{{Short description|Ranking system for national netball teams}} The '''World Netball Rankings''' are a ranking system for [[List of national netball teams|national netball teams]]. They were originally known as the '''IFNA World Rankings''' and previously known as the '''INF World Rankings'''. They are published by [[World Netball]]. They were first introduced in February 2008 and have been developed and maintained by the cricket statistician, [[David Kendix]].<ref name=scoop120208>{{cite web|title=New World Ranking System for Netball|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0802/S00133/new-world-ranking-system-for-netball.htm|publisher=www.scoop.co.nz|access-date=11 December 2023|date=12 February 2008}}</ref><ref name=wnrhubo>{{cite web|url=https://netball.sport/events-and-results/world-rankings-hub/|title=World Rankings Hub – Overview|publisher=[[World Netball]]|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=wnrhistory>{{cite web|url=https://netball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WN-World-Rankings-History-of-Annual-Updates-2008-2025.pdf|title=World Rankings – History of Annual Updates 2008–2025|publisher=[[World Netball]]|date=1 March 2025|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> [[Australia national netball team|Australia]] and [[New Zealand national netball team|New Zealand]] have dominated the World Netball Rankings. Between 2008 and 2018 they were the only two teams to have ever held the number one and/or number two places. In July 2018, [[England national netball team|England]] became the first team to break their dominance when they were ranked number two.<ref name=wnrhistory/><ref name=bbc020718>{{cite web|title=England Netball: Commonwealth champions second in world for first time since rankings began|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball/44683126|publisher=www.bbc.com|access-date=23 December 2023|date=2 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=en020718>{{cite web|url=https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/england-roses-second-inf-world-rankings/|title=England Roses up to second in INF World Rankings|publisher=www.englandnetball.co.uk|date=2 July 2018|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=skysports020718>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/11423732/england-up-to-second-in-world-rankings-as-automatic-qualifiers-for-netball-world-cup-2019-are-confirmed|title=England up to second in world rankings as automatic qualifiers for Netball World Cup 2019 are confirmed|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=2 July 2018|access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref> In July 2019, [[Jamaica national netball team|Jamaica]] were ranked number two for the first time.<ref name=wnrhistory/><ref name=skysports030719>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/11755265/jamaica-overtake-england-in-latest-international-netball-federation-rankings|title=Jamaica overtake England in latest International Netball Federation Rankings|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=3 July 2019|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
==Current rankings== {{World Netball Rankings}}
==History== ===Australia=== [[Australia national netball team|Australia]] is regularly ranked number one in the World Netball Rankings. They have never dropped below number two.<ref name=wnrhistory/><ref name=na050324>{{cite web|title=Diamonds retain World Number One ranking|url=https://netball.com.au/news/diamonds-retain-world-number-one-ranking|publisher=netball.com.au|access-date=31 July 2025|date=5 March 2024}}</ref>
===New Zealand=== [[New Zealand national netball team|New Zealand]] is regularly ranked number two in the World Netball Rankings. In January 2011, after winning the [[Netball at the 2010 Commonwealth Games|2010 Commonwealth Games]] tournament, they replaced [[Australia national netball team|Australia]] at the top of the rankings for the first time. In 2013 they were again ranked number one.<ref name=wnrhistory/><ref name=nzherald240111>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball/silver-ferns/netball-silver-ferns-now-world-no-1/2NLWFKPY4KJVJA7UGZ4BVZAKPQ/|title=Netball: Silver Ferns now world No. 1|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=24 January 2011|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> After finishing fourth at the [[Netball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Commonwealth Games]], New Zealand dropped, for the first time in their history, to third.<ref name=sf141218>{{cite web|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/silver-ferns/news/latest-news/silver-ferns-reclaim-world-number-two-ranking.html|title=Silver Ferns reclaim world number two ranking|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|date=14 December 2018|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> In July 2019, they dropped to fourth.<ref name=wnrhistory/><ref name=skysports030719/> However, after winning the [[2019 Netball World Cup]], they moved back up to second.<ref name=sf040919>{{cite web|url=https://www.silverferns.co.nz/silver-ferns/news/latest-news/silver-ferns-lift-to-second-in-world-rankings.html|title=Silver Ferns lift to second in world rankings|publisher=www.silverferns.co.nz|date=4 September 2019|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
===England=== Between 2008 and 2018, [[England national netball team|England]] was regularly ranked number three in the World Netball Rankings.<ref name=wnrhistory/> In May 2018, after winning gold at the [[Netball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Commonwealth Games]], they initially remained at number three.<ref name=bbc160518>{{cite web|title=England Netball: Commonwealth Games gold medallists remain third in world rankings|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/44143684|publisher=www.bbc.com|access-date=31 July 2025|date=16 May 2018}}</ref> However in July 2018, they moved up to number two. This saw England became the first team to be ranked in the top two apart from [[Australia national netball team|Australia]] and [[New Zealand national netball team|New Zealand]].<ref name=bbc020718/><ref name=en020718/><ref name=skysports020718/> After finishing as runners up at the [[2019 Netball Quad Series]] and defeating both Australia and New Zealand, England returned to the number two position.<ref name=en0119>{{cite web|url=https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/vitality-roses-back-second-inf-world-rankings/|title=Vitality Roses back up to second in INF World Rankings|publisher=www.englandnetball.co.uk|date=January 2019|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> In October 2024, England were ranked number two for a third time after defeating Australia in Australia during their [[2024 Australia England netball series|2024 series]] and then winning the [[2024 Taini Jamison Trophy Series]].<ref name=en1024>{{cite web|url=https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/vitality-roses-move-up-to-second-in-world-netball-world-rankings/|title=Vitality Roses move up to second in World Netball World Rankings|publisher=www.englandnetball.co.uk|date=October 2024|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=rnz181024>{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/531154/silver-ferns-drop-to-third-in-world-netball-rankings|title=Silver Ferns drop to third in world netball rankings|publisher=www.rnz.co.nz|date=18 October 2024|access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>
===Jamaica=== Between 2008 and 2018, [[Jamaica national netball team|Jamaica]] was regularly ranked number four in the World Netball Rankings.<ref name=wnrhistory/> However, in July 2019, they were ranked number two for the first time.<ref name=skysports030719/> During the early 2020s they have regularly challenged [[England national netball team|England]] for the number three position.<ref name=cnw170822>{{cite web|url=https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/sports/jamaicas-sunshine-girls-now-third-in-the-world/|title=Jamaica's Sunshine Girls now third in the world|publisher=www.caribbeannationalweekly.com|date=17 August 2022|access-date=26 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="sportsmax191224">{{Cite web|url=https://sportsmax.tv/other-sports/netball/sunshine-girls-rise-to-third-in-world-netball-rankings-england-drop-to-fourth|title=Sunshine Girls Rise to Third in World Netball Rankings, England Drop to Fourth|publisher=sportsmax.tv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227175335/https://sportsmax.tv/other-sports/netball/sunshine-girls-rise-to-third-in-world-netball-rankings-england-drop-to-fourth|archive-date=27 December 2024|date=19 December 2024|access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="sportsmax060325">{{Cite web|url=https://sportsmax.tv/other-sports/netball/sunshine-girls-strengthen-hold-on-third-in-latest-world-netball-rankings|title=Sunshine Girls strengthen hold on third in latest World Netball Rankings|publisher=sportsmax.tv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323102624/https://sportsmax.tv/other-sports/netball/sunshine-girls-strengthen-hold-on-third-in-latest-world-netball-rankings|archive-date=23 March 2025|date=6 March 2025|access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref>
===Wales=== Between 2008 and 2024, [[Wales national netball team|Wales]] averaged 9th in the World Netball Rankings.<ref name=wnrhistory/> In September 2017, they were listed 7th.<ref name="wn290917">{{Cite web|url=https://walesnetball.com/wales-rises-to-highest-ever-place-in-international-netball-federation-inf-world-rankings/|title=Wales rises to highest ever place in INF World Rankings|publisher=walesnetball.com|date=29 September 2017|access-date=26 September 2025}}</ref> In March 2022, they qualified for the [[Netball at the 2022 Commonwealth Games|2022 Commonwealth Games]] after being ranked 8th.<ref name="wn040322">{{Cite web|url=https://walesnetball.com/wales-among-final-6-to-qualify-for-commonwealth-games/|title=Wales Among Final 6 to Qualify for Commonwealth Games|publisher=walesnetball.com|date=4 March 2022|access-date=26 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=skysports040322/> In March 2025 they were listed 6th for the first time.<ref name=wnrhistory/><ref name="wn060325">{{Cite web|url=https://walesnetball.com/welsh-feathers-break-into-world-netballs-top-six-for-the-first-time/|title=Welsh Feathers Break into World Netball's Top Six for the First Time|publisher=walesnetball.com|date=6 March 2025|access-date=28 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="bbc060325">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/articles/cx2099gz883o|title=Sixth in world is 'incredible' for Welsh Feathers|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|date=6 March 2025|access-date=28 September 2025}}</ref>
==Qualification== ===Fast5 Netball World Series=== The top six teams, based on the World Netball Rankings, are invited to play in the [[Fast5 Netball World Series]].<ref name=101022fast5>{{cite web |url=https://fast5netball.com/fast5/news/christchurch-to-stage-return-of-international-fast5-netball.html|title=Christchurch to stage return of international FAST5 netball|publisher=fast5netball.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205021512/https://fast5netball.com/fast5/news/christchurch-to-stage-return-of-international-fast5-netball.html|access-date=7 February 2025|date=10 October 2022|archive-date=5 December 2022}}</ref> ===Commonwealth Games=== Teams qualified for the [[Netball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|2018]], [[Netball at the 2022 Commonwealth Games|2022]] and [[Netball at the 2026 Commonwealth Games|2026 Commonwealth Games]] based on their World Netball Rankings.<ref name=skysports040322>{{cite news |title=Commonwealth Games: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland secure places |url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/12557267/commonwealth-games-scotland-wales-and-northern-ireland-secure-places|publisher=www.skysports.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304214625/https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/12557267/commonwealth-games-scotland-wales-and-northern-ireland-secure-places|archive-date=4 March 2022|date=4 March 2022|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="2018todor66">{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Commonwealth/Women_2018.html|title=Women Netball Commonwealth Games Golden Goast, Australia 2018|publisher=www.todor66.com|access-date=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112170328/http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Commonwealth/Women_2018.html|archive-date=12 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=wn061125>{{cite web |url=https://netball.sport/worlds-top-12-nations-confirmed-for-netball-at-glasgow-2026/|title=World’s Top 12 Nations Confirmed for Netball at Glasgow 2026|publisher=[[World Netball]]|date=6 November 2025|access-date=19 December 2025}}</ref>
===Netball World Cup=== The top six ranked teams qualified automatically for the [[2019 Netball World Cup|2019]]<ref name=bbc020718/><ref name=en020718/><ref name=skysports020718/> and [[2023 Netball World Cup]]s.<ref name=on150822>{{cite web|url=https://www.oceanianetball.com/News/Latest+World+Rankings.html|title=Latest World Rankings|publisher=www.oceanianetball.com|date=15 August 2022|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=skysports150822>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/12673569/englands-vitality-roses-invited-to-compete-at-netball-world-cup-but-drop-ranking-place|title=England's Vitality Roses invited to compete at Netball World Cup but drop ranking place|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=15 August 2022|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=bbc150822>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/62555899|title=England Netball: Roses drop to fourth in world rankings|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk|date=15 August 2022|access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
== Calculation== All test matches played by a team in the last four years, including matches in the [[Netball World Cup]] and [[Netball at the Commonwealth Games]], are considered in the calculation. The ranking of teams is determined by comparing teams' ratings, which is the average points earned per match in the last four years.<ref name=wnrfao>{{cite web|title=World Rankings Hub – Frequently Asked Questions|url=https://netball.sport/events-and-results/world-rankings-hub/frequently-asked-questions|publisher=[[World Netball]]|access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref>
===Points per match=== Teams earn points for each match, with the specific amount determined based on the outcome of the match (win or loss) and the rating of their opponents.<ref name=wnrfao/> *In matches between teams within 40 rating points of each other, winning a game earns a team 50 more points than their opponent's current rating, while losing a match earns a team 50 points less than their opponent's current rating. *In matches between teams more than 40 rating points apart, an exception is applied where the rating of a team's opponent is treated as if it is ''exactly'' 40 points apart for the purpose of the calculation. That is, higher-rated team would have their opponent possess a rating of 40 points less than them, while the lower-rated team would have their opponent possess a rating of 40 above them. A team's rating always increases following a victory and decreases after a loss. However, winning against a higher-ranked team increases a team's rating more and losing against a lower-ranked team decreases a team's rating more.
===Weighting=== In the calculation of a team's rating, the points earned for each game are weighted based on the time the match was played.<ref name=wnrfao/> * Matches played in the two most recent years before the time of calculation are weighted at 100%. * Matches played three to four years before the time of calculation are weighted at 50%.
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
{{World Netball}} {{Netball}} {{Sport world rankings}}
[[Category:World Netball|Rankings]] [[Category:Sports world rankings|Netball]] [[Category:2008 establishments]]