Commonwealth Games: Uganda drawn against England, Kiwis in Netball

Pool A: Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji, North Ireland 

Pool B: New Zealand, England, Malawi, Wales, Uganda, Scotland

African champions, the She Cranes will need to prepare better than ever before if they are to survive and make it past the preliminary stage at the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast in Australia next year.

This follows the draws that were made Wednesday, placing Uganda in Pool B with New Zealand ranked second on the international chart, England (3rd ranked), Malawi (5th), Wales (8th) and Scotland (12^th).

At the draw ceremony, the bottom six ranked teams were randomly drawn into two pools in order to determine the match schedule for the preliminary round-robin stage of the competition.

Uganda who are making their maiden appearance, made it to the Commonwealth Games after winning the Africa Netball Championships, unbeaten.

The results elevated the She Cranes to 9th place from 13th position according to the International Netball Federation (INF) world rankings as of 1st July 2017.

In Pool A is the world's best Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji and North Ireland will be battling at the games scheduled for April next year.

INF president, Molly Rhone believes that with the draw, excitement for the games is only going to build. 

"We are confident that the netball competition is going to be a fantastic showcase for our sport and a thrilling world class event, and now that the draw has taken place, excitement and anticipation is really mounting," she said. 

Meanwhile, Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) publicity officer Wilberforce Mutete has also vowed that the She Cranes will be in shape to put up a better show at the time of the games.