December 15, 2023 – World Netball (WN) has just released its latest World Rankings update, reflecting the outcomes of a bustling international netball season. The update includes results from 84 matches played across five regions from September 30 to December 10, bringing the total number of matches since March 1, 2023, to an impressive 202.
Australia continues to dominate the top spot, following their triumph at the Netball World Cup 2023. They are closely followed by perennial powerhouses New Zealand, England, and Jamaica, who retain their respective second, third, and fourth positions, showcasing the stability at the elite level of the sport.
A significant shift in the rankings is seen with Fiji usurping Samoa for the 16th position. This change is attributed to the Fiji Pearls’ remarkable performance at the Pacific Games in December, where they finished as runners-up. Despite their loss to the 8th ranked Tonga in the final, Fiji’s flawless record in the pool stage and semi-finals was a testament to their growing prowess in the sport.
Further down the rankings, Grenada and Namibia made notable strides. Their recent successes at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) International Series and Africa Netball Cup, respectively, propelled both teams up two spots, with Grenada now at 19th and Namibia at 20th.
Singapore also improved their standing, moving up to 25th following their victory at the Nations Cup in October. On the other hand, Papua New Guinea’s commendable performances at the Nations Cup and Pacific Games saw them climbing two places to 34th, underlining their competitive spirit.
The rankings also welcomed new entrants, with Canada, Eswatini, and Dominica joining at 36th, 37th, and 40th positions, respectively. This expansion, fueled by these teams reaching the minimum eight-game threshold, brings the total number of WN World Ranked teams to 44.
Additionally, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, and Solomon Islands played their first ranking matches since becoming Full Members of WN. They join the list of 12 unranked teams poised to enter the WN World Rankings upon completing the required number of games.
The year in international netball concludes with the eagerly anticipated series between the Northern Ireland Warriors and the Republic of Ireland Emeralds on December 16 and 17, capping off a remarkable year for the sport.
Fans and followers can view the updated WN World Rankings and delve deeper into the shifts and successes of the season on the World Netball website.
