Another month sees more exciting netball news from around the world as domestic teams battle for the top spots and international players showcase their skills in the hope of making the plane to Cape Town in July. From new opportunities to exciting comebacks, there’s certainly enough for us to get our teeth into this month!
Harten retires
After 16 years and 117 test caps, Jo Harten has announced her international retirement, so that she can focus on her club netball with Giants. Harten changed the way many shooters played the game, adding movement and long range shooting skills to that of a holding shooter. The always passionate English Rose was all heart, and her leadership extraordinary. A recent article featuring Jo Harten can be read here.
Jo Harten gold medallist – 2018 Commonwealth Games. Image Marcela Massey
100 Days to Netball World Cup
There are now officially less than 100 days to go until the first centre pass at the 2023 Netball World Cup. We’ve had team announcements from Singapore and Sri Lanka, Dame Noeline Taurua has given some insight into her selection process, and the Diamonds squad announcement will be this week.
Hosts Netball SA have begun the countdown with the unveiling of a road mural and the launch of Street Netball – a regional programme that will reach 768 girls under the age of 13 in communities plagued by poverty and lack of adequate facilities. The hosts will be looking to improve on their fourth place position in 2019, but with the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and England to contend with, it looks like it’s going to be a tough battle for the top.
You can read more about Netball SA’s countdown to the World Cup here.
Going for Gold GoFundMe
With some nations struggling for funds, Jamaica have announced they are hoping to raise USD$100 000 towards their Netball World Cup campaign. The funds will help prepare a squad of 30, and cover the cost of travel expenses. For more, and on how to donate, the story is here.
Nelson moves into Superleague role
Big news from the UK this week, as it was announced that current Strathclyde Sirens CEO Claire Nelson will be taking up a post as the first-ever Managing Director of the Netball Super League. The role will lead the professionalisation of women’s netball, a hugely exciting time for the sport, and Claire’s impact at Sirens has been undeniable during her time at the club.
Whilst Claire’s departure will be a big loss for the Sirens, this move is testament to the growth of the sport in the UK and it’s exciting to hear the conversation around professionalism continue. You can read the full story here.
Mark Foster has also been appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer.
2023 PacificAus Sports Netball Series
Eight teams are facing off on the Gold Coast this week in the PacificAus Sports Netball Series. This year sees the inclusion of three African netballing nations, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia, for the first time. They will line up against returning sides Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore and current champions Tonga in the hopes of getting to the final on the 29th of April.
The additional team inclusion provides a fantastic opportunity for all the sides to play teams they might only meet every four years at the World Cup, so for these teams to come up against each other in the run up to the big dance gives us a bit of insight into what we can expect in Cape Town! If you’re on the Gold Coast this week, entry is free and there are no tickets required, otherwise you can watch the stream on Netball Australia TV.
You can find out more about the PacificAus Sports Programme here.
Teams and results are on the Netball Scoop website here.
Coaches looking on at the Pacific Aus Netball Series. Image Simon Leonard.
Serious air time at the Pacific Aus Netball Series. Image Simon Leonard.
Don’t call it a comeback
We’ve seen not one, not two, but THREE comeback announcements over the past month in the netball world. Former Silver Fern Cat Tuivaiti, one of the players impacted by Wasps Netball going into administration last year, has been announced as part of the Gold Coast Titans netball squad for 2023, whilst England Netball fan favourite Rachel Dunn, another former Wasp, has joined Celtic Dragons for the rest of the season to replace injured shooter Chelsea Beard. At the other end of the court, another former Silver Fern has made her way back to the court, as Katrina Rore has joined her former side Pulse Netball as an injury replacement for the rest of the season.
In addition, Tuivati has joined Tonga Tala for the PacificAus series.
It’s so exciting to see these names back on court, and for them to have an opportunity to play netball again following different circumstances, and I can’t wait to see the impact they have!
Champions defend titles
The Blaze Dolphins retained their Deloitte Netball Super League title in Singapore last month, beating the Sneakers Stingrays 43 – 41 to hold on to the trophy. We’ll be able to see a number of players from the final representing Singapore at the Netball World Cup this summer, including Khor Ting Fang and Lee Pei Shan. You can read the full match report here.
In Namibia, Khomas Region defended their title against Otjozondjupa in The Namibian Newspaper Cup, where U20 teams from across the country compete for the title. The final score was 34 – 27 to the defending champions.
Netball Europe Open Challenge
If you’re looking for even more international netball in the run up to NWC2023, the Netball Europe Open Challenge takes place in Cardiff from the 10th – 14th of May. Featuring teams from the UAE, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, Switzerland, France and Israel, as well as the Wales development squad, there will be plenty of opportunity to watch teams that we don’t always get to see on screen. If you’re in Cardiff, you can get tickets here, otherwise Netball Europe have got you covered with a live stream.
Netball introduced into Scottish care homes
Kinross Netball Club are working alongside Netball Scotland and Scottish Care to introduce netball activities for residents at a local care home which provides holistic care tailored to meet the needs of elderly people with underlying health concerns, dementia and reduced mobility.
Netball Scotland are providing resources and training on how to make the best of equipment, balls, hand held nets, small floor stands and wall mounted nets to allow fun, seated netball. The club’s U13s have been playing netball with the residents, many of whom enjoyed playing netball in their younger days and the plan is to run fortnightly sessions to help them to enjoy it once again.
That’s a wrap for April! It’s such a treat to be able to look back over the month and see how much is going on from netball teams and governing bodies around the world. Who knows what we’ll see in May…
