Barbados set to host netball World Cup Qualifier

Approximately ten teams will gather in Barbados from October 19 to 26, for the Americas Netball Regional Qualifier, with spots up for grabs for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

America’s Netball regional qualifier. (Photo Credit: BNA Facebook)

Barbados was not initially named as the host venue, but with St Vincent and the Grenadines now unable to fulfil the role, Barbados Netball Association (BNA) president, Nisha Craigwell told Barbados TODAY they were proud to step in as the new hosts.

“We’re excited to host the Qualifier because it’s always a very good opportunity when you can bring netball at this level to the country, so that persons who are not accustomed to seeing play at this regional level can do so. 

“We are also able to expose our younger players and officials. It’s another level of netball we’re speaking of and I’m extremely happy to have it in Barbados,” Craigwell said.

The Bajan Gems are expected to face stiff competition, with teams potentially coming from as far away as Argentina. 

Craigwell, however, revealed that a pool of selected players were already hard at work.

“Definitely the Bajan Gems have been in training and they continue to work hard towards this goal, but before the World Cup, the team will be attending the CAC Games from July 24 to August 8 in the Dominican Republic,” she disclosed.

Barbadian netballers are set to have access to two ultra modern indoor facilities for the first time in history, when work is completed on the new multipurpose venue at Waterford later this year. This will complement the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, where a new and upgraded floor was recently installed.

“So, our local season is scheduled to commence at the end of April, and we do anticipate that both the gymnasium and the Netball Stadium will be available for use. Failing that, we go back to the community, but we are anxious to get our competition started, so we can get our girls out to play,” Craigwell said. 

While Barbados finished 14th at the last senior netball World Cup in South Africa in 2023, Craigwell said she was optimistic about the team’s chances this time around.

“We have a good mixture of players at trials right now and I’m extremely pleased with what I’ve seen so far. We will always have players transitioning, but it’s always better to have a good program in place so that when they do transition, you know the persons coming up are ready.  

“Because we have such a vibrant development program, I am confident that Barbados will be well represented in October, at the World Cup Qualifier,” Craigwell said.

The president revealed that the national Under-16 team was also in training as they prepare to compete in Trinidad from April 10 -18 at the 22nd Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball tournament.

“Last year we placed second when the Jean Pierre tournament was held in Barbados, and we intend to regain our title in Trinidad this year,” Craigwell said.

kurtishinds@barbadostoday.bb