Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING a determined run at the Celtic Cup in Scotland, the Gems have climbed to 12th place on the World Netball Rankings.
The update covers all international games played from March 1 to December 1 and confirms a steady rise for the Gems after months of rebuilding work.
Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, England, South Africa, Uganda, Wales, Malawi, Tonga, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe make up the top dozen.
Inside that group, Wales dropped to seventh and Uganda moved to sixth after beating the Welsh Feathers 70 to 48 on the last day of the Celtic Cup to secure gold.
The Gems forced Northern Ireland to drop down to 14 after overtaking them.
Samoa sit 13th. Namibia also struggled at the tournament and slipped from 15 to 16 where they now sit on 77 points tied with Zambia who edge them on goal difference.
Zimbabwe went into the event searching for an improved global placing and the team delivered.
“We are thrilled and excited that we managed to improve our rankings. We had set ourselves a target because this is what we have been praying for in a very long time and I am happy that we delivered,” said coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki.“It shows that we are not bad as a netball playing nation and it also speaks volumes about our rebuilding efforts.”
The invitational event counted as ranking matches. The Gems now have 89 points from 45 games although only 32 carried weight under the ranking formula.
Points are shaped by results and by the strength of the opponent.
A win over a higher rated team earns more.
Zimbabwe gained important ground by beating Northern Ireland 54 to 46 which pushed them up the ladder.
“Now that we have improved our position, we need to avoid dropping points by averting defeat by lower ranked nations because that can see us slip down the ladder,” said Mutsauki.
“This means that we have to work hard and be able to continue challenging the higher ranked nations.“In the past, we have not been getting invitations to most ranking games but I believe that the more we rise, the more we get recognised for such tournaments.
“The good thing is that we now have some financial backing and have the freedom to participate more frequently in such games, further we are now able to hold periodic camps and continue to perfect our team.”
Canada recorded the biggest jump on the table after climbing 17 places to 30 following a strong run at the Battle of the Isles. Guadeloupe joined the rankings for the first time on joint 50th.
The top six teams will qualify automatically for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Australia are through as hosts and join New Zealand, Jamaica, England, South Africa and Uganda.
The remaining 10 places will be decided at five regional qualifiers in 2026 where the top two from each event will book their tickets.
The tournament runs from August 25 to September 5, 2027.
“Our aim is to continue pushing hard so that someday we sit at a position that earns us automatic qualification to the World Cup with hard work, I am sure we can achieve it,” said Mutsauki.
