Netball: World champs draw released

The Silver Ferns will play Fiji in their opening match at the netball World Championships in July. Photo / Getty Images

The Silver Ferns will open their world title campaign in Singapore with a pool match against Fiji on July 4.

The pool B top seeds will meet Wales the following day before taking on Trinidad and Tobago on July 6 for their final match.

The quarterfinals will be on July 7, the semifinals on July 8 and the final on July 10 at 8.45pm (NZtime).

The 16 participating teams are defending champions Australia, Barbados, Botswana, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malawi, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago and Wales.

Meanwhile, Fiji will be preparing for the world championship with help of former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering who will assist Gabriel Qoro for the Pacific Series in May.

Melbourne Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg who coached the country to sixth spot in the 1999 world championship will also work with Fiji before the team depart for Singapore.

- NZPA