The Official Quarterly Newsletter of the International Netball Federation November 2014 netballnews world inside FAST5 Action in Auckland We preview Netball World Series 2014 Netball's Rapid Rise in Asia New countries joining the netball family Netball Shines Netball World Cup 2015 in Glasgow Sixteen teams are on their way to Sydney netball.org | 1 IFNA Mag Spread July 2014_Layout 1 26/06/2014 16:39 Page 1 GILBERT NETBALL proud sponsors of the international netball federation Gilbert Netball is the only truly global Netball brand. Teamwear The Gilbert netball teamwear range offers We sell products in every Netball playing country a combination of high-performance fabrics around the world and assist the development of in conjunction with a comfortable and the game by developing links in countries where functional fit to meet a player’s match and Netball is emerging. training kit requirements at every level. 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Customised luggage and OTHER products are also available upon request. contact your sales representative or call 0845 066 1823 www.gilbert-netball.com 2 | netball.org Created 2Perform netball.org | 3 CEO Governance Welcome to our Netball World What a time this is for world netball. Netball certainly lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting tournaments at the Commonwealth Games. The immaculate organisation and wonderful atmosphere of the 2014 Glasgow games provided a From superb showcase for netball, and our athletes, umpires, coaches and thousands of fans rose to the occasion in the full glare of unprecedented media interest in our sport. But the story doesn’t stop there, are playing, and enjoying the benefits of fun, friendship and the Top next it’s Auckland’s turn to step fitness. Our task, as netball’s international governing body, is into the spotlight, as New Zealand to ensure that the world’s top women’s team sport continues hosts FAST5 Netball World Series, to lead from the front. Success at the top of our sport depends the INF’s fast and exciting version on healthy grassroots netball; recognising the incredible INF CEO Clare Briegal WADA code. These new rules will be of the strengths and weaknesses of of netball. FAST5 is hugely contribution our volunteers make, and the crucial importance shares the latest decisions issued in November to Members to our current system. entertaining, an ideal way to win of coaches and umpires to our thriving game. Indeed, in allow time for Administrators, Athletes netball new friends, discover new order to ensure that the game of netball remains a vibrant being taken by the INF and Coaches to understand the The INF Board is delighted with the talent, and take netball to a larger and thrilling sport fit for a rapidly changing world, the INF is Board to ensure that changes. INF will also be undertaking response rate for the survey and will a programme of education during the be reviewing the recommendations international TV audience. undertaking a professional review of international umpiring, as netball’s governing body well as reviewing the rules, recognising the impact these have year to ensure we remain a clean of the report at the November Board Next year sees the first Netball World Cup, a new spin on our on the health of our sport. continues to set world sport. Look out for this at the Netball meeting. world championships which brings netball’s premier event in class standards for a world World Cup and go to our website line with other world-class sports. I am delighted to see four I urge member countries to encourage their players to become and www.wada-ama.org for further New Codes and African nations getting through to the final 16, with Uganda involved in coaching and umpiring as there is a growing need class sport. information. Guidelines for Members and Zambia making only their second appearance since for these skills internationally. Let us ensure that we explore INF has published a new Code of 1963. It was also exciting to see Argentina take part in the and develop the full range of netball’s amazing pool of talent, Netballers, Play True International Umpiring Conduct for International Umpires Americas’ qualifiers, a country which is making enormous on and off the court. On 1 January 2015 the new WADA Under the Microscope and new Pregnancy Guidelines to strides in developing netball and must be congratulated for its anti-doping code comes into effect, The INF Board has commissioned supplement the updates to the passionate commitment to growing our sport. Sydney is the which has been designed specifically a complete review of International Regulations that were issued in July venue for our World Cup, and Australia promises to host an to protect the clean athlete. Doping Umpiring to assess the pathways and 2013. The Document Library on the unforgettable inaugural event. cheats, whether they be the processes in place and how we need INF Website, www.netball.org, is The Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ, CD athletes themselves or the coaches to evolve to meet the needs of our a central resource for all the official Netball is growing at a rapid pace. Women all over the world President, International Netball Federation and support personnel who have developing sport. Wharton Consulting documents of the INF. encouraged them to take performance from the UK were appointed to carry enhancing drugs, will be subjected out the study. Congress 2015 to stronger penalties including bans INF Congress will be held in August Contents of four years for the athletes or up to All International Umpires (IUA) and 2015 before the Netball World Cup in 4 Welcome lifetime bans for support personnel. International Talent Identified Umpires Sydney, Australia. Look out for further by INF President, the (ITID) were asked to complete communications on this from the INF Hon. Molly Rhone OJ, CD INF welcomes the introduction of the an online survey and umpiring Secretariat early in 2015. The new rules new code and our anti-doping rules experts from around the world were will be implemented for international 5 From the Top have been updated to reflect the new interviewed to develop a clear picture matches from January 2016. INF CEO Clare Briegal shares decisions made by the Board 6 Netball Shines in Glasgow A round-up of the Commonwealth Games 2014 8 Sixteen Nations Unite The journey so far on the way to Netball World Cup 2015 10 10 Netball’s Growth in Asia News from the region on how netball is making its mark 16 12 Rules Review The latest from RAP Chair Cheryl Danson on rule changes 14 FAST5 Action in Auckland Looking ahead to the Netball World Series 2014 16 Netball News Latest news from around the world 12 4 | netball.org netball.org | 5 Commonwealth Games 2014 2014 saw Glasgow provide the back-drop for a superb Commonwealth Games, and netball played a leading role in the spectacle. Packed crowds witnessed an intense competition, in which it rapidly emerged that there was little to choose between the top five nations. The world’s media quickly picked up Malawi and New Zealand battle it out on the exhilaration of the netball competition, with top spot in Group A. Prior to this, the last-second winner after forcing coverage peaking for the Jamaicans’ toughest contest involved another turnover. seeing off a Malawi side inspired by medal matches. the athletic Mwai Kumwenda 81-50 The gold medal match once again in a thrilling match. Without frontline pitted the world’s top two against INF President, the Hon. Molly Rhone, shooters Tutaia or Latu, New Zealand each other and it was Australia who OJ, CD, was in demand for a non- struggled to impose their authority on were quickest out of the blocks, with 'We couldn't have had stop round of media interviews and a Jamaican side showing composure the attacking combination of Bassett, VIP visits to the netball court, with and discipline early on. The Kiwi Medhurst and Robinson providing a a better showcase special guests ranging from the Earl pressure ultimately told, however, masterclass of pace and precision. for netball. We were and Countess of Wessex to Usain and the holders edged through to the For the Kiwis, their opponents were Bolt. Molly Rhone explains: “The semi-finals 50-42. too hot to handle, and despite some able to demonstrate atmosphere was amazing, and typically dogged defence, for them the competition drew in the most Australia opened with a relatively there was no way back. Australia the quality and incredible range of spectators, who straightforward 63-36 win over Wales, regained the title with a 58-40 win. inclusiveness of the quickly got hooked. We couldn’t before encountering an England team have had a better showcase for filled with self-belief and ready to take England found it impossible to world's top women's netball.