The Cook Islands under-21 netball team has qualified for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, following a hard-fought, intense battle on Saturday.

The John Glassie-coached side defeated Papua New Guinea 64-62 to finish third in the Oceania Netball World Youth Cup Qualifiers at the National Sports Arena.

Cook Islands joins the tournament winners Samoa, runner-up Tonga and Fiji who had already qualified for the World Youth Cup to be held in September 2025.

Against PNG, Cook Islands took an early lead and ended the first quarter 20-13 in their favour.

PNG bounced back in the second quarter but Cook Islands held on, leading 33-27 at the break.

The third quarter saw the Cook Islands reduced by one player after their goal defence was given a two-minute yellow card following a hit on a PNG player.

PNG took advantage of this to cushion the deficit, but Cook Islands maintained the pressure and ended the third quarter with a slender 48-45 lead.

In the final quarter, with support from the home crowed, a determined Cook Islands fought tooth and nail to overcome PNG 64-62.

Coach Glassie said: “We knew PNG was fast, we expected a fast game, to their credit they actually kept going in the whole game.”

“In the previous games at about half time they started to slow down so it was really pleasing to have a tight game towards the end and they really pushed us right through. It was a great game and congratulations to PNG for being here and we have moved on to the next stage and we are really happy.”

Glassie added that they had home court advantage, the drums were going, received positive feedback, and enjoyed the support of the local residents.

He said they would have some time off and enjoy the fact that they have qualified before starting their preparations for the World Cup.