Barbados continue the slow, but steady rise up the netball world rankings, reaching ninth in the latest tables released by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) on Friday.
Since November last year, Barbados have moved up one spot to ninth, exchanging places with Samoa. There was also a shake-up at the top where New Zealand are now No. 1, moving ahead of Australia, but there are no changes in the middle of the Top Ten.
Alwyn Babb, head coach of the senior Barbados netball team, is pleased that some aspects of the national programme are bearing fruits. The team has moved up two places since he took over.
At the time of his appointment, Babb promised it would be a gradual rise and cautioned against expectations of beating the top countries in the world right away.
“We wanted to move things along a lot faster. The cohesiveness and gelling of the team took a bit longer, with people buying into the style of play, but I think it is taking shape,” he told NATIONSPORT in an interview on Saturday evening.
“I feel that at least the standard of play has improved the ranking, bringing them closer to those teams we are looking to knock off at these World Championships.”
Barbados have been drawn in Group D with England, Malawi and Malaysia. Malawi, who are ranked No. 7, have been identified as the team Barbados want to knock off to play for a spot in the top eight.
“Based on how the rankings are done and how they weigh the competition, we are doing well. Malawi and Trinidad and Tobago are ahead of us because they have played more games.”
The coach believes the team is coming together at the right time, with a combination of youth and experience.
“You can’t build a World Championships team expecting the least experienced players to carry the work load. I am glad the senior players are gelling so they can bring on the young turks like Samantha Browne, Damisha Croney and Fay Sealy and they can step in when the older players retire.”
Meanwhile, inclement weather forced the postponement of Saturday night’s warm-up match against the Combined Clubs and it will be played at a date to be announced this week.
