The much-anticipated Netball World Youth Cup 2025 (NWYC2025) Draw took place live on Tuesday evening from the host nation, Gibraltar, marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to the under-21 netball tournament.
The draw, which was live streamed globally on the Netball World Cup’s YouTube channel, confirmed that the hosts Gibraltar will face the defending NWYC Champions New Zealand, as well as Malaysia, Cook Islands and Zambia in their opening matches.
Here are the initial pools for the tournament confirmed by the NWYC2025 Draw, officially setting the stage for an exciting series of matches:
The draw was attended by key local netball figures, sponsors, media representatives, and special guests from His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG), as well as World Netball (WN) President Dame Liz Nicholl DBE.
The initial pools further highlighted the global diversity of the competition, with at least three teams from each of WN’s five regions – Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, and Oceania – represented.
NWYC2025 Technical Delegate, Megan Fey and Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority (GSLA) Executive Lyzanne Olivero oversaw the draw process, which represents a key moment in Gibraltar’s preparations to host the NWYC2025, which will take place from the 19th to the 28th of September 2025.
Matches will be held at two locations, the Europa Point Sports Complex and the Tercentenary Sports Hall, and with the pools now unveiled, anticipation is building for the thrilling matches and memorable moments that will unfold on the Rock next year.
Speaking ahead of the draw in Gibraltar, WN President Dame Liz Nicholl DBE said: “This is another crucial milestone on our journey to World Netball’s pinnacle competition for emerging elite netball players, aged 21 or under – The Netball World Youth Cup 2025.
“The Netball World Youth Cup is often the first time many of our young players get the opportunity to compete against teams from other Regions around the world and experience different styles of play, and I am so excited for the athletes to see today what new match-ups and experiences this event will bring.”
During the draw, CEO of the GSLA, Reagan Lima, said: “It has been a daunting, but exciting journey at the same time.
“From brand launch, to qualifiers, to the trophy handover in Cardiff and now to the all-important draw.
“Each milestone is just as important than the next, and brings us closer to the event proper, which is only ten months away.”
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For more information, visit the event website at nwyc2025.gi.