THE Tanzania Netball Association (CHANETA) has welcomed plans by World Netball to stage the Netball World Cup every two years instead of the current four-year cycle, describing the move as a positive step that will sustain the sport's long-term growth.

CHANETA chairperson Devotha Marwa, speaking in a monitored interview, said the new approach by the international governing body would enhance competition and provide more opportunities for athletes and teams to stay active and improve.

Recently, World Netball Chief Executive Officer Fiona Harold told the BBC that the decision to switch to a biennial format is partly driven by uncertainty surrounding the future of the Commonwealth Games.

“We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post-2026,” Harold said.
 “These decisions allow us to control our destiny, and it’s positive news for everyone. As the international federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term.”

According to World Netball, all future World Cups will be held in November to ensure consistency and minimize disruption to domestic leagues. Additionally, the federation announced plans to launch a new biennial international competition starting in November 2028, to be held in non-World Cup years.

Marwa described the new calendar as a game-changer for global netball and a welcome development, particularly for nations with limited regional tournaments like Tanzania.

“This increased frequency of competition is a welcome development, especially considering the scarcity of regional tournaments in netball,” she said.
 “We have received the news positively. It will encourage us to stay focused on rebuilding the Taifa Queens. It’s an opportunity and can only strengthen our resolve to grow the sport.”

However, she acknowledged that the new format would require CHANETA to improve financial planning to ensure the national team qualifies for future tournaments.

Although Tanzania has never qualified for the Netball World Cup, Marwa expressed optimism, noting that the increased competition could provide the necessary platform to elevate the national team to new heights.

The move to restructure the netball calendar comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the Commonwealth Games. Australia, initially selected to host the 2026 edition in Victoria, withdrew in July 2023 due to budget constraints. The government of Alberta, Canada, also pulled out of its bid for the 2030 Games, citing rising costs.

Glasgow has since agreed to host a scaled-down version of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, featuring 10 sports across four venues.

Meanwhile, the next Netball World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia in 2027.