Sport

NZ named as host for Fast 5 return

06:12 am on 23 December 2021

The Fast 5 World Series is returning to the international netball calendar, with New Zealand to host the five-a-side tournament for the next three years.

New Zealand Silver Ferns win 2018 Fast Five title. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Netball New Zealand had been awarded the rights for the event through to 2024.

Christchurch would host in 2022 and 2023, with next year's tournament set down for early November.

The series was last played in Melbourne in 2018 when New Zealand picked up the latest of their seven titles.

It was last hosted in New Zealand in 2014.

"We're really excited to be hosting this fast-paced tournament again - it is a real celebration of netball, on and off the court," Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said.

"Due to Covid-19 there have been challenges with delivering netball recently so what better way to welcome the return of FAST5 athletes than by hosting this event and welcoming the world's best netballers to our shores."

Fast 5 was a modified version of the game featuring multiple point shots, double point power plays, five players-a-side and shortened quarters.

Next year's event would also include men's and youth exhibition matches on the schedule.