Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and Malawi were officially invited by the Commonwealth Games Federation with all six teams accepting the invitation to Birmingham next July.
The host nation England and top five Commonwealth Games Associations on the World Netball world rankings on 28 July 2021 qualified for the event. That date marked the one-year-to-go milestone to the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Games.
Recently appointed Australian Diamonds captain Liz Watson said she looked forward to leading her country.
“The Commonwealth Games is the biggest stage for our sport, and we are excited to represent Australia in Birmingham,” Watson said.
“We have waited four years for the opportunity to win back Commonwealth Games gold and we are incredibly determined to bring it home in 2022.”
Since Australia’s netball involvement in the Commonwealth Games, three gold medals and three silver medals have been brought home.
Birmingham will mark Stacey Marinkovich’s first Commonwealth Games as the Diamonds Head Coach.
“Our preparation is already underway, and we will continue to build our on and off the court connection over the next nine months as we firmly set our sights on the 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Marinkovich said.
“We are currently working through upcoming opportunities for international matches, which will be crucial in the lead up to Birmingham.”
A total of 12 teams will compete in netball at the Games, with the teams ranked 7-12 according to the world rankings on 31st January 2022 to be invited in February 2022.
During the remainder of the qualification period, many Commonwealth countries including Uganda, Africa, and Wales from Europe will be involved in rankings matches that could secure their qualification for the Commonwealth Games.
Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM said it was exciting to see team qualifications beginning to take shape.
“The history of netball at the Games and the performances of the Diamonds show that close, thrilling and sometimes heart-breaking results eventuate, and we know our team is keen to head to England’s home court to reverse the result from the Gold Coast Games, which was a superb win for Team England,” Thomas said.
World Netball President Liz Nicholl CBE commented on the elite netball talent confirmed to take the Birmingham 2022 netball stage.
“World Netball will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation on the announcement of the remaining six teams,” Nicholl said.
“I look forward to seeing all 12 teams compete on this world stage in Birmingham next year and watching the athletes embrace this opportunity to compete at this important multi-sport event.”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place from 28 July to 8 August.
