The Netball World Youth Cup 2025 (NWYC2025) Semi-Finals take place today in Gibraltar, with the netball family able to tune in live and on demand exclusively on NetballPass to follow the action.
The first Semi-Final will see the defending Champions New Zealand take on England at 5pm GMT+2, whilst the second will consist of Australia and South Africa at 7pm GMT+2.
Having beaten Malawi 67-34 in their Quarter-Final, New Zealand have kept their hopes alive of becoming the first team to ever win the NWYC three times in a row.
Speaking ahead of their all-important Semi-Final, captain Amelia Walmsley said: “I have so much faith and belief in this team, and so I think being able to have an opportunity to showcase what we have, and the style of New Zealand netball is awesome.
“To be able to have another opportunity tomorrow to hopefully take a step closer to completing our ultimate goal of winning that Netball World Youth Cup, that is awesome.”
All four Semi-Finalists have impressed fans in the venues and those tuning in internationally, both on NetballPass and YouTube, with their versatility and squad depth throughout the group stages and Quarter-Finals of the NWYC2025.
England showed their ability to adapt and the strength of their squad once again in their Quarter-Final, when they put out a full team performance to beat Scotland 64-33.
Speaking after this win on the importance of utilising all players in an international tournament, England Vice-Captain, Izzi Phillips said: “It has been so important, again today putting out performances that have allowed us to still try lots of different combinations.
“It is tournament netball, so you can’t just play the same seven for every single game, it is so key to use everyone and really solidify those partnerships, so it was great.”
This will be the sixth time that England have met New Zealand at the NWYC, with the stats heavily favouring the defending champions who have won five of their last six meetings in the event.
England’s last NWYC victory over New Zealand came in 1988 – a stat that the young Roses will no doubt be looking to change.
England aren’t the only side that will be looking re-write history though, with South Africa already well on there way to creating a NWYC legacy.
When South Africa beat Cook Islands in their Quarter-Final yesterday, they became the first South African team ever reach the Semi-Final of a NWYC.
South Africa had only ever finished 5th at the event and are now guaranteed a top four finish.
Speaking after the game against the Cook Islands, their Captain Pophi Nematangari said: “I am super proud of the girls, we stayed united, stayed as a team, and played together to represent South Africa proudly, and look where it got us..
“To the Semi-Finals, for the first time!
Waiting for South Africa in their first ever Semi-Final is Australia, who are no strangers to this stage of the competition with it being their 8th Semi Final at the NWYC.
However, their Captain, Sophie Casey was still very humble after their 85-33 victory over Jamaica in the Quarter-Final, she said: “I don’t think it has really sunk in yet, I had the last quarter off, so I was able to watch the girls do their thing, which was awesome.
“I am just so proud of all of us, especially the way we have been able to come together and work through this week.”
Don’t forget to tune in to both Semi-Finals today, live and on demand for free on NetballPass
