SANZEA will bring together four of the sport’s leading national teams to play in a new international netball competition on a regular basis.

The importance of regular international fixtures outside of Netball World Cups and Commonwealth Games years is recognised by the participating countries, which are united in their goal of developing a high profile and regular international competition, they have claimed.

Australia and New Zealand, ranked one and two in the world respectively, will stage the inaugural event late next year.

The competition will then move to England and South Africa, ranked third and fifth in the world respectively, who will host in early 2017.

A review will be undertaken after the initial two years, which could lead to further opportunities for the competition to grow, including the addition of other netball nations.

The most likely inclusion would be fourth-ranked Jamaica, who have historically suffered funding difficulties.

The International Netball Federation has indicated support for the new partnership with the competition format for the inaugural event, including dates and venues, to be released in the new year.

England Netball chief executive Joanna Adams is excited about the potential of the competition ahead of the 2019 Netball World Cup, which is scheduled to take place at Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool.

"This partnership represents a wonderful opportunity for international netball to take its place on the global sporting stage," she said.

"It is a tremendous step towards building the depth of the game internationally and to showcase netball at the highest level on a regular basis.

"With increasing participation levels, record attendances and growing media coverage, this is a fabulous chance to capitalise on the growing popularity of the sport, both at home and abroad.

"As hosts of the next World Cup in 2019, netball fans in England can look forward to seeing the stars of the international game on our shores throughout the next four years.

"We can all be excited about the positive impact this new partnership will bring."

The four competing countries last contested a non-World Cup or Commonwealth Games event in 2012, while Australia, who play an annual series against New Zealand, are scheduled to tour England in January.

"The profile of netball both in Australia and internationally has never been stronger, and Netball Australia is confident the SANZEA partnership is another major step towards enhancing our position as the world's leading female sport heading towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast," Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer told the Brisbane Times. 


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