NETBALL

LIVERPOOL TO HOST WORLD NETBALL SERIES 2010 - AND FAST NET RULES APPLY

New Zealand celebrate after beating Jamaica in the World Netball Series final last year

Monday June 7,2010

By Emily Garnham for Express.co.uk

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BRITAIN has once against been named as the host country for this year's World Netball Series - and the rules of Fast Net will apply.

IFNA today announced the World Netball Series 2010 will be held at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

The three-day competition between the world's top six netballing nations will start on Friday November 19.

IFNA president Molly Rhone said: “This event has been fantastic for showcasing the sport of netball and IFNA is looking forward to building on the success of last year’s inaugural event.

"Spectators will once again be given the opportunity to witness this thrilling Fast Net competition between the top six netball teams in the world.”

One change to the schedule will be the absence of Samoa from the line-up, who lost their place in the series to South Africa after slipping in the IFNA world rankings.

The rules of Fast Net, which were first trialled last October at the World Netball Series in Nottingham, had a mixed response from international coaches, prompting England coach Sue Hawkins to call on Australia and New Zealand to embrace the new game.

She said: "I think other teams should start doing what Jamaica, England, Malawi and Samoa are doing and embracing the game and making sure their momentum isn't changing on court.

"We've really embraced Fast Net and our boundaries are opening up all the time."

But despite rumblings of unrest over the new rules - which include six minute quarters and shooting from outside the circle for double points - the event was deemed a success by fans who were gripped by the physicality and rapid pace of play.

Tickets for the event go on sale today with a 10 per cent discount available for early-bird bookings and 15 per cent discount for England Netball members. Visit www.worldnetballseries.com

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