Celebrate netball passion in Rarotonga...

The idyllic Cook Islands is the next stop for some of the world's top female athletes as it prepares to host the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships on the island paradise of Rarotonga.

May this be the first of many warm welcomes you receive from the people of the Cook Islands.

20 Teams are expected to converge on the island that has already hosted Golden Oldies Netball and demonstrated its capacity to look after over 2000 athletes in fine style. By 2009 however, a new indoor multi -sports venue will have been constructed for the Pacific Mini Games (to be held in September 2009) which will enable the Cook Islands to offer an international standard facility for this important world event.

"The beauty and charm of our islands is matched only by the friendliness of our people. Here among your island friends, you will find the hospitality warm and spontaneous, the music and dancing exuberant, the mood relaxed....you will be welcomed by our people and treated as a friend" Cook Islands Tourism

Countries that have indicated their interest in taking part in WYNC 2009 include:

•     Australia
•     Barbados
•     Botswana
•     Cook Islands
•     England
•     Fiji
•     Jamaica
•     Malawi
•     Malaysia
•     New Zealand
•     Northern Ireland
•     Papua New Guinea
•     Samoa
•     Scotland
•     Singapore
•     South Africa
•     Trinidad & Tabago
•     USA
•     Vanuatu
•     Wales