IFNA Announces Officials for The Co-operative World Netball Series

IFNA has announced the officials for the inaugural Co-operative World Netball Series 2009.

The World Netball Series will see the top six nations play by a brand new set of rules, allowing spectators to experience some of the world’s greatest netball played under one roof. Each match promises to be fast and ferocious, raising the profile of the sport.

England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Malawi and Samoa will compete in the three-day event, which will take place at the Manchester M.E.N Arena between 9th and 11th October.
 
The new format of the game, FAST NET, will prove interesting for those officiating and IFNA has selected the best officials in the world for this first FAST NET international tournament.

Umpires:

Anne Abraitis
Judith Groves
Dalton Hinds
Sharon Kelly
Annie Kloppers
Mandy Nottingham
Joel Young Strong

Technical Delegate:

Cheryl Danson

Umpires Appointment Panel:

Bill Alexander
Dawn Jones
Sheelagh Redpath


The Co-operative World Netball Series is an IFNA event supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Manchester City Council, England Netball and UK Sport.


Ticket Information:

Friday 9th October - Adult £15/ Adult day ticket £24. Concession £5/ Concession day ticket £8. Family £35/ Family day ticket £56.
Saturday 10th October - Adult £15/ Adult day ticket £24. Concession £5/ Concession day ticket £8. Family £35/ Family day ticket £56.
Sunday 11th October -  Adult £20. Concession £7.50. Family £47.50.
Concession - Under 16’s, OAP & Registered disabled
Family - 2 adults & 2 children
Group Discount - Buy 10 get 11th free

For World Netball Series tickets please visit www.worldnetballseries.com

-Ends-
For further information please contact Hannah Bryce
The Whole Caboodle
e: Hannah@thewholecaboodle.com   
t: 01423 523000


Notes to editors

The Co-operative

The Co-operative is proud sponsor of the Netball Superleague and actively encourages the development of the sport in communities throughout the UK.

As part of their ongoing commitment to netball, The Co-operative also champions the bid for netball to be included in the Olympic Games. Over half-a-million people have already backed the Olympic bid, alongside high-profile personalities such as Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Cherie Blair, Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis, Bryan Robson, Mark Ramprakash, and rugby league stars Jon Wilkin and Robbie Paul.

To find out more about the Olympic campaign – and to register your support – visit www.netballolympicbid.com.


The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA)

IFNA is the sole, recognised, international governing body for the sport of netball. Netball is a recognised Olympic Sport and IFNA is therefore affiliated to the General Association of International Sports Federations, the International World Games Association and the Association of Recognised Sports Federations.

Currently, over 60 National Netball Associations are affiliated to IFNA, grouped into 5 Regions - Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe and Oceania - each with a respective Regional Federation.

IFNA also runs the World Netball Championships and the World Youth Netball Championships. .
 
The Secretariat of IFNA is based in Manchester and has a small staff of three. It is one of the few International Federations still operating from within the UK.


Manchester City Council, Major Sports Events

Manchester is proud to have been voted the world's leading Sport City in 2008, recognition for the city's commitment to delivering a comprehensive sporting programme that connects major events to community sport, elite performance, facility development, volunteering, training and education. The World Netball Series is one of a number of major events being hosted in Manchester in 2009 that, whilst supporting the objectives of our key national and regional partners, will continue to provide the city and its residents with opportunities to achieve their full potential through sport.

England Netball

England Netball is the National Governing Body responsible for the organisation and promotion of Netball in England. It is a company limited by guarantee and comprises of approximately 3,000 Clubs and some 68,000 affiliated members. The Association is governed by a voluntary Board of 11 people including the Chief Executive Officer, seven of who are elected by the Membership and three appointed for their specialised expertise. The Chief Executive reports to the Board and is responsible, with the professional staff, for the implementation of policy and the management of the Association.  The game is largely driven by the efforts of many volunteers operating at a national, regional, county and community level.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
Matching skills provision to employer needs
Creating the conditions for economic growth
Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life
 
As part of its work to support these objectives, the NWDA works with partners to secure world-class events, which are distinctive and capable of attracting large numbers of visitors from outside the region and  which significantly enhance the profile of the region. www.nwda.co.uk

UK Sport

The World Netball Series has been part funded by UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Events Programme, which aims to secure events of strategic importance that deliver a range of lasting benefits. These include economic, social and cultural benefits as well as improving sporting performance by home athletes, encouraging participation and leaving a legacy of facilities and development initiatives. Over 120 sporting events have been staged in the UK through the programme since 1997. More at www.uksport.gov.uk