KEY POINTS:
New Zealand has won the rights to host the 2007 netball world championships after Fiji was stripped of the event because of its military coup.
The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) made the announcement today (NZT), saying the event would be delayed until November 2007, rather than
the July dates scheduled for Fiji.
That would give New Zealand time "to make full preparations for the event and maximise the commercial opportunities".
Jamaica and England were also understood to have expressed interest in hosting the event.
"Having worked through the implications, the only member able to commit to IFNA at this stage to hosting the event in 2007 was Netball New Zealand, who felt that a postponement until November would give them adequate time to prepare," IFNA president Molly Rhone said.
"After due deliberation, IFNA concluded that transferring the event to another country within the same region, in the same year, was preferable to postponing the event to 2008 and have therefore decided to accept Netball New Zealand's offer."
Rhone said it was important to act decisively to allow preparations to begin.
"IFNA really appreciates Netball New Zealand's offer to the international body at this time - and for taking up the challenge of hosting netball's premier international event at short notice."
Netball New Zealand was "thrilled" to take on the championships, said chairman Don Mackinnon.
"We are absolutely delighted. We think it is great for netball in New Zealand and great for netball internationally."
However, he said the project was being approached with "a degree of trepidation as there is a truckload of work to do".
The timeframe was dramatically reduced from the four years which host countries usually had to prepare for the champs.
"But we have carefully assessed whether it's feasible and we made the bid because we were confident it is.
"We now have to get out and do it."
After discussions with the international body, Netball New Zealand had determined that only Auckland and Christchurch had venues big enough to host the competition, and a decision would be made between the two.
A minimum seating capacity of 5500 was required, Mackinnon said.
Auckland offered the Trust Stadium at Waitakere, and the Vector Arena due for completion in March. Christchurch had the Westpac Centre.
The venues will be expected to submit formal proposals in January.
Netball New Zealand now had to negotiate a commercial contract with IFNA, set up a structure independent of the organisation's domestic competition, find a general manager for the project, and raise funds.
Mackinnon said he was confident of corporate support, but would also be talking to central and local government.
"We've already had expressions of support from those areas."
Mackinnon said Netball New Zealand had already secured the support of Sports Minister Trevor Mallard before making its bid.
"The minister supports the concept and is a great fan of netball, so we're very lucky."
A final decision on which city would host the games, and details of ticketing and accommodation packages would be made in February, Mackinnon said.
Sixteen teams are expected to take part in the two-week tournament.
"We're sure it will have a huge international audience."
- NZPA