Latest news with #FionaHarold
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Plans for Netball World Cup every two years
Australia beat England 61-45 in the final of the 2023 World Cup [Getty Images] World Netball has announced plans for the World Cup to take place every two years as they look to "future-proof" uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games. The World Cup traditionally takes place on a four-year cycle with the next tournament set to be hosted in Australia in 2027. Advertisement The long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is unclear after difficulties finding a host nation for the 2026 edition due to rising costs. World Netball also plans to introduce a men's World Cup competition. "We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026," World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said on the decision to switch the World Cup to a biennial event. "These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it's positive news for everyone. "As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term." Advertisement The governing body says all future World Cups will take place in November to allow for consistency and avoid disruption to domestic leagues. They also are also launching a new biennial event from November 2028 that will take place in non-World Cup years. Netball has been an official Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 and has relied on the event to showcase the sport to a wider audience. Australia won the bid to host the 2026 Games in Victoria but pulled out in July 2023 due to budget blowouts. Just a month later, the government of Alberta pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing rising costs. Advertisement Glasgow has agreed to step in as host for next year's event but only after getting assurances they could run a scaled-down version, with 10 sports set to take place across four venues in the city. "International netball has never been more competitive but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate," Harold added. "World Netball needs to support its members and deliver solutions that mean everyone in the ecosystem benefits." Australia beat England in the final of the 2023 World Cup to claim a record-extending 12th title. The governing body says men's netball is "gaining momentum rapidly" and intends to support that growth by introducing a World Cup. Advertisement England men played their first international match in October 2022, having been formed just seven months earlier. Australia, a dominant force in both men's and women's netball, has been running a men's and mixed netball championship for more than 40 years. New Zealand, the Caribbean and Americas regions all field men's national teams and clubs continue to emerge across Africa. "The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion," Harold said. Advertisement "I have enjoyed engaging with men's netball groups over the past few months and we will continue to collaborate with them to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men's Netball World Cup happen in the next few years."
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Plans for Netball World Cup every two years
World Netball has announced plans for the World Cup to take place every two years as they look to "future-proof" uncertainty around the Commonwealth has been an official Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 and has relied on the event to showcase the sport to a wider World Cup traditionally takes place on a four-year cycle with the next tournament set to be hosted in Australia in long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is unclear after difficulties finding a host nation for the 2026 edition due to rising Netball also plans to introduce a men's World Cup competition."We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026," World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said on the decision to switch the World Cup to a biennial event."These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it's positive news for everyone."As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term."The governing body says all future World Cups will take place in November to allow for consistency and avoid disruption to domestic are also launching a new biennial event from November 2028 that will take place in non-World Cup won the bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria but pulled out in July 2023 due to budget a month later, the government of Alberta pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing rising has agreed to step in as host for next year's event but only after getting assurances they could run a scaled-down version, with 10 sports set to take place across four venues in the city."International netball has never been more competitive but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate," Harold added."World Netball needs to support its members and deliver solutions that mean everyone in the ecosystem benefits."Australia beat England in the final of the 2023 World Cup to claim a record-extending 12th title. The governing body says men's netball is "gaining momentum rapidly" and intends to support that growth by introducing a World men played their first international match in October 2022, having been formed just seven months a dominant force in both men's and women's netball, has been running a men's and mixed netball championship for more than 40 Zealand, the Caribbean and Americas regions all field men's national teams and clubs continue to emerge across Africa."The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion," Harold said."I have enjoyed engaging with men's netball groups over the past few months and we will continue to collaborate with them to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men's Netball World Cup happen in the next few years."
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Changes coming for 2027 World Cup
Netball is in for yet more changes at the next World Cup. World Netball announced the 2027 World Cup, to be held in Sydney from August 25 to September 5, will introduce both cup and plate competitions. What that means or how the landscape of the competition will look is yet to be determined. The World Cup will also be played at one venue to give all teams equal opportunities, and the tournament will be extended and played across 12 days to allow players additional recovery time. World Netball chief executive Fiona Harold said the governing body was reviewing all of its systems to make "bold decisions to sustain the game in the immediate term and have a material impact on growth in the long term". "This is a first step in making change as we look to maximise our pinnacle event," Harold said. "It's crucial that we adapt and evolve our products in today's challenging and competitive commercial market, whilst at the same time protecting our athletes and their welfare in what is an increasingly demanding annual schedule." Qualification for the World Cup will remain the same. The top five teams in the world at December 1 this year — and hosts Australia — will be confirmed. Five regional qualifiers will be held from January to September next year to determine the other 10 teams. The top two teams from each qualifying event will be included.
