NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD: 30 JUNE 2012
Netball may not be played at the Olympics yet, but our sport was in the Olympic spotlight this week when one of English netball's stalwarts, Denise Egan, was selected to carry the Olympic torch during its journey through the British Isles. Egan, who was assistant national coach to Marg Caldow, as well as a former head coach of Team Northumbria, carried the torch as it passed through the North East of the country. Other English netballing representatives have also been selected to carry the torch as it moves towards London and the start of the Games on 27 July. Denise is pictured during her run.
Following the completion of the 2012 USA Netball Association (USANA) National Championships in Delray Beach last weekend, a long squad of 15 players has been selected to represent the Flying Eagles at the upcoming AFNA Championships in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Those named in the long squad are: Tyiesha Bennett, Measha Brown, Natalie Cousins, Roniesh Davis, Kirsty Deathe, Camille Henry, Dailan McArthur, Moya McLean, Taneisha Morrison, Tasha Morgan, Annette Payne, Elfreda Reid, Swasha Shaw, Don Small, Justine Tilson. USANA Head Coach Matthais Wilkie will name the final 12 players to travel to the championships shortly before their departure to T&T on 12 July.
The 2012 Pacific Netball Series reaches its grand final this evening (Friday), after a week of hotly contested matches. Holders Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 70-29 in their opening match, with 16 year old shooter Unaisi Rauluni impressing with 21 goals after joining the game as a replacement in the third quarter. Fiji then defeated Samoa 49-41 to advance to the final. The Cook Islands lost to Samoa 40-49, but regrouped to qualify for the final with a 62-56 win against a battling Papua New Guinea side. Meanwhile Fiji's U21 side has played three training matches against Vanuatu alongside the PNS competition, in preparation for next year's World Youth Championships and as experience for the emerging nation.
Jamaica's latest shooting sensation Jhanelle Fowler appears to have turned her back on a potential ANZ Championship contract for now, after Jamaican media confirmed that she is to take up the scholarship at the University of Technology offered to her at the conclusion of the recent series between the Sunshine Girls and South Africa. Fowler was offered a contract with the Adelaide Thunderbirds this year but was unable to fulfill it due to restrictions on import numbers. She now hopes to start her university scholarship in September, to read business studies, while continuing her training with the Jamaican team.
Netball Singapore is electing a new executive committee this week, after it was announced that the current President of the Association, Tan Wee Khim, is stepping down after seven years in charge. Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC Jessica Tan is the only nominee for the presidential role and is expected to be elected by this evening. Ms Tan was chair of the organising committee for last year's Mission Foods World Netball Championships, held in Singapore. A new vice president and four committee members, who will all serve a two year term, will also be elected.
Selectors in Antigua and Barbuda have named a ten member national U23 squad to take part in the OECS Under 23 Caribbean Championships in Grenada in July. Three newcomers – Mara Baptiste, Tyea Ladoo and Kay Joseph – are named for international honours for the first time. The other players named are Penelope Adams, Ariel Alexander, Jamila Fitz, Tricia Jarvis, Kristel King, Shermain Refer and Kizzy Thomas. The squad will leave for the competition on 6 July, under the watchful eye of coach Cleopatra James.
The 2012 ANZ Championships reaches its final round of matches ahead of the play offs this weekend, with six teams still in contention for the four play off spots. The Melbourne Vixens have moved back to the top of the ladder, after a 49-41 win over the Central Pulse, and have stayed in New Zealand ahead of this week's meeting with the Southern Steel in Invercargill: a win for the Vixens would secure the Minor Premiership for them and a “double chance” to make the Grand Final. Waikato/BOP Magic have qualified for every finals series in the history of the championships and demonstrated that they are coming into form despite opening the season with four straight losses, after a dominant 59-42 win over the Adelaide Thundebirds. That victory moved the Kiwi team into third place, one place ahead of the south Australian side. The Northern Mystics, currently in second place after a 64-55 win against the Canterbury Tactix, face the New South Wales Swifts (who defeated the Steel 55-42). In the final game of the round last weekend, reigning champions the Queensland Firebirds moved back into play off contention with a 63-43 win against the West Coast Fever – their match against the Magic this weekend is set to be one of the most closely contested games of the competition with both sides eager to seal a play off berth.
For more information about netball around the world, please visit IFNA's website at www.netball.org.
