The Fiji Pearls have made a notable advancement in the World Netball (WN) world rankings, moving from 15th place to 14th place. This transition is based on their accumulated total of 2,448 points and a rating of 79 points, reflecting matches played up to November 26 of this year.
In the Pacific region, Tonga continues to lead as the highest-ranked team at 7th place, while Samoa follows closely at 17th. Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands are ranked 29th and 33rd, respectively.
The release of the latest WN world rankings showcased a total of 30 positional changes, marking the final update for 2024. A significant highlight was New Zealand reclaiming the second spot after winning the Constellation Cup against Australia. Although Australia remains at the top, their rating has decreased, narrowing the gap to New Zealand. Additionally, Jamaica has made a leap into 3rd place, taking advantage of their recent victory over England, who have dropped to 4th.
Several tournaments contributed to these updates, including the Asia Netball Championships and the Celtic Cup. Notably, India, the British Virgin Islands, Chinese Taipei, and the Maldives have all entered the rankings for the first time, reflecting the inclusive growth of the sport. St Maarten’s impressive performance in the Battle of the Saints has also propelled them to 30th place.
With the current rankings now comprising 52 teams—up from 44 last year—there’s an optimistic outlook for netball’s growth and diversification across the globe. This increase not only signifies the sport’s expanding popularity but also its potential to foster new talent from various backgrounds.
In summary, Fiji’s rise to 14th in the world rankings signals progress for the nation, while the overall developments in the rankings reflect growing competition and enthusiasm for netball internationally. The story of netball continues to be one of hope and advancement for teams and players alike.
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