https://youtu.be/VYY_nV_y6aM
The Netball World Cup 2019 has today been officially launched in Liverpool, as the city looks ahead to welcoming the world’s most prestigious netball competition next summer.
The launch event took place at the city’s iconic St George’s Hall, ahead of the first Regional Qualifier tournament – in Perth, Scotland this weekend – signalling the start of the race for nations from across the world to book their place at the tournament, which will take place at Echo Arena Liverpool, part of the ACC Liverpool campus, in July 2019.
Today’s event featured an exhibition game of netball in the historic Great Hall, with women and girls representing a variety of netball-playing nations joining speakers from Netball World Cup 2019, England Netball and Liverpool City Council. The main strategic ‘pillars’ of the event were also revealed through the launch of the event brand.
The brand, entitled ‘This is Netball’, will incorporate four pillars: elite sport, empowering women and girls, Liverpool and the world. More information about the story behind the new Netball World Cup 2019 brand can be found here.
Speaking about the elite aspect of the event, which will see 16 of the world’s leading teams come together to compete over a thrilling ten-day period next summer, former England international and Director of Netball at Vitality Superleague champions Wasps Netball, Tamsin Greenway, said:
“The Netball World Cup is the pinnacle competition in netball and will bring the very best players in the world to Liverpool in 2019.
“To represent your country at the highest level of netball is a true honour and for the England players and fans, a home World Cup is a once-in-a-generation event so I am sure the world cup in Liverpool will be a spectacular competition.”
Speaking about how the Netball World Cup will inspire and empower women and girls, England Netball CEO Joanna Adams said:
“Through Netball World Cup 2019 we have the opportunity to empower women and girls to be the best they can be. Seeing incredible athletes and fantastic female role models competing at the highest level, on their doorstep, will inspire women and girls across the country to get involved in our unique sport.
“We are looking forward to creating an event that gives women and girls – be they mums, daughters or groups of female friends – and all who attend with them, an unforgettable experience.”
Speaking about the home that Liverpool will provide for the event, Wendy Simon, Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member – Culture, Tourism and Events for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Staging prestigious events such as the Netball World Cup is yet another reason why Liverpool is held in high esteem in the sporting world.
“Netball is a hugely popular sport, and I’m sure when the World Cup heads to the Echo Arena Liverpool it will live up to its reputation as a fast-paced, boisterous and hugely entertaining sport.
“But it’s not just sport this city is renowned for – our warm welcome attracts millions of visitors every year and I’m sure the global competitors and spectators taking part in the Netball World Cup will experience this first-hand.”
Speaking about the global reach of the Netball World Cup 2019, Event Director, Lindsay Impett said:
“Netball World Cup 2019 will be a truly international tournament and we aim to capture the hearts and minds of people across the globe to raise the profile of netball worldwide.
“Welcoming the world to Liverpool in 2019 is an important part of our event, but so too is supporting the International Netball Federation with the worldwide development of netball. Working closely with the INF and England Netball, and in conjunction with UK Sport, Netball World Cup 2019 will support developing netball nations through an international programme that will leave a lasting impact on the sport beyond 2019.”
International Netball Federation CEO, Clare Briegal, added:
“The Netball World Cup is the INF’s most prestigious event and we are delighted with the progress made so far. The event is totally aligned with our three core strategies of Thrilling World-Class Events, Empowering Through Netball and Governing With Integrity, and all the values we hold dear for the development and success of netball around the world.
“It’s wonderful to see players from all our five regions represented here today. I truly believe we are going to have a fantastic World Cup here in Liverpool next year.”
The official launch of the Netball World Cup 2019 comes a day before the start of the first of five regional qualifying events for the tournament, which will see Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete for the two European places available, and will be live streamed on the BBC Sport website.
As host nation, England will qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the remaining 13 teams to qualify through International Netball Federation (INF) world rankings and regional qualifying tournaments in the remaining four regions – Africa, Americas, Asia and Oceania. The final list of qualified teams will be confirmed officially by the INF in September 2018.
The Netball World Cup 2019 – which is to be delivered by Netball World Cup 2019 Limited on behalf of England Netball and in partnership with the INF, UK Sport, Liverpool City Council and ACC Liverpool – takes place from 12-21 July 2019.
People interested in hearing more about the Netball World Cup 2019 can receive the latest updates via email by registering on the official website at nwc2019.co.uk
