Latest news with #WorldNetball
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
New Oceania Netball president is optimistic despite challenges
New Oceania Netball president Salote Sisifa. Photo: OCN The new Oceania Netball Federation president says there is a lot of work to be done to ensure that the sport's growth and development continue to align with and be in step with international growth. Tonga's Salote Adi Lopaukamea Sisifa was confirmed as president at the 10th Oceania Netball annual general meeting in Nuku'alofa on Thursday. Her appointment comes amid changes announced by World Netball last week, which include holding the Netball World Cup (NWC) every two years and introducing a Men's World Cup. "I think it is both welcoming and a surprise at the same time for all of us in Oceania," Sisifa told RNZ Pacific from Nuku'alofa. "We are currently struggling with the four-year cycle of getting teams to competitions. I think World Netball is still taking feedback in terms of how to actually roll this out, and from Oceania we have feedback on that to be given." The world governing body for the sport has announced that from NWC 2027 onwards, the format and schedule of the NWC will change, including the introduction of cup and plate competitions. It is part of World Netball's wider mission to develop and deliver a pipeline of international events that showcase the very best of its sport to more people more often, taking netball into a new chapter. After NWC 2027 in Sydney, all future World Cups will take place in November. With the new two-year world cup cycle, the next NWC will be held in November 2029, while in between the two years there will be a new biennial event from November 2028, that will take place in non-NWC years. "It's challenging times for the world, in all areas, but more so in sports," she said. "Trying to get teams out there to competitions, trying to get world rankings, and trying to move up in world rankings for the teams in Oceania "Those are some of the challenges and the common challenges of the Pacific that we face." Sisifa, who was interim president for a few months, was confirmed as the new president and replaces the late Wainikiti Waqa of Fiji, who died in January this year. She said she was humbled and honoured to be appointed to the role. "I'm well aware that this trust comes with responsibilities, expectations, and of course challenges," she said. "I'm excited to take on this role for the best interests of Oceania Netball, and I look forward to working with the executives of Oceania Netball, and the member countries to implement and sustain our shared visions and goals." Sisifa said she is still trying to take in the responsibility and what it means, but believes the support of the regional federations, and that of her own local team in Nuku'alofa, will be a major boost for her. "Work is just ongoing. This is something we have done and keep doing in this line of work, having served as the interim president," she said from Nuku'alofa. "I am very humbled for the trust to give me and Tonga the opportunity to lead as president." She said Tonga Netball was able to share with the Oceania representatives at the annual general meeting how they have managed to partner with stakeholders, including the Tongan government and Australia, to develop the sport. Sisifa said the importance of partnership is something that she wants to continue to emphasise to Oceania members. "One of the strengths of Tonga Netball is being there for other organisations and those other organisations will be there for your organisation, which I hope we can take out into a Oceania perspective," she said. "Or tailor it as something that can happen for Oceania, for the governments to come through and support netball because it is the leading women's sport in the Pacific and now netball has opened up to men and a world cup is coming up." Oceania Netball said Sisifa brings a wealth of experience, and a strong passion and commitment to lead netball in Oceania. "Sisifa has had an extensive career as a leadership executive in netball and journalism," Oceania netball said in their statement. "She is currently the CEO of Tonga Netball Association, and has a successful track record of achievements such as taking the Kingdom of Tonga to new heights in the regional and international Netball Stage. "Importantly, Sisifa has demonstrated clear vision, commitment, and leadership qualities befitting to lead, enhance and sustain the development of netball in Oceania." Sisifa is now the third president of Oceania Netball, following the late Bogidrau, who served as the second president from 2019 to 2024, and Nina Brown of the Cook Islands, who served as the first president from 2014 to 2019.
Al Bawaba
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Bawaba
Namibia crowned champions of inaugural UAE Netball Cup 2025 in Dubai
Namibia emerged victorious at the inaugural Dubai Holding Community Management UAE Netball Cup 2025, following a thrilling final held at Al Nasr Sports Hall in landmark tournament marked a major step forward for international netball in the Middle East and reinforced Dubai's growing reputation as a world-class host for elite women's sports as week-long event welcomed six national teams ranked between 18th and 30th in the World Netball standings: Namibia (20), Singapore (19), Kenya (25), Ireland (18), the UAE (23), and the United States (30).Namibia clinched the title with an exciting 62–53 win over Singapore in the final. Kenya secured third place after defeating Ireland 46-37, while the UAE Falcons impressed home fans with a fluent 65-48 victory over the United States to finish UAE Falcons showcased both skill and determination throughout the tournament, fielding a dynamic squad that blended experienced players with emerging talent developed through the nation's U17 and U21 pathways. Their performance earned admiration from spectators and provided a valuable boost to the team's international an officially sanctioned World Netball event, the UAE Netball Cup 2025 highlighted the sport's increasing global competitiveness and its accelerating growth in the Middle East. With six international teams competing in Dubai, the tournament added a dynamic new chapter to the city's sporting calendar and strengthened regional momentum behind women's awards ceremony was attended by His Excellency Saeed Harib, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council; Abdelrahim Al Hashimi, Chairman of the UAE Netball Federation; Francis Jiani, CEO of Dubai Holding Community Management; and Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, alongside a large crowd of passionate Skelding, Founder of Active Netball, commented: 'This tournament has been a dream in the making for many years, and to see it come to life on this scale is incredibly special. The standard of competition has been outstanding, and it's a true testament to how far netball has come in the UAE. Hosting six international teams here in Dubai shows the strength of our ambition and the passion within our community. I'm so proud of the UAE Falcons and of everyone who helped make this event a success - it's a huge step forward for the sport in the region.' Organised by the UAE Netball Federation in partnership with Falcon and Associates and Dubai Sports Council and proudly supported by Title Sponsor Dubai Holding Community Management, the tournament received additional backing from The Entertainer, Cognita Schools, Rove Hotels, Dubai Duty Free, and Mediclinic Middle East - all of whom contributed to delivering a world-class experience for players, officials and fans.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- 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
18-06-2025
- 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
18-06-2025
- 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."
