Latest news with #SusanneSkelding
The National
a day ago
- Sport
- The National
UAE Netball Cup to showcase talent and Dubai as an international hub, says coach
The inaugural UAE Netball Cup takes place in Dubai next week with world ranking points up for grabs. The national team will face Kenya, Namibia, Singapore, Republic of Ireland, and USA in a round-robin league at the Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan indoor stadium at Al Nasr Club from June 15 to 21. 'We really wanted to try and bring some depth here to this fantastic location, so here we are, pleased to do just that with a world ranking event,' national team coach Susanne Skelding told The National. The UAE are currently 23rd in the world rankings but have traditionally played all their tournaments in Europe, where the game has strong roots. Skelding said the reason for hosting an international tournament on home soil was to increase the UAE's ranking, and showcase the country as a hub for netball, with the ultimate aim of hosting a future netball World Cup. 'It's a fantastic location," said Skelding. "Netball is pretty much a commonwealth sport, and so you've got your top countries are one end of the globe and the other end of the globe. 'Australia, obviously, and New Zealand, and England on the other side of the world are your top nations. Jamaica, also, in that top four. And it really is a great location for, I think, all of those teams. 'We wanted to showcase that we could host an international event here to attract some of the top teams to potentially come and host a test series and maybe a fast-five competition, maybe even a World Cup. 'And that is definitely what we are aiming to do, to be able to host a big international tournament like this.' The teams for the inaugural UAE Cup has been randomly selected. Namibia (18th) are the top-ranked team in the competition with the USA ranked in the 30s. The UAE has been preparing for the championship since they returned from the Brexit Cup in Singapore last September. 'We have a core of players who have been playing for quite a few years. Carly Lewis is the captain and she's been there since inception in 2018. There have been people who have been coming and going. 'We've also got four young players that have come up through the development programmes and into the young Falcons and now are playing as UAE Falcons. And their preparation has been extreme. 'The squad had lots of training on a bi-weekly basis but in addition we've had some showcase games and showcasing and some training games against a men's team.' Skelding has been working for over 14 years in the development and promotion of netball in the UAE, from school level upwards. 'We have a fantastic schools programme both in Sharjah, in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai. So they play fantastic netball at the schools level. In addition to that, on the next level you've got club netball. 'Over the last 10 years, there have been a lot of clubs that have formed. Now, some of these are independent clubs that have formed. They're all clubs on their own.' Skelding, also director of Active Sports, has overseen the formation of various leagues all over Dubai and Abu Dhabi, spread across various age groups and skill levels. 'There's been lots of developments at a grassroots level. It's really important, I think, to not just look at the top bit of the cherry on the cake, I think it's really important to build that grassroots development structure underneath. 'There are leagues that happen all over Dubai, all over Abu Dhabi, from all different ages, from tiny little ones like, you know, five to six years old, all the way up to adults, at all different levels. 'We're building quite a following for netball. And what that does is it builds the ecosystem of netball within the country.' The UAE squad for the Six Nations Cup: Carly Lewis (Capt), Sophie Hankin (V. Capt), Holly Guerin, Isla Edgar, Ellie Smith, Jenna Guy, Molly Fuller, Rachel Tuckey, Mila Morgan, Kelly Loy, Fiona van Dam, Evie Hollis, Sophie Nesbitt, Abbie Wright.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mid East Info
DUBAI TO HOST INAUGURAL UAE NETBALL CUP WITH DUBAI HOLDING COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT AS TITLE SPONSOR - Middle East Business News and Information
Top-ranked nations set to battle for glory The UAE Falcons, currently 23rd in the world Dubai, UAE – June , 2025: Dubai is set to welcome six of the world's top emerging netball nations this month, as the UAE Netball Cup 2025 makes its debut at Al Nasr Club's Sports Hall from June 15–21. Hosted by the UAE Netball Federation in partnership with Falcon and Associates and Dubai Sports Council, the tournament has secured Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) as its title sponsor. The sponsorship highlights DHCM's commitment to fostering wellbeing and active lifestyles across Dubai's communities, while supporting the growth of international women's netball in the region. Believing in the unifying power of sport, DHCM's support for this premier event underscores its dedication to wellness-driven communities, youth empowerment and community engagement. This partnership reflects DHCM's broader mission to cultivate vibrant, people-first environments where wellbeing, social connection and community spirit flourish. The competition will feature national teams from UAE ranked 23rd, Republic of Ireland 18th, Singapore 19th, Namibia 20th, Kenya 25th and the USA 30th. All six teams are ranked within the top 30 in the World Netball standings, setting the stage for an exciting week of closely matched fixtures and intense international rivalry. Played in a round-robin format, the tournament will see three matches a day from June 15-17 and June 19-20, culminating in a thrilling finals day on June 21 Saturday, where teams will battle it out for podium positions. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Susanne Skelding, Founder of Active Netball and a key figure in the development of the sport in the region, said: 'We are incredibly proud to see Dubai host its first-ever World Netball-recognised event. The standard of competition will be fierce, with just a few ranking places separating each team. For the UAE Falcons, it's a huge moment to play on home soil against global opponents – and for fans, it's a chance to witness world-class netball up close.' 'At DHCM, we believe that sport is a powerful unifier. It builds bonds, boosts wellbeing and creates moments that communities remember. Our support for the UAE Netball Cup is more than a sponsorship; it's an expression of our values. We proudly stand behind a platform that champions women and brings communities together through sport,' said Francis Giani, Chief Community Management Officer, Dubai Holding Community Management. The UAE Falcons, currently 23rd in the world, enter the competition with a dynamic squad that blends experienced leadership with rising stars from the country's U17 and U21 national development pathways. With home-court advantage and strong local support, they will be pushing for a landmark performance in front of a passionate crowd. This tournament not only gives the Falcons a valuable opportunity to climb the international ladder but also marks a significant milestone for netball's growth in the UAE. As an officially sanctioned World Netball event, it reflects the increasing competitiveness of the sport and its expanding reach in the Middle East. The UAE Netball Cup adds a new and exciting fixture to Dubai's growing calendar of international sporting events. Joining Dubai Holding Community Management as Title Sponsor – The Entertainer, Cognita Schools, Rove Hotels, Dubai Duty Free and Mediclinic Middle East have been confirmed as official partners of the inaugural UAE Netball Cup. About UAE Netball Federation: Netball has been played in the UAE for over 40 years, with the sport evolving significantly in recent years. In 2010, Active Netball launched to introduce structured leagues and coaching outside of school environments, helping to develop a strong club system and player pathways. To further progress the sport and broaden opportunities across the community, the UAE Netball Federation was established as the National Governing Body in 2017. Since 2018, it has been a proud member of both Europe Netball and World Netball, earning the UAE the right to compete internationally at U17 and senior levels. Today, the UAE is ranked 23rd in the World Netball Rankings and continues to grow. The Federation is a voluntary organisation working in partnership with Active Netball to promote netball for all ages and abilities, with a mission to expand international exposure for national squads and bring world-class competition to the region. About DHCM: Dubai Holding Community Management (DHCM) is an integrated, customer-centric community management organisation committed to creating the region's most desirable communities. Guided by its three strategic pillars being customer-centric, community-focused, and technology-driven. DHCM delivers vibrant, connected and sustainable living environments in its communities across Dubai. With a strong focus on resident wellbeing, engagement, and service excellence, DHCM supports a wide range of initiatives that foster inclusive, thriving communities. Through innovation, collaboration and a dedication to quality of life, DHCM is shaping the future of community living in Dubai.
