Tia Marx FISU attaché for the WUNC & Helene Botha with NWU-Pukke University with WUNC Mascot Pukki at the official draw conducted at the High Performance Institute of NWU-Pukke, the facilitating university for the tournament (Photo: Mario van de Wall)
JOHANNESBURG – Host nation South Africa will play Ireland in the opening match of the inaugural World University Netball Championships (WUNC) in Cape Town, in accordance with the draw conducted on Tuesday.
The inaugural WUNC tournament is to be played at the Good Hope Centre from July 2 to July 7. Unfortunately, the global economic crisis has had an impact on the tournament. Initially, 18 countries indicated that they would be sending teams, but because of financial constraints, only seven have confirmed their participation. Those who have dropped out include the two netball powerhouses, Australia and New Zealand.
Because of the reduced numbers, the tournament will be played on a round robin basis, instead of the pool system initially planned. The top four teams will then meet in the semifinals. “Although it is disappointing that we have reduced numbers, it is not the end of the world,” said FISU Netball chair Helene Botha. “It means that the participating teams will have more time on court, with each team playing a minimum of six matches,” she said.
“This is not just good news for the teams taking part, but also for the people of Cape Town, who will have a feast of netball that week.”
The seven teams taking part are South Africa, Great Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, Namibia, Uganda and the United States. Because it is the inaugural Universities tournament, there is no official ranking, but Jamaica, Great Britain and South Africa are expected to be the most competitive teams.
The opening match will be preceded by the final of the University Sport South Africa (USSA) championships, which will be played in the week leading up to the World Championships.
All seven teams will be in action on the opening day. The second match of the day is between Jamaica and Uganda, followed by the United States versus Great Britain. In the final match of the day, Ireland will be in action again, taking on Namibia.
(Source: Natasha Marot, LOC)
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