Netball Around the World

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.