NETBALL Tasmania is hoping that the state can use Wales and Scotland’s decision to use it as a pre-World Cup training base as a stepping stone for Test matches being played in Tasmania in the near future.
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Wales, which is eighth in the International Netball Federation’s rankings, and Scotland, which is 12th, will call the state home from July 26 to August 4, before the 16-team World Cup begins in Sydney on August 7.
The two countries will play a series of practice matches during that time against Netball Australia’s Centre of Excellence and the Tassie Spirit.
These matches to be played at the Silverdome in Launceston, the Derwent Entertainment Centre and the Aurora Sports Stadium in Hobart.
Wales will play the Centre of Excellence in Launceston, with the exact date yet to be confirmed, and there are chances other matches could also take place at the Silverdome.
The two countries will play each other at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on August 1, while the Centre of Excellence and the Spirit will also clash.
‘‘Our goal from 2016 onwards is to have Test matches played in Tasmania and we know Netball Australia is strongly in support of bringing the Diamonds to Tasmania,’’ Netball Tasmania chief executive Julia Phillips said yesterday.
’‘‘What we’re working on is making sure we have the infrastructure in place, and the volunteers in place, and this [visit from Wales and Scotland] will display that.
‘‘It is allowing us to bring international netball to Tasmania, so people can see it in their own backyard.
‘‘It is great opportunity for our local talent, as it will be really special for them to be able to play against teams that are competing in the World Cup.’’
Phillips also believed it will be the start of a fruitful netball relationship between the Tasmania and the two nations.
There will be community and public events held around the teams’ visit.
It will continue Scotland’s sporting relationship with Tasmania, after its cricketers played matches against the Tigers last year ahead of their two World Cup matches in Hobart next month.
The Netball World Cup will be held from August 7-16, the third time Australia has hosted the tournament.
It will be favourites to win its 11th world crown, with the Diamonds currently on a 19 game winning streak, which included Commonwealth gold.