UK: Zim Gems finish third in Celtic Cup; Diaspora Insurance hosts reception for team

By UK Correspondent

ZIMBABWE’s senior netball team, The Gems, finished a creditable third in the inaugural Celtic Cup tournament, which was held at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Zimbabwe battled for honours in the round-robin tournament which started last Thursday with the Welsh Feathers emerging overall winners.

The Welsh side beat Scottish Thistles 59-47 in Sunday’s final while the Zimbabwe Gems finished third after beating Northern Ireland Warriors 55-48 in the third/fourth place play-off final.

The Celtic Cup was created by Netball Northern Ireland, Netball Scotland, and Wales Netball to provide the best competitive tournament for athletes and spectators alike outside of the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

It is intended that the competition will grow in the coming years to include more invitational teams.

The Zimbabwe Gems, cheered on by singing and drumbeating supporters, took part in the elite level tournament by invitation.

Meanwhile the team will be hosted for a celebratory reception by Birmingham-based Diaspora Insurance, which specialises in the designing, marketing and distribution of insurance products and risk management solutions to the global African Diaspora.

The company was also one of the key corporate backers for the Zimbabwe Gems during their incredible run at the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool.

The reception will be held at the company’s global headquarters in Birmingham on Tuesday.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

THURSDAY

Scottish Thistles 56-58 Welsh Feathers

Northern Ireland Warriors 46-54 Zimbabwe Gems

FRIDAY

Welsh Feathers 64-45 Northern Ireland Warriors

Scottish Thistles 55-45 Zimbabwe Gems

SATURDAY

Welsh Feathers 50-46 Zimbabwe Gems

Scottish Thistles 53-40 Northern Ireland Warriors