MANCHESTER, England (CMC):

The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) yesterday confirmed the playing dates for the 2009 World Youth Netball Championship (WYNC), which will be held in the Cook Islands in August.

The IFNA says the first game will be played on August 11, while the final is set for August 20.

In a release on its website, the IFNA stated that the opening ceremony and the first match will be played on August 11, with pool games continuing through to August 16 before the quarter-finals on the 17th and the semis on the 18th.

Game schedule

"The opening ceremony and first match will be on the 11th August 2009. Pool games will be held 12-16 August. The 17th will be quarter-finals. Semi-finals will be held on the 18th. Minor finals will be on the 19th and Major finals will be on the 20th August 2009," the IFNA stated.

The IFNA congress will be held on August 10.

At the last WYNC in Florida, in 2005, New Zealand emerged champions. England were surprise runners-up, while dethroned champions Australia picked up the bronze medal ahead of Jamaica, who placed fourth.

In the semi-finals, England had beaten Jamaica and New Zealand toppled Australia.

The young Silver Ferns defeated England in the final and Australia outgunned Jamaica 61-44 to take third place.

Preparation

Jamaica's team, coached by Janet Guy, has been preparing for the championships constantly for close to two years.

They played a three-Test series against Australia, which they lost 3-0, at the G. C. Foster College in June last year.