The INF, in consultation with host country Fiji, considered all the factors that would need to be in place for the international event to take place.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the control of the COVID-19 pandemic and risk to health, closures of borders, quarantine requirements and restrictions on global travel, the decision was made to postpone the event based on its June date.
The announcement comes after the recent decision that the Netball World Youth Cup qualifying events, which were due to take place in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania before October 2020, be cancelled and that INF World Rankings be used to determine the qualifying teams for those regions affected.
Executive General Manager of Performance, Stacey West, recognises that this postponement impacts the current cohort of athletes, coaches and officials.
“We will continue to progress our planning and activity for the 21/U program for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021 as more information emerges,” she said.
World Youth Cup Head Coach Kylee Byrne said the health and wellbeing of the athletes and team remains her number one priority.
“Whilst the rescheduling of the event is a disruption, we look forward to getting out on court when the event is confirmed by the INF in the coming months.”
The INF will work with the netball associations with qualified teams to determine appropriate dates to reschedule, however is hopeful the tournament will be played later in 2021 or early 2022.
