NORTHERN Ireland Netball’s U21 Head Coach Sachel Grant and captain Orla McGeough have hailed their team’s qualification for the 2025 World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, following a successful tournament in Wales.
The Netball World Youth Cup is the pinnacle of netball competition for emerging players who are under 21 years of age.
World Netball announced in August 2021 that Gibraltar Netball had been awarded the rights to host the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 (NWYC2025).
The tournament will take place in two main competition venues in Gibraltar – the Tercentenary Sports Hall and Europa Sports Park.
Twenty teams will compete in the event, taking place from September 19-28. Five teams pre-qualified and the remaining 15 teams were determined by five Regional Qualifier events.
Each Regional Federation has hosted a NWYC2025 Qualifier event, with the top three from each Region then invited by World Netball to compete at the NWYC2025.
Action from Welsh qualifying tournament
The teams that have qualified for NWYC2025 from each Region are:
Africa: South Africa, Malawi and Zambia
Asia: Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka
Americas: Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago
Europe: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Oceania: Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland emerged from the Cardiff qualifying tournament.
U21 Head Coach Sachel Grant has this to say about Northern Ireland’s achievement: ”The World Youth Cup Qualifiers was an amazing week for Netball NI and the Under 21s in Wales.
“We went into the week fully prepared and knowing that with heart and grit and sticking to our processes and game plans we could achieve success and qualification. However, we knew it was not going to be easy and in every game, we would have to compete and play like a Cup final.
“Seeing the squad unite on and off the court is something that can never be taken away. We were led by captain Orla McGeough who was outstanding on and off the court at bringing and keeping the team together.
“With three wins and two losses, our target was achieved.
“We are so proud of what has been achieved and we do not take for granted the squad players that were unable to attend and pushed this group all the way.
“With World Youth Cup qualification secured for September 2025, we know the journey ahead has just begun.
“Thank you everyone for all your support.”
U21 captain Orla McGeough had this to say on her squad: “We are delighted to have qualified for the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar 2025.
“It was a huge team performance to get over the line in Cardiff and we are really excited to have the opportunity to compete against the best in the world next year!”
More action from Cardiff success (below)
