LONDON, England (CMC):

England's netball director, Nigel Holl, has embraced the new world-ranking system for netball by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) that places his side ahead of Jamaica.

Under the previous system, the Jamaicans were rated No.3 in the world behind Australia and New Zealand, but the modified system that takes into account all international matches, relegated Jamaica's Sunshine Girls to fourth and lifted England to No.3.

"The new IFNA world-ranking system is a much more accurate reflection of form and consistency," Holl said. Previously, teams were ranked according to their World Cham-pionships finishing positions with no adjustments made for changes in form during the four-year period between World Championships.

Ranking

So, despite narrowly beating England for the bronze medal in a thrilling encounter at the World Championship in New Zealand last November, the Jamaicans are ranked fourth behind the English girls.

England had beaten Jamaica in a three-match test series earlier in 2007 and their win over powerhouse New Zealand - their first over the Silver Ferns for 34 years - in June 2007, also boosted England's stocks.

"The great thing about the new rankings is that they make every international match meaningful, which ups the competitive pressure on our squads and will encourage them to perform at the highest level every time they take to the court," Holl said.

Jamaica's Caribbean colleagues, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and Barbados, have been given more favourable positions under the new rankings system.

Modified system

At the WNC three months ago, T&T had placed 11th and Barbados 13th and both are better off with the modified system. Former world champions T&T, at No.7, with Barbados four places lower at 11th, and St Vincent and the Grenadines (12th) are the only other Caribbean teams among the 22 teams appearing on the list.

Countries need to contest eight international matches in a four-year period to be considered for the 22 ranking positions.