Tonga Netball has qualified for the 2021 Netball World Youth Cup for the first time confirmed Tonga Netball Association CEO, Salote Sisifa today.

"This is the first time Tonga has made any World Cup event for netball."

Selection was made according to worldwide ranking as the regional qualifiers world-wide meant to be held this year were cancelled due to CoViD-19.

Tonga is placed 19^th in the World Rankings out of 43 teams.

Salote explained Tonga did well at the Pacific Games last year where they won Silver after losing in the finals to the Cook Islands by one point, 44-43.

“This has done Tonga well in terms of ranking, hence booking Tonga a confirmed seat for Youth World Cup Next year,” said Salote.

“Before this announcement came Tonga Netball had started working towards qualifiers. We’ve held trials in Tonga, NZ and Australia.”

A squad has been selected from all three countries and a camp was planned to be held in Australia in April where the final 12 players for the team would be named.

“Because of CoViD all these players remain a squad and the management and coach continue to follow them up and their progress, fitness with programs from their respective countries,” said Salote.

Jaqua Simpson, who is head coach for Tonga’s National Netball Team, will be head coach for Tonga’s National Under 21 team.

The Netball World Youth Cup is the top of netball competition for emerging players who are under 21 years of age.

The 2021 Netball World Youth Cup will be held Fiji.