OCEANIA NETBALL

Oceania Nations Shine at Netball World Youth Cup 2025

The Netball World Youth Cup 2025 has concluded with outstanding performances from Oceania nations, reinforcing the  region’s growing strength on the global stage.

Following regional qualification pathways, 20 teams from around the world competed at the tournament, with all five Oceania nations finishing inside the top 13 — a significant achievement and a moment of pride for the region.

Final Placings – Oceania Nations

  • New Zealand – �� 2nd

  • Cook Islands – 8th

  • Samoa – 9th

  • Fiji – 11th

  • Tonga – 13th

New Zealand – Silver on the World Stage

New Zealand delivered a composed and highly competitive campaign, finishing second overall after a strong run through pool play and the finals series. The team demonstrated depth, tactical maturity, and resilience in key matches, consistently performing under pressure against the world’s leading youth netball nations. Their silver-medal finish reflects the strength of New Zealand’s performance pathway and player development systems.

Cook Islands – Top Eight Finish Signals Growth

The Cook Islands produced an impressive tournament, finishing 8th and securing a place in the top half of the competition. Their campaign included disciplined defensive performances and confident attacking passages, particularly in tightly contested classification matches. This result highlights the Cook Islands’ continued growth and competitiveness at international youth level.

Samoa – Grit and Physical Presence

Samoa finished 9th, showcasing trademark physicality, flair, and determination throughout the tournament. The team rose to the challenge in key crossover and placement matches, pushing higher-ranked opponents and demonstrating strong improvement as the tournament progressed. Their performance reflects the increasing depth and confidence within Samoa’s youth development.

Fiji – Building Momentum on the Global Stage

Finishing 11th, Fiji showed moments of excellent connection and pace, particularly in matches where their attacking speed and defensive pressure were on full display. Competing against the world’s best provided invaluable experience for this young squad, with a number of these players continuing to shine being selected in the national squad.

Tonga – Courage, Commitment, and Experience Gained

Tonga’s 13th-place finish capped a tournament defined by courage and commitment. The team embraced the opportunity to compete on the world stage, gaining crucial international exposure and experience through every match. Their performances laid a strong foundation for future youth campaigns and long-term athlete development.

A Strong Statement for Oceania Netball

With five nations finishing inside the top 13 in the world, Oceania has firmly reinforced its position as a competitive and emerging force in global youth netball. These results reflect the impact of regional qualification pathways, collaboration, and investment in player and coach development across the Pacific.

The performances at the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 provide a strong platform for the next cycle of international competition and highlight the exciting future of netball within Oceania.

Ngā mihi to all athletes, coaches, officials, and support staff who represented their nations with pride on the world stage.