Commonwealth Games: Rise of Jamaica, England’s way forward and towards the 2023 FIFA World Cup | News about netball

England will now head to the Netball World Cup in South Africa next July

After an exciting Commonwealth Games netball tournament, we take a look at what’s next for the top netball nations with the World Netball Championship taking place in South Africa in less than a year. again.

The fact that a World Cup takes place right after the Commonwealth Games has always been a fascinating feature of netball’s calendar.

Next year’s contest starts on July 28th and while 11 months might seem like a long time in terms of hours of personal training, when you look closer, there’s probably only room for two or a push. three, series of tests.

In Birmingham, the four top-ranked nations – Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and Jamaica – competed for medals and they are expected to do so again in South Africa, but the question is where will the positions be. decrease in what way?

Is it Jamaica time now? Will Britain hurt their Commonwealth and free it? Can Australia avenge their World Cup final loss from four years ago or will Dame Noeline Taurua help New Zealand to consecutive world championships?

Commonwealth Games certainly gave us a lot to think about when answering some of those questions, and let’s start by focusing on Sunshine Girls.

For years, Jamaica has been a country seen as a ‘real threat’, but that hasn’t always been able to tie full competitions and leagues together.

In Birmingham, they offered their own dynamic and passionate brand of netball but they did it masterfully over the course of 10 days.

Sunshine Girls made new netball history at the Commonwealth Games

The Sunshine Girls have loved every minute of being enjoyed to their hearts by the British crowd and were significantly boosted by Rob Wright’s knowledge and presence alongside head coach Connie Francis.

Wright, who is unpaid, put pen to paper with the Sunshine Girls in January as their technical defensive coach and in Birmingham his influence is clear.

The great Jamaican defenders – Shamera Sterling, Latanya Wilson, Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Jodi-Ann Ward – are some of the least penalized defenders in the league. That wasn’t always the case, and it allowed them to keep a lot of the revenue balls.

Shamera Sterling and Jamaica’s defenders are incredible under the extra guidance of Rob Wright

Through the court, Jamaica played patiently, Jhaniele Fowler worked superbly in the box and Shanice Beckford’s strike ensured she could not be forgotten.

In the gold medal match, the minutes after the first half cost them but the entire Sunshine Girls tournament showed what they could do and what they did with limited resources.

Post-Olympic reports highlighted that Wright was a ‘volunteer’ and had quit his job to go to Birmingham. Additionally, the team arrived without a video analyst, an S&C coach, and only one massage therapist for their entire team.

If Jamaica were given the opportunity with additional structural and financial support, just think how good they could be? And, support has begun to come with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal back home.

The Sunshine Girls made history in Birmingham by defeating the Diamonds for the first time at the Commonwealth Games and reaching the final for the first time, but with the right build and support, they can do more in South Africa.

The Diamonds remained calm in the final and avenged their billiards defeat at the hands of Jamaica

So what about Australian Diamonds and their path forward? Well, their story has changed dramatically from their final match to their semi-final victory over England, hasn’t it?

The Diamonds came under pressure to beat England and then put on a solid Finals performance, as Stacey Marinkovich made early staff changes and her players were handed over to her. .

The depth of the Australian netball means that their talent carousel will continue to work in the lead up to the World Netball Championships.

In South Africa next July, they will play with the same level of emotion they brought to the knockouts at Birmingham as they have one more point to deal with.

New Zealand’s win over Liverpool at the 2019 Netball World Cup doesn’t sit well with them and one side scorned is the dangerous Diamond side, ask England about it.

Jess Thirlby and England’s Rose of Life There’s a bit to think about after finishing fourth at the Commonwealth Games at home and the overall weight of that consideration will depend on players’ decisions about their futures.

Eboni Usoro-Brown and Stacey Francis-Bayman have announced their retirement from elite level netball, meaning England’s defense will need to be bolstered once again.

Layla Guscoth will be the guide for those entering the competition and the talent someone like Funmi Fadoju has is undeniable, but how quickly can she make it to the international stage?

In terms of respect, this is another ball game facing the likes of Gretel Bueta and Grace Nweke in the face of challenges she has previously faced at club level. That’s not to say Fadoju can’t do it, but rushing her and switching wrong is something Thirlby will want to avoid at all costs.

Jade Clarke looks as sharp as ever, but will she make it through South Africa? What about Geva Mentor as well? The decisions of both players will affect England’s plans and path forward.

Eleanor Cardwell had a special tournament for England

After England finished in 4th place, emotions are running high and perhaps not enough to talk about the form they have shown. The stoic all-court defence delivered the ball in rotation and that was transformed by quick and clinical execution in attack.

Of course, there was discussion about relying too much on Nat Metcalf when attacking the flanks. And yes, in the coming months and Tests, someone else has to raise their hand to provide a second pick for the expert there.

Like Australia, England will come to the Netball World Cup with their emotional and motivational element, hurt by the fact that home competitions end without a gold medal.

A bronze medal has been secured at Liverpool but under a different head coach, so with this mode the emotions from Birmingham will be fresher.

New Zealand will now aim to defend their netball World Cup title in South Africa

New Zealand’s A seven-goal win over England in the bronze medal match provided them with something to work with over the next 12 months, as they work to defend their world title in South Africa.

They arrived in Birmingham slightly off balance, without former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who fell short of their steady fitness standards, new mum Jane Watson and Karin Burger due to a broken foot.

An Ekenasio that meets Taurua’s fitness standards is world class, Watson sits in that bracket too and the job Burger does, especially when she’s on the defensive, is relentless.

In short, New Zealand has to come in more and have a domestic netball structure, meaning Taurua will be heavily involved throughout the season. They also have a series of three Tests with Jamaica on their calendar, which could prove to be an inspiring move.

Sunshine Girls and New Zealand will be competing for the Taini Jamison Trophy in September and it’s an additional tournament for the Constellation Cup against Australia.

Tough matches, returning players, great competition for starters and Taurua’s dominant brain mean New Zealand arrives in South Africa in perfect form to defend the world title. their.

Currently, each team will take some time to process the results of the 10 days of competition at NEC Arena and return to normal after such an exhausting schedule.

England will be back at home together in October for a series of three Challenges against Uganda and with the stands packed in Birmingham, you’d expect tickets to be snapped up in a flash as Roses look ahead, learning. Ask from Commonwealth Games and focus on the 2023 Netball World Cup.