Latest news with #WorldNetball
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Netball World Cup to be held every two years, aiming for men's event also
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency / Photosport World Netball has announced that the Netball World Cup will be held every two years, and a new event will take place every other year in an effort to grow the sport. It's part of a new global events strategy to showcase the best of the sport to more people more often. It will also introduce an inaugural men's Netball World Cup (NWC) in the next few years as it strives to build a case for Olympic Games inclusion. The Netball World Cup has been held every four years since the first edition in 1963 but after the next World Cup in Sydney in 2027, all future World Cups will take place in November. With the new two-year cycle, the following pinnacle event will be in November 2029. The international federation believes the new World Netball events window will give consistency and certainty for all stakeholders including fans, media partners, and commercial partners. It also won't disrupt the domestic calendars where there are professional leagues. It may help avoid a repeat of the calendar clash between the 2023 Netball World Cup and football's FIFA Women's World Cup, which was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. President of World Netball Dame Liz Nicholl said at the time that WN was ahead of FIFA with the dates . "It would have been nice if actually they had approached us to consider the opportunity that's missed in some way for both events to have a lot more profile and reach," Nicholl said. World Netball (WN) also plans to launch a new biennial event from November 2028, that will take place in non-NWC years. The hosting of this event will be a requirement built into any future NWC hosting agreements, meaning the country who wins the bid to host the 2029 NWC will also host the 2028 biennial event. World Netball said it wanted to ensure a world class international event took place every year, so the best players in the world could compete against each other more regularly, build rivalries and expand reach. Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ It should be music to the ears of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua who sees a lack of international exposure as New Zealand's biggest challenge . This year the Silver Ferns are playing just seven tests. World Netball chief executive Fiona Harold said while international netball had never been more competitive, the landscape was becoming increasingly complex to navigate and it needed to find ways to sustain and grow the sport. "We also absolutely need to be proactive about future proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026. "These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it's positive news for everyone," Harold said. On the introduction of a men's Netball World Cup, Harold said World Netball would always remain proud of the sport's female foundations, but "must not be held hostage to them". "Our sport is open to all and now feels like the right time to make a clear statement on the men's game, which is gaining momentum rapidly. "The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion." Harold said WN would continue to collaborate with men's netball groups to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men's Netball World Cup in the next few years. WN is already having initial conversations with members and third parties regarding hosting rights for 2028-2035 with a formal process launching soon. Last year Netball NZ said it was investigating a potential bid to host the 2031 World Cup . World Netball told RNZ last year that it was open to events being hosted outside of traditional netball playing regions. WN has decided to shelve the FAST5 Netball World Series for now. The International Federation said it will continue to explore any additional opportunities that will benefit the sport, including the introduction of an international club competition.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Plans for Netball World Cup every two years
Australia beat England 61-45 in the final of the 2023 World Cup [Getty Images] World Netball has announced plans for the World Cup to take place every two years as they look to "future-proof" uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games. The World Cup traditionally takes place on a four-year cycle with the next tournament set to be hosted in Australia in 2027. Advertisement The long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is unclear after difficulties finding a host nation for the 2026 edition due to rising costs. World Netball also plans to introduce a men's World Cup competition. "We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026," World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said on the decision to switch the World Cup to a biennial event. "These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it's positive news for everyone. "As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term." Advertisement The governing body says all future World Cups will take place in November to allow for consistency and avoid disruption to domestic leagues. They also are also launching a new biennial event from November 2028 that will take place in non-World Cup years. Netball has been an official Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 and has relied on the event to showcase the sport to a wider audience. Australia won the bid to host the 2026 Games in Victoria but pulled out in July 2023 due to budget blowouts. Just a month later, the government of Alberta pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing rising costs. Advertisement Glasgow has agreed to step in as host for next year's event but only after getting assurances they could run a scaled-down version, with 10 sports set to take place across four venues in the city. "International netball has never been more competitive but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate," Harold added. "World Netball needs to support its members and deliver solutions that mean everyone in the ecosystem benefits." Australia beat England in the final of the 2023 World Cup to claim a record-extending 12th title. The governing body says men's netball is "gaining momentum rapidly" and intends to support that growth by introducing a World Cup. Advertisement England men played their first international match in October 2022, having been formed just seven months earlier. Australia, a dominant force in both men's and women's netball, has been running a men's and mixed netball championship for more than 40 years. New Zealand, the Caribbean and Americas regions all field men's national teams and clubs continue to emerge across Africa. "The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion," Harold said. Advertisement "I have enjoyed engaging with men's netball groups over the past few months and we will continue to collaborate with them to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men's Netball World Cup happen in the next few years."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Plans for Netball World Cup every two years
World Netball has announced plans for the World Cup to take place every two years as they look to "future-proof" uncertainty around the Commonwealth has been an official Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 and has relied on the event to showcase the sport to a wider World Cup traditionally takes place on a four-year cycle with the next tournament set to be hosted in Australia in long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is unclear after difficulties finding a host nation for the 2026 edition due to rising Netball also plans to introduce a men's World Cup competition."We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026," World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said on the decision to switch the World Cup to a biennial event."These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it's positive news for everyone."As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term."The governing body says all future World Cups will take place in November to allow for consistency and avoid disruption to domestic are also launching a new biennial event from November 2028 that will take place in non-World Cup won the bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria but pulled out in July 2023 due to budget a month later, the government of Alberta pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing rising has agreed to step in as host for next year's event but only after getting assurances they could run a scaled-down version, with 10 sports set to take place across four venues in the city."International netball has never been more competitive but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate," Harold added."World Netball needs to support its members and deliver solutions that mean everyone in the ecosystem benefits."Australia beat England in the final of the 2023 World Cup to claim a record-extending 12th title. The governing body says men's netball is "gaining momentum rapidly" and intends to support that growth by introducing a World men played their first international match in October 2022, having been formed just seven months a dominant force in both men's and women's netball, has been running a men's and mixed netball championship for more than 40 Zealand, the Caribbean and Americas regions all field men's national teams and clubs continue to emerge across Africa."The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion," Harold said."I have enjoyed engaging with men's netball groups over the past few months and we will continue to collaborate with them to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men's Netball World Cup happen in the next few years."
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Sport
- Mid East Info
UAE NETBALL CUP 2025 CAPTAINS COME TOGETHER AT DUBAI FRAME AHEAD OF KICK-OFF TODAY - Middle East Business News and Information
Team captains from the six competing nations gathered at one of the city's most iconic landmarks, Dubai Frame, to mark the official start of the inaugural UAE Netball Cup 2025, which kicks off today at Al Nasr Sports Hall. The captains of the UAE, USA, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Kenya, and Namibia posed for a united moment overlooking the Dubai skyline, setting the stage for a week of top-level international netball. Hosted by the UAE Netball Federation in partnership with Falcon and Associates and Dubai Sports Council, and supported by Title Sponsor Dubai Holding Community Management, the tournament brings together rising nations from the World Netball rankings to compete in a dynamic round-robin format ahead of the finals on Saturday 21 June. About UAE Netball Federation: Netball has been played in the UAE for over 40 years, with the sport evolving significantly in recent years. In 2010, Active Netball launched to introduce structured leagues and coaching outside of school environments, helping to develop a strong club system and player pathways. To further progress the sport and broaden opportunities across the community, the UAE Netball Federation was established as the National Governing Body in 2017. Since 2018, it has been a proud member of both Europe Netball and World Netball, earning the UAE the right to compete internationally at U17 and senior levels. Today, the UAE is ranked 23rd in the World Netball Rankings and continues to grow. The Federation is a voluntary organisation working in partnership with Active Netball to promote netball for all ages and abilities, with a mission to expand international exposure for national squads and bring world-class competition to the region.
Mid East Info
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Mid East Info
DUBAI TO HOST INAUGURAL UAE NETBALL CUP WITH DUBAI HOLDING COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT AS TITLE SPONSOR - Middle East Business News and Information
Top-ranked nations set to battle for glory The UAE Falcons, currently 23rd in the world Dubai, UAE – June , 2025: Dubai is set to welcome six of the world's top emerging netball nations this month, as the UAE Netball Cup 2025 makes its debut at Al Nasr Club's Sports Hall from June 15–21. Hosted by the UAE Netball Federation in partnership with Falcon and Associates and Dubai Sports Council, the tournament has secured Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) as its title sponsor. The sponsorship highlights DHCM's commitment to fostering wellbeing and active lifestyles across Dubai's communities, while supporting the growth of international women's netball in the region. Believing in the unifying power of sport, DHCM's support for this premier event underscores its dedication to wellness-driven communities, youth empowerment and community engagement. This partnership reflects DHCM's broader mission to cultivate vibrant, people-first environments where wellbeing, social connection and community spirit flourish. The competition will feature national teams from UAE ranked 23rd, Republic of Ireland 18th, Singapore 19th, Namibia 20th, Kenya 25th and the USA 30th. All six teams are ranked within the top 30 in the World Netball standings, setting the stage for an exciting week of closely matched fixtures and intense international rivalry. Played in a round-robin format, the tournament will see three matches a day from June 15-17 and June 19-20, culminating in a thrilling finals day on June 21 Saturday, where teams will battle it out for podium positions. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Susanne Skelding, Founder of Active Netball and a key figure in the development of the sport in the region, said: 'We are incredibly proud to see Dubai host its first-ever World Netball-recognised event. The standard of competition will be fierce, with just a few ranking places separating each team. For the UAE Falcons, it's a huge moment to play on home soil against global opponents – and for fans, it's a chance to witness world-class netball up close.' 'At DHCM, we believe that sport is a powerful unifier. It builds bonds, boosts wellbeing and creates moments that communities remember. Our support for the UAE Netball Cup is more than a sponsorship; it's an expression of our values. We proudly stand behind a platform that champions women and brings communities together through sport,' said Francis Giani, Chief Community Management Officer, Dubai Holding Community Management. The UAE Falcons, currently 23rd in the world, enter the competition with a dynamic squad that blends experienced leadership with rising stars from the country's U17 and U21 national development pathways. With home-court advantage and strong local support, they will be pushing for a landmark performance in front of a passionate crowd. This tournament not only gives the Falcons a valuable opportunity to climb the international ladder but also marks a significant milestone for netball's growth in the UAE. As an officially sanctioned World Netball event, it reflects the increasing competitiveness of the sport and its expanding reach in the Middle East. The UAE Netball Cup adds a new and exciting fixture to Dubai's growing calendar of international sporting events. Joining Dubai Holding Community Management as Title Sponsor – The Entertainer, Cognita Schools, Rove Hotels, Dubai Duty Free and Mediclinic Middle East have been confirmed as official partners of the inaugural UAE Netball Cup. About UAE Netball Federation: Netball has been played in the UAE for over 40 years, with the sport evolving significantly in recent years. In 2010, Active Netball launched to introduce structured leagues and coaching outside of school environments, helping to develop a strong club system and player pathways. To further progress the sport and broaden opportunities across the community, the UAE Netball Federation was established as the National Governing Body in 2017. Since 2018, it has been a proud member of both Europe Netball and World Netball, earning the UAE the right to compete internationally at U17 and senior levels. Today, the UAE is ranked 23rd in the World Netball Rankings and continues to grow. The Federation is a voluntary organisation working in partnership with Active Netball to promote netball for all ages and abilities, with a mission to expand international exposure for national squads and bring world-class competition to the region. About DHCM: Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) is an integrated, customer-centric community management organisation committed to creating the region's most desirable communities. Guided by its three strategic pillars being customer-centric, community-focused, and technology-driven. DHCM delivers vibrant, connected and sustainable living environments in its communities across Dubai. With a strong focus on resident wellbeing, engagement, and service excellence, DHCM supports a wide range of initiatives that foster inclusive, thriving communities. Through innovation, collaboration and a dedication to quality of life, DHCM is shaping the future of community living in Dubai.
