Teams from around the world are set to compete in the Netball Nations Cup 2013
From Dec 1 to 7, Singapore will host a truly global Netball Nations Cup 2013. To be staged at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall once again, teams from Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Ireland, Sri Lanka and debutants Uganda and the United States of America (USA) will contest the six-day competition and battle it out to become Nations Cup 2013 Champions.
European greenhorns & experienced Oceania islanders
Representing Oceania, Pacific islanders Papua New Guinea will come into the competition as the highest ranked team at 17th in the world, so expectations will be high. They last played in the 2011 edition, when they finished sixth. They took the trophy in 2008 and were runners-up to Singapore in the inaugural event back in 2006.
The Republic of Ireland made their debut just last year, and will be looking to improve, having finished last.
Asian, African & American Advance
The well-known Asian rivalry will come from Sri Lanka this year, as they make their fifth appearance in the competition and are ranked just two places behind Singapore at 23rd. They finished fourth in four previous outings and will be eager to improve as well, as they prepare for the Asian Championships in 2014.
The African nation of Uganda, currently unranked due to their lack of international exposure, will come into the competition as an unknown entity but will be expected to be strong and eager to win, like previous visitors from the continent, Namibia and Tanzania.
The USA is currently 19th, just behind Papua New Guinea. Tough matches with strong support from US expatriates are to be expected.
Home Advantage
Host Singapore is aiming to be back among the top finishers this year after finishing 5th in 2012. They finished 2nd to world number seven Fiji in 2011 and reclaimed the Asian Championship in Sri Lanka in 2012. They still hold the position of the highest ranking team in Asia (21).
The national squad is busy training hard under the guidance of new National Coach and Technical Director for Netball Singapore, Ruth Aitken.
Says Aitken, “It is an exciting time to step into the role of National Coach with the 8th Nations Cup fast approaching and the Asian Championships just over a year away.”
“The level of competition that will be in display in Singapore in December is set to be fantastic and we will face a tough tournament against a variety of playing styles and some rapidly improving countries,” she says.
The national team is ranked 21st in the world following their success at the 2012 Asian Championships, where they were crowned champions for the second time in their history. Singapore is also set to host the Asian Netball Championships 2014.
Visit www.netball.org.sg for fixtures and tickets.
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