2007 World Netball Championships

Withdrawal of hosting rights

After seeing off competing bids from Australia and South Africa, Fiji was awarded the hosting rights for the 2007 World Netball Championships in November 2003. The announcement saw Fiji named just the second Pacific nation to host the tournament, after New Zealand hosted the event in 1987 and again in 1999.

16 nations were scheduled to compete over 11 days, from 10 July through 21 July 2007. Despite forecast hosting costs of F$3 million, the International Netball Federation (INFA) noted in a press release that the economic gain is significant, with Jamaica held out as one country whose economy had benefited significantly from a commensurate influx of sports tourists.

In December 2006, following months of tension, Commander Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama staged a military coup to unseat the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

As a direct result of the coup and the political and economic uncertainty it created, on December 8, 2006 the IFNA withdrew Fiji's hosting rights for the 2007 tournament. The withdrawal was expected to have a significant impact in Fiji due to the popularity of netball.

IFNA began an immediate process to identify a new host and, on December 23, 2006, announced that New Zealand, who last hosted the tournament in 1999 in Christchurch, will host the tournament during November 2007. It was undecided if Auckland or Christchurch would hold the tournament, as both cities have suitable facilities. But on 27 January it was decided that Auckland will be the host city for the 2007 World Netball Championships [1].The matches will all be played at The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere from 10–17 November.[2]

Format

The tournament comprises 48 games, held over an 8-day period. Every team is guaranteed to play 6 games, and every team will be awarded a rank from 1 to 16 as a result.

Pool Stage

Points are awarded as follows:
• 2 Points for a Win
• 1 Points for a Draw
• 0 Points for a Loss

In the event of a tie, the result of the game between the tied teams will decide who is ranked higher.
However, should more than two teams be tied, there are three tie-breaker scenarios:
• The team with the superior Goal Average (Goals For/Goals Against) will be ranked highest.
• If the Goal Average is identical, the team with the better Goal Difference will be ranked highest.
• If the Goal Difference is identical, the team with the higher Goals For will be ranked highest.

All times are New Zealand Time (UCT +13 hours)

Pool A

Points Table

Pool B

Points Table

Pool C

Points Table

Pool D

Points Table

Section Games

After the pool stages, the teams are divided into two sections. The top 2 qualifiers from each pool go into Section 1-8, and the bottom two go into Section 9-16.

In the sectional games, no draws are permitted, so Extra Time is played. Extra Time operates as follows:
• Initially, extra time of two, seven minute halves will be played.
• In the event of a tie remaining at the end of extra time, teams change ends without an interval and the game is restarted by the team entitled to the next centre pass.
• Play will then continue until one team has a two-goal advantage.

Section 9-16

Quarter Finals

Semi-Finals

Position Playoffs

Section 1-8

Quarter Finals

Semi-Finals

Position Playoffs

Final Placings

1.  Australia
2.  New Zealand
3.  Jamaica
4.  England
5.  Malawi
6.  South Africa
7.  Cook Islands
8.  Samoa
9.  Fiji
10.  Botswana
11.  Trinidad and Tobago
12.  Wales
13.  Barbados
14.  Scotland
15.  Singapore
16.  Malaysia