 18 teams expected to compete in the week long-competition. Tanzania’s netball association Chaneta will be using the competition to identify potential national squad players ahead of the All Africa Championships, scheduled for South Africa in September. With only two qualifying spots available and 13 teams registered for the competition, Chaneta is currently seeking government and commercial sponsorship for the Taifa Queens to ensure that they are best prepared to compete at the All Africa competition.

Finally, congratulations to the U21 and U19 teams from Auckland Waitakere which this week scored the title “double” in New Zealand’s national age group championships held in Dunedin. In the finals, Auckland’s U21 side defeated Southland 40-30, while the U19s overcame a spirited challenge from Otago Gold 39-34 to take their title. More than 600 young players took part in the tournament, Netball New Zealand’s biggest participation event.

Check out all new IFNA Rankings

2010-07-05T04:05:00.001-07:00

Annual Rankings Refresh

The IFNA World Netball Rankings has just been refreshed by statistician David Kendix who devised the rankings specifically for international netball.

It is worth noting that

a) The gap between Australia and New Zealand has narrowed to just 8 points.

b) Fiji have jumped up to number 5. With South Africa behind them at 6 and Malawi now dropped down to 7. In the middle, Northern Ireland are heading up and are now at 12 and finally at the bottom we see Lesotho making an entrance.

c) Two countries, St Vincent and The Grenadines and Maldives have lost their ranking, having played insufficient matches during the past three years. They now have a rating in the second table.

d) Three countries, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis and the USA have lost their rating, having played no matches during the past three years.

Check it out: http://www.netball.org/IFNA.aspx?id=94

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-07-02T03:14:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-06-18T04:52:00.000-07:00

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD:

England’s international squad has arrived in Australia for a training tour ahead of selection for the Commonwealth Games. TeamBath squad member Lindsay Keable has been called up for her first tour at this level, which will see England play friendly matches against ANZ Championship sides,the NSW Swifts (pictured above with England players) and Adelaide Thunderbirds, as well as replicating the training and playing pressure conditions that the squad will face in Delhi later this year.

35 year old veteran defender Georgia Gordon has received a surprise call up to Jamaica’s pre-selection training programme, after impressing in Tivoli A’s title winning run in the JNA Berger Superleague competition earlier this month. Gordon, who represented her country at the World Championships in 1995, 1999 and 2003, returned to Jamaica in March after studying in New York for 11 years. She now joins the Sunshine Girls’ training squad ahead of selection for a three match test series against Australia and two against New Zealand in August.

South Africa’s Proteas are now en route to Samoa after a series of successful training matches in New Zealand. Despite losing to ANZ Championship side the LG Mystics 51-56, the South Africans defeated local sides Baytex Panthers 63-35 and Waitakere 70-42 and also benefitted from clinics conducted by former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering.

Jodi Carreira, the founder of Netball Israel, was honoured with an award for Outstanding Service to European Netball at the European Festival of Netball in Malta last week. Carreira, who was the driving force behind the establishment of competitive netball in the country, was overjoyed with her country’s performance in the competition, which saw them finish middle of the table against more established netballing nations. The semi finals of the inaugural Israel Netball League start next Tuesday with Ra’anana facing Modi’in and Ma’aleh Adumim playing Jerusalem. The league finals will be held on 21 June.

With one week of the regular season remaining, ahead of the play offs series, the NSW Swifts stand on the brink of making ANZ Championship history. With 12 consecutive victories already under their belts – a championship record – the Swifts face finals contenders, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel on Monday night in Sydney with the chance to become the only team to negotiate the regular season undefeated should they win. But with the Steel one of three teams in contention for the two remaining play off spots, the result is not a foregone conclusion.

With the Adelaide Thunderbirds sitting in second place on the table and secure of a play off spot, the other two teams in contention are the Queensland Firebirds, who face the West Coast Fever and the Waikato/BOP Magic, who travel to face the Thunderbirds. And with the Firebirds’ superior goal difference, the stage is set for a tense weekend of netball and potentially some hard calculations before the finals’ line up for the 2010 competition is confirmed.

Netball’s Wow Factor is coming to Liverpool!

2010-06-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

This year the Echo Arena Liverpool will host the World Netball Series. IFNA announced the decision today on behalf of the event’s stakeholder group which includes England Netball, Liverpool City Council, Manchester City Council and the North West Development Agency.

The three day competition will commence on Friday 19th November and will conclude on Sunday 21st November with a celebratory Gala Dinner on the Sunday evening. Molly Rhone, President of IFNA commented. “I am delighted to confirm that this year’s World Netball Series will be held at the Echo Arena Liverpool. This event has been fantastic for showcasing the sport of netball and IFNA is looking forward to building on the success of last year’s inaugural event. Spectators will once again be given the opportunity to witness this thrilling Fast Net competition between the top six netball teams in the world.”

The six countries competing in the competition, in IFNA World Ranking order are; Australia, last year’s champions New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi and South Africa. According to the IFNA World Rankings the top teams in the world have shifted slightly with South Africa replacing Samoa. This is the only change to have been made to the top six since last year’s tournament which took place at Manchester’s MEN Arena.

During last October’s three day event, more than 17 thousand spectators attended and an income of over £1.3million was generated. Liverpool City Council is planning to build on last year’s success; Lord Mayor Councillor Mike Storey said of the announcement, “On behalf of Liverpool City Council I’d like to express gratitude to IFNA for choosing Liverpool to host what promises to be a fantastic event. Having recently hosted The Co-operative International Netball Series we’re excited to have Netball return to us here and as 2010 is our Year of Health and Wellbeing we’re also looking forward to working with the event’s stakeholder group to develop the event’s Legacy Initiatives .”

On confirmation that England would host the new competition Manchester launched the initial 2009 event, Liverpool will host 2010 and in the final year for England to host the event, 2011, it will return to Manchester. Since its conception last year the World Netball Series has adopted a legion of fans and the rules of Fast Net, the new format of the game, have been adopted by netball players around the world.

England Netball has taken the lead this year for the commercialisation of the event. Any parties interested in working with England Netball to deliver the commercial objectives of the stakeholder group should contact Joanna Adams, England Netball’s Head of Marketing joanna.adams@englandnetball.co.uk

Tickets for the event go on sale Monday 7th June with 10% discount available for early-bird bookings and 15% discount for England Netball members. To purchase your tickets and for further details visit www.worldnetballseries.com

NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD

2010-05-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Photo: STACY SQUIRES/The Press

Jamaica's netballers have begun preparations for the next four months with the first training camp to be held at their new netball "house", the Sunshine Chalet in Barbican, St Andrew. The three day camp, held last weekend, aimed to hone the team's physical and mental strengths, as well as formulating a programme for the busy months ahead. Defender Kasey Evering has rejoined the Sunshine Girls after a three year break.

New Zealand has retained the International Schools Girls Challenge title, edging out Australia 29-23 in the final in Adelaide. New Zealand trailed the home side throughout the first half, but produced an heroic fight back in the second half of the game to take a six goal victory, inspired by sterling performances by Sophia Fenwick, Kirsten Hurley and Sulu Tone Fitzpatrick. Despite losing to Australia in the round robin stages of the competition, New Zealand regrouped to beat

Indigenous School Sport Australia 55-6, Bukit Jalil Sports School Malaysia 54-16, Aotearoa Maori 36-22 and the Pacific Rims 40-36 in section play before going onto beat Aotearoa Maori in their cross over match 36-24.

A shortage of funding means that Fiji's netballers may fail to qualify for the 2011 World Championships, after it emerged that the country's netball association had not paid for the squad's air fares to the forthcoming Pacific Cup. Coach Una Rokoura has appealed to Fijian business for financial support for the side, which is scheduled to play Samoa, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands at the competition, the qualification for the 2011 Singapore competition.

In this week's round of ANZ Championship matches, New Zealand's Haier Central Pulse has scored only its second win in the competition's history, a gritty 45-43 victory over fellow strugglers Canterbury Tactix. Inspired by 27 goals from 29 attempts from Silver Ferns shooter Paula Griffin, the Pulse led by eight goals at one stage, but allowed nervous errors to creep into their game, before regrouping to take a vital win. Elsewhere in the competition, the Southern Steel shocked local rivals, the highly rated Waikato BOP Magic 52-47, while the Adelaide Thunderbirds held on for a thrilling 53-51 win over the Queensland Firebirds. Former Jamaican international Carla Borrego continued her impressive return to top level netball with 38 goals from 41 attempts, while Adelaide's defensive unit of Mentor, Gerrard and Layton were impressive in closing down the space available to the Firebirds' fast-moving attacking unit. The NSW Swifts defeated the West Coast Fever 61-52, with England defender Sonia Mkoloma (pictured above) putting in a match winning performance to unsettle Fever's international shooter Caitlin Bassett.

In Botswana, the new Spar Good For You Netball League is now under way, with first round victories for UB Crystals, Jungle Queens, Notwane and BDF Cats. The second round of matches will take place this weekend.

Africa Netball

2010-05-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the Delegates who attended the first Africa Netball Meeting in Johannesburg on 15th May. Spot the new IFNA Board Director, Tebogo, multi tasking whilst on the phone.

The CEO attended this meeting and then flew to Australia where she had valuable meetings with Netball Australia, the ANZ and the Australian Sports Commission. She also spoke at the IWG Conference.

New Advert from Netball Australia on YouTube

2010-05-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Netball Australia this week launched the game’s first brand advertising campaign, which recognises the sport’s biggest assets – the players and all the people associated with it. The “Ode to Netball” campaign was shot in Adelaide and involved a cast of 400 real netballers, umpires, parents and coaches from 13 clubs across South Australia, as well as the Australian Netball Diamonds. The campaign will run on Australia’s TEN Network from now until the end of August, and can be viewed at Netball Australia’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/user/NetballAustralia

Netball around the world - Update

2010-05-07T03:21:00.000-07:00

Preparations for the 2011 World Netball Championships in Singapore are going well, with the organisers reporting “healthy demand” for platinum ticket packages. Costing S$550 each (approx $390 US), 1,100 of the 1,300 packages have already sold, and it is anticipated that the lower value tickets will sell fast when they are released by the tournament co-ordinators in January 2011.

This year’s FairPrice Foundation Singapore Netball Superleague title has been won by the Malaysian Arowanas (pictured), who finished the competition with an undefeated record of 12 wins, after edging past local favourites Mighty Manna 49-44 in the final. Arowanas’ towering 16 year old shooter Norashikin Kamal Zaman was named the player of the tournament.

Singapore’s coach, Kate Carpenter, and the national selectors used the competition to pick a squad of 17 players for the 2011 World Championships, which will now compete in the Australian league, before playing in December’s Nations Cup.

City School Nazimabad defeated Trinity Girls College 17-15 in the final to win the fourth session of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Netball Coaching and Tournament Programme at Nazimabad Mini Sports Comple, Pakistan. The event was organised by the Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) in collaboration with the Australian Sports Commission and the Sindh Netball Association and is the latest in a series of netball festivals designed to increase participation and improve skills levels across the region.

In the UK, reigning champions TeamBath cruised into the Grand Final of the 2010 Co-operative Netball Superleague with a 57-42 thrashing of Surrey Storm, the side which had finished the league section of the competition at the top of the table. A stunning start gave the champions a 19-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, and with England defenders Stacey Francis and Eboni Beckford Chambers in stunning form, Storm could do little to weather the challenge. The Surrey side now needs to defeat former champions Mavericks in the second play offs in order to qualify for the Grand Final.

Wales’s netball international players, past and present, now have their own unique numbers following the introduction of a new recognition system. From the first caps awarded in 1949, every player who has taken the court to represent Wales in an official international has been numbered according to the sequence in which they made their first appearance. With three new players – Stephanie Murphy, Emma Thomas and Sophie Morgan – making their international debuts at the Netball Europe event last weekend, the total number of players to have worn the Wales dress now stands at 189. The next new cap will be number 190. Players already capped will have their number embroidered on their dress for the match or tournament in question.

Grenada’s annual National Netball Tournament opens this weekend with an exhibition match between the island’s U23 side (currently in training for the OECS tournament in June) and a selected senior squad. Across the Caribbean, in Jamaica reigning champions Jamalco line up against Tivoli ‘A’ in the Berger Paints / JNA Superleague this weekend with both sides currently locked at the top of the league table. Waulgrovians currently sit in third place in the competition, but have a game in hand, against Windalco, which will be played later this week.

In the ANZ Championship, reigning champions Melbourne Phoenix suffered their second loss in as many weeks, going down 56-42 to the Sydney Swifts in front of a record crowd of 6,928 at the ACER Arena in Sydney. Vixens were once again without influential centre Natasha Chojklat, sidelined with a calf injury, and have now slipped to third in the table, behind the undefeated Swifts and the Waikato / BOP Magic, who finally overcame the Northern Mystics 49-46 in a thrilling encounter in Hamilton this week.

IFNA attends Sport Accord in Dubai - This Article from Sport Accord Daily Paper

2010-05-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Fresh from scoring two awards in under a year, the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) continues to improve the lives of thousands of Indian girls through it’s hugely successful Goal programme.

According to IFNA Chief Executive Officer Urvasi Naidoo, the four-year old initiative continues to go from strength to strength with more than 4,000 girls having benefited from a programme that empowers women in a region where their role in sport is hardly encouraged.

“The programme was started in Delhi in 2006 to encourage underprivileged women and girls to play netball and improve their self confidence, life skills and assertiveness – some of the by-products of being involved in team sports,” she told SportAccord Daily.

“Today, with the valuable support of our sponsor Standard Chartered, Goal is now in three Indian cities with girls playing in Mumbai and Chennai as well as Delhi.”
Such is the success of the programme, Goal netted the 2009 Best Project by a Sport
Federation or Governing Body at the Beyond Sport awards, while in 2010 it won in the category ‘Sport in the City’ at the Global Sport Forum Awards in Barcelona.

“We’re very proud of the awards as well as the results not only for the girls themselves but also for their families,” added Naidoo. “Women in India are not really encouraged to play sport – there are very few sporting role models – so it’s fantastic that netball can make a difference to their lives.

"While the IFNA and NGOs play their part, Standard Chartered does a lot for Goal and use their staff from some of their Indian offices to volunteer on the project and make them aware of corporate social responsibility.

"Although netball isn’t such a big sport in India, we‘ve been delighted with the reaction and discovered some real talent – one of our girls is Deepali Sharma who is now a Goal coach and will represent India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.”

As well as the ongoing success of Goal, the IFNA also operates programmes in Africa.
‘African Safari’ sees English netball players visit the continent for a week at a time to coach local competitors, run workshops and operate a ‘train the trainer’ campaign with visits in 2009 reaching Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia.

This week, however, the netball focus is on SportAccord Convention, an event Naidoo believes she would be “mad to miss.”

“This is only my second SportAccord Convention but as a sporting association we just have to be here. Everyone is at SportAccord Convention and the benefits are huge with a great opportunity to network and discuss important issues.

“Unfortunately IFNA president Molly Rhone could not make it from Jamaica due to the flight restrictions but I lived in Dubai for three years when I worked with the ICC so it’s nice to be back.”

Netball Secures Million Dollar Partnership to Strenghten the sport in the Oceania Region

2010-04-15T02:39:00.000-07:00

Last Week the Australian Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis announced a new $2.95 million partnership to build netball development programs and help strengthen Pacific island communities.

The Pacific Sports Partnership was signed in Adelaide at an ANZ Championship match between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and New Zealand team Southern Steel.
Ms Ellis is pictured above signing the agreement with Oceania Netball Federation President Tina Browne, Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Raelene Castle and Netball Australia Chief Executive Kate Palmer.

“Sport has the power to bring people together and deliver great health and social development dividends to communities across the world,” Ms Ellis said.
The initial four year partnership will focus on the Oceania Netball Federation’s member federations of Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

A series of netball development programs will target girls and young women. The sessions will teach netball skills and engage girls in the sport, as a way to build social development in Pacific Island communities.

The partnership will also ensure the development of trained, in-country development coordinators within Pacific netball federations to deliver the programs at a local level.

“Netball is a popular, fun and athletic sport that delivers particular benefits to girls and women. I expect to see a rise in netball participation rates in these countries as a result of this great initiative,” Ms Ellis said.

“The partnership will give players, administrators, coaches and officials the chance to build skills that they can use on and off the court to strengthen their community.”

The Australian Prime Minister announced $26 million in sports-related assistance to the Pacific island countries at the Pacific Islands Forum last year, including $15 million over five years to establish sport partnerships.

Pacific Sports Partnerships sees agreements between the Australian Agency for International Development and the Australian Sports Commission and regional sports federations.

Pacific Sports Partnerships is part of the Australian Government’s Sports Outreach Program, which works with developing countries to deliver inclusive sports programs that help strengthen communities.

Two other Pacific Sports Partnerships are already underway with football and cricket.