LONDON, England – The latest update to the World Netball (WN) World Rankings, finalized for 2024, has introduced a whirlwind of changes, including 30 positional shifts and the entry of four new teams into the rankings.
With events up to November 26 contributing to this reshuffle, New Zealand and Jamaica emerged as the biggest winners, leapfrogging England to claim higher spots in the global standings.
In a stunning turn of events, New Zealand has surged back into second place, overtaking England, thanks to their triumphant performance in the Constellation Cup against long-standing rivals Australia.
Despite Australia’s iron grip on the top spot, their rating dropped by five points to 204, narrowing the gap between first and second from 20 to just 12. This shift injects fresh energy into the rivalry between the world’s premier netball teams as New Zealand closes in.
Jamaica dethrones England for third place
Jamaica’s meteoric rise to third place in the rankings comes on the heels of their emphatic victory over England in the Horizon Series. The Sunshine Girls delivered a spellbinding performance, solidifying their position as one of the sport’s elite teams.
For England, the drop to fourth is a stark reminder of the competition’s intensity. Their rating fell by just one point, but it was enough to see them slip two places in a highly competitive table.
This year’s update also celebrates the debut of four new nations in the WN World Rankings. The Asia Netball Championships and Battle of the Saints provided the platform for India, British Virgin Islands, Chinese Taipei, and the Maldives to achieve the minimum eight matches required for a ranking.
- India debuted at an impressive 41st.
- British Virgin Islands entered the table at 45th.
- Chinese Taipei and Maldives shared the 50th position, showcasing their potential on the global stage.
St. Maarten made waves by climbing to 30th after an undefeated run in the Battle of the Saints, exemplifying their growing strength in international netball.
Shifting tides in Asia and Africa
The Asia Netball Championships saw significant movement among regional teams:
- Sri Lanka and Singapore moved up one spot each to 22nd and 23rd.
- The Philippines and Hong Kong climbed two places each, now standing at 35th and 37th, respectively.
- Malaysia made the biggest leap in the region, ascending three spots to 28th.
- Meanwhile, Brunei dropped four places, settling at 46th.
In Africa, the SPAR Challenge Series and Celtic Cup provided key opportunities for teams to showcase their mettle. South Africa maintained fifth place, bolstered by a two-point rating increase after sweeping Malawi in the SPAR Challenge Series. Malawi held firm at seventh.
The Celtic Cup brought mixed results for the United Kingdom’s representatives, with Northern Ireland dropping one place to 12th after their performances against Scotland, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
Global growth: Rankings expand to 52 teams
This year concludes with 52 teams in the WN World Rankings, eight more than last year’s total of 44. This remarkable growth highlights the increasing reach and appeal of netball worldwide, a sentiment echoed by World Netball President Liz Nicholl.
“This year’s rankings reflect the incredible progress of teams from across the globe,” Nicholl said. “It’s exciting to see new nations emerging and established teams pushing the boundaries of excellence.”
With the Africa Netball Cup results slated for inclusion in the new year, the stage is set for further reshuffling in 2025. As the sport continues to evolve, the competition for top spots in the rankings promises to be fiercer than ever.
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