NETBALL giants New Zealand are celebrating after being crowned youth world champions.

The team scored a 52-47 victory against reigning champs Australia on Saturday in the final of the seventh World Youth Netball Champions 2013, held at Glasgow's Emirates Arena.

The nailbiting game ended the prestigious sporting competition which saw netball squads from across the globe compete in Glasgow.

The 10-day competition attracted thousands of spectators plus 400 players and officials.

Maggie Murray, chief executive of Netball Scotland, said the Kiwis were the deserved winners.

She said: "Australia had played really well leading up to the game but when New Zealand came on they just wouldn't let them get ahead.

"It was a fantastic game."

The Scotland side, which included Commonwealth Games hopefuls Lynsey Gallagher, Bev Campbell, Nicola McCleery and Shaunagh McCuaig, finished 12th in the competition after being beaten 51-48 by Namibia in their final play-off on Friday.

Ms Murray said hosting the event was hugely beneficial to Glasgow and Scotland.

She said: "It is a big deal in terms of raising the profile of the sport and - for the reasons we joined up with Glasgow Life - to get unprecedented numbers in Scotland to watch the sport.

"More than 5000 kids came through the door over the 10 days.

"And more than 2500 people attended the opening ceremony.

"We had world class players from 20 countries from all as far afield as Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.

"It really put the city on the map as we prepare for 2014.

"It's important for younger generations who have never thought of trying the sport and for older people who maybe used to play netball but stopped."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk