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Group D of the 2023 Netball World Cup presents us with a mix of dominance, youth and wild cards as it presents four intriguing teams.
The different pools may have some favourites, but the underdogs also want to make a name for themselves. Here we take a deep dive into the teams participating in the group.
New Zealand | Nickname: Silver Ferns | World ranking: 2nd
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The New Zealand Silver Ferns, renowned for their consistency and excellence, have participated in every Netball World Cup since its inception in 1963.
With an impressive record of five tournament victories, including the triumph in the previous edition in England, 2019 defeating rivals Australia in the final.
The current world champions have never finished outside of the top three in every tournament they have participated in, making them favourites to retain the title based on their record.
Under the guidance of their skilled coach, Noeline Taurua, the Silver Ferns have experienced tremendous success, including winning the Fast5 Netball World Series in 2018.
Taurua's leadership has transformed the team, and they aim to add another gold medal to their collection.
Uganda | Nickname: She Cranes | World ranking: 8th
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Uganda, a rising force in international netball, will participate in their fourth Netball World Cup. Although a relatively new contender, having debuted in 1979, Uganda has shown promising growth and development.
The She Cranes will appear at their third straight tournament, having previously taken part in 2015 and 2019 in Australia and England.
With their highest-ever finish of seventh place in the previous tournament, they aspire to improve their ranking this year.
They are led by coach Fred Mugerwa, who will make his first appearance at the showpiece event after he was unceremoniously booted out three weeks before the start of the 2015 World Cup.
Mugerwa has since returned to the national team set-up, successfully guiding his team to a fifth-place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after defeating South Africa.
The She Cranes have the potential to surprise their opponents and exceed expectations and are a dark horse heading into the tournament.
Trinidad & Tobago | Nickname: The Calypso Girls | World ranking: 11th
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Trinidad & Tobago's netball team, the Calypso Girls, have been a force to reckon with since the early years of the Netball World Cup.
They have participated in every tournament bar the 1991 edition and are the only side outside New Zealand and Australia to have won the tournament when they did so on home soil in 1979.
Having secured second place in 1987, they yearn to recapture their former glory and win their second-ever title.
Under the interim coaching of Joel Young-Strong, a retired international umpire, the Calypso Girls aim to build on their ninth-place finish in the previous tournament and reestablish themselves as serious contenders for the championship.
Singapore | World ranking: 28
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Singapore enters the tournament as the lowest-ranked team in Pool D, standing at 28 in the world rankings.
Despite their underdog status, Singapore has demonstrated determination and potential in recent international tournaments.
Led by head coach Annette Bishop, who has been involved with Netball Singapore since 2015, the team aims to surpass their previous performance, finishing 16th.
Drawing inspiration from their victories in the Nations Cup and Asian Netball Championships in 2005, Singapore hopes to cause upsets and make a lasting impression on the global netball stage.
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