NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD: 20 NOVEMBER 2009
With preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games now at an advanced stage, India has unveiled the country’s first netball stadium, which is nearing completion in Delhi. The 4,494 seater stadium, constructed by Australian company Peddle Thorp, is a glass and concrete construction and has been designed sustainably, to conserve energy and reduce the building’s impact on the environment.
Botswana’s government has reinforced its commitment to netball and the game’s development at the opening of the country’s tenth Parliament, which took place this week. Netball will continue to form a vital part of annual district sports festivals, which take place across the country, as the government aims to extend participation from the existing 66 teams currently taking part with additional funding. New stadia are to be build in Francistown and Lobatse, while the national stadium in Gaborone, which has been recently refurbished, will reopen in 2010.
Meanwhile, the country’s Motor Centre League quarter finals were held this week, with reigning champions BDF Cats qualifying for the competition’s semi final, where they will face Notwane. The second semi final will feature TASC and USB Crystals. The final of the competition will be held on 28 November, with the winning team scooping a top prize of P10,000 ($1,500 US).
Netball Australia has this week announced a packed international schedule for the reigning world champions ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The Diamonds will play three tests against England in February, as well as two against Scotland as well as playing home and away tests against New Zealand and hosting Jamaica in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games in October.
Fiji’s ten-week long NewWorld Suva Netball Association Business House tournament ends this week at the National Netball Centre with Fiji Sports Council playing Colonial in the final. 32 teams from businesses across Fiji have taken part in the competition, which aims to increase participation and access to netball among women of all ages.
Former champions Academy went top of the table in England’s Premier 1, after defeating reigning champions TeamBath 64—45. Leeds Carnegie continued their unbeaten run at the top of Premier 2, stopping Leyton’s unbeaten run with a 51-34 win.
Finally, Netball New South Wales took guests on a trip back in time this week at their annual state dinner. Arrivals at the Anne Clark Centre travelled through a netball museum filled with young netballers dressed in uniforms from the past, as well as images and momentoes from the association’s long history, including trophies from the association’s “Golden Boot” competition, held in the 1970s and 80s.