The Fiji Pearls have made a notable advancement in the World Netball (WN) rankings, now positioned at 14th place with a total of 2,448 points and a rating of 79. This improvement comes as Fiji climbs one spot from their previous 15th ranking in March, showcasing the nation’s growth in the sport based on match performances up to November 26, 2023.

In the Pacific region, Tonga retains its status as the top-ranked country at 7th, followed by Samoa at 17th. Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands are ranked at 29th and 33rd respectively.

The latest WN rankings saw a total of 30 positional changes, with New Zealand successfully reclaiming the 2nd spot after their victory in the Constellation Cup against Australia. Australia continues to hold the top rank despite a slight decrease in their rating. Jamaica has climbed to 3rd place following their recent win over England, which has now dropped to 4th.

The updates reflect the results from various competitions, including the Asia Netball Championships and the Battle of the Saints. These events allowed four new teams to join the WN World Rankings, bringing the total number of ranked teams to 52—an increase from 44 teams this time last year. India, the British Virgin Islands, Chinese Taipei, and the Maldives made their debuts in the rankings, showcasing the expansion of netball globally.

The updated rankings also reveal various movements within African nations, with South Africa maintaining 5th place after a successful series against Malawi, while Malawi stays in 7th.

Overall, the rankings reflect a dynamic and competitive spirit in women’s netball, particularly in Polynesia and beyond, as teams continue to improve and gain international recognition.

This progress for Fiji and the expanding representation in netball around the world is undeniably positive, paving the way for more competitive opportunities and the promotion of women’s sports on a global scale. Such advancements promote unity, health, and success within communities, igniting hope for the future in athletics.