16 Netball World Cup nations confirmed
After rigorous qualifying events across the five regions – Europe, Oceania, America, Asia and Africa – the INF has confirmed the 16 nations who will compete at the Netball World Cup Sydney 2015.
The top six nations automatically qualified when the INF World Rankings were confirmed in July. These were Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi and South Africa. As a result of the the Regional Qualifiers, they will be joined by Wales, Scotland, Fiji, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Zambia.
Zambia, who defeated higher ranked African nations, will be competing in only their second World Cup since the tournament began in 1963.
In Europe, England is one of four nations (Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica) to have played in every World Cup. Wales and Scotland also have a consistent record at the event, competing in 13 of the 14 editions of the tournament (missing the 1967 and 2011 Cups respectively).
In Asia, Sri Lanka upset higher ranked nations to join Singapore as the two qualifying nations last month while Fiji, Samoa, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have been preparing for Sydney 2015 after qualifying earlier in the year in events in the Cooks Islands (Oceania Region) and Canada (Americas Region).
International Netball Federation President, the Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ, CD, said: “This has been a particularly exciting lead up to the Netball World Cup, with an unprecedented four African nations making it through to the Finals. The competition will be fierce and the rivalry intense at our flagship INF event next August.”
For Netball World Cup Chief Executive, Marne Fechner, the confirmation of competing nations is a significant milestone in the road to Sydney.
“We are thrilled to have our 16 qualifying nations officially confirmed with just under a year until the Netball World Cup commences in Sydney,” Fechner said.
“It’s been an exciting process, that has seen regional qualifying events stretching across the globe, from Singapore to Canada to Botswana, and we’re now thrilled to know the 16 teams that will contest for netball’s biggest prize.
“Every nation will take a different road to Sydney 2015, and we know the diverse mix of netball styles and culture will help make the event an electrifying 10 days of competition on and off the court.
“We invite the people of Australia, and each nation around the globe to get behind their team on their road to Sydney and join in the biggest celebration of international netball the world has ever seen.”
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