Netball World Cup 2023 Preview


By Peter Moore

This years Netball World Cup starting today Friday 28th July, is likely mto be the most tightly contested in the history of the competition.

The competition will be hosted by South Africa, who are hosting the World Cup for the first time in their history, and it is also the first time the World Cup has been held on the continent of Africa.

At the last Netball World Cup which was held back in 2019 in Liverpool, South Africa finished fourth.

16 teams have qualified for the Netball World Cup with South Africa automatically qualifying as hosts.

The 16th edition of the competition will see Australia looking to wrestle back the trophy that they lost out to last time around in England.

Host nation South Africa are more than capable of beating the worlds best and with home advantage are in with a great shout of going a long way in the event.

Coached by one of netball’s finest in Norma Plummer AM,the Proteas will be a force to be reckoned with.

The England Roses will once again be a very difficult side to beat with a mixture of experience and youth in their side. Geva Mentor and Jade Clarke will be entering a record sixth World Cup for the Roses.

Jamiaca posses an athletic side full of talent, with many of the girls playing in the Suncorp Super Netball League.#Eke

The Sunshine Girls have two of the worlds best players with Jhaniele Fowler in the shooting circle and Shamera Sterling in defence.

The 2019 World Champions New Zealand will want to extend their rivalry with the Diamonds after defeating  Australia by just a single goal in Liverpool.

The side has talent all around the court with captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio able to shoot from any distance along with youngster Grace Nweke, another strong shooter.

Overall, this tournament certainly looks to have the makings of being one of the besty ever with Australia looking to make it three World Cup wins in the past four tournaments and England looking to beat their last three placings in the tournament finishing third behind New Zealand twice and Australia.