The 2019 Netball World Cup, the 15th edition of the event, took place in Liverpool, England from 12th – 21st July 2019. This was the 3rd time the UK has hosted the event after the inaugural event in Eastbourne 1963 and Birmingham 1995. 16 teams from around the world competed for the World Champion title, with New Zealand claiming the crown after beating Australia in the gold medal match.
Here are a few highlights from the event:
INF Congress
The 2019 INF Congress was held on the 10th and 11th July 2019 at the ACC, Liverpool. 43 INF members from around the world met with the Board of Directors to review progress, determine priorities, and attend workshops. As part of the Congress, the INF invited the following speakers to deliver talks to its members:
- Julie Harrington, CEO of British Cycling – Tackling bullying and discrimination
- Malibu Raditladi, President Botswana Netball Association – Safe Sport programme
- Rowland Jack, Founder of I Trust Sport – Governance in sport
- Kate Agnew, Netball NewZealand – Netball Smart Programme
- Alanna Antcliff, Netball Australia Physio – The Knee programme
- Shari Layton, Former International Netballer – Athletes perspective
Watch all the videos from Congress here.
INF Elections
As part of the 2019 INF Congress, elections took place for the Board of Directors. Liz Nicholl CBE, former CEO of UK Sport, was elected as INF President and took over from Hon Molly Rhone OJ, CD on the 21st July 2019. Marva Bernard, OD was elected as Director for Americas, Lyn Carpenter was elected as Director for Europe, and Wainikiti Bogidrau was elected as Director for Oceania.
Find out more about the INF Board of Directors here.
Creating Choices
On the eve of the Netball World Cup, the INF launched its charitable campaign, Creating Choices. Former international netballer Sharni Layton and sports presenter, Caroline Barker supported the launch at the iconic Liver Building in Liverpool.
Creating Choices aims to bring netballers together from all over the world to help raise funds for grassroots netball. Find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved here.
Africa’s Domination
Four African countries; South Africa, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe qualified for the 2019 Netball World Cup and did not disappoint with all four finishing within the top 8, creating history for netball and for Africa.
Celebrations were felt throughout the competition around the arena, fan park and city as these African nations brought passion, excitement and fun to the city of Liverpool.
Teams and Players
It wouldn’t be a World Cup without the teams and its players and 2019 saw 16 countries bring their elite athletes to Liverpool for 10 days of intense competition. Trinidad & Tobago’s Rhonda John-Davis attended making it her sixth World Cup, the most by any player in World Cup history. Netball South Africa’s Karla Pretorius was awarded player of the tournament after her outstanding performance and teamwork.
A total of 192 athletes took part in the World Cup representing their countries and showcasing talent and skill. They showed what it was like to play as a team, to empower one another, to lose gracefully and to become World Champions. The Malawi players even showed us how to floss. To all those athletes, thank you for making the 2019 Netball World Cup a phenomenal event.
Officials
It wouldn’t be a World Cup without teams and players, but it most certainly wouldn’t be a World Cup without officials. Over 50 officials from the INF Officiating family came together in Liverpool to deliver a world-class event through world-class officiating. The officials also showcased the new World Class Officiating identity and kit on and off the court. To find out more visit the INF website here.
Fan Park
The Fan Park held at Chavasse Park, Liverpool One proved to be a huge success at the 2019 Netball World Cup. The open space was transformed into a netball hub complete with a big screen, mini netball court, activities and more for fans to make the most of their time in the city. Players also made appearances to meet and greet with fans.
It proved that much of a success that photos of the park went viral with the likes of ASOS tweeting about the sea of fans watching the big screen.
Jude
She brought joy, laughter, happiness, dancing, fun and one constant party. The Netball World Cup 2019 official mascot, Jude was a highlight throughout the tournament with her on-court games and dancing. Thank you to 10-year-old Orla Burner from Hertfordshire who created Jude making her the life and soul of the Netball World Cup.
Comic Relief Match
On Friday 19 July as part of the Netball World Cup, an All-Star netball match took place at the M&S Bank Arena in aid of Sport Relief. Celebrities Jennifer Saunders and Oti Mabuse captained the two teams and the event was hosted by sports personality, Clare Balding. The match saw an array of celebrities ditch their daytime attire for netball bibs to raise money to help changes lives in the UK and internationally.
Australia v New Zealand
The greatest rivals in netball history took centre stage at the Netball World final on the 21st July 2019. Bringing their best players in front of 8,000 fans, Australia and New Zealand battled it out to be crowned World Champions. With one goal difference, New Zealand pipped Australia to Gold (52-51) earning their first World Champion title since 2003.
Download the Netball World App to watch all the matches and highlights here.
South Africa 2023
During the closing ceremony of the Netball World Cup, the event was handed over to the next hosts, South Africa. The Netball World Cup 2023 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa and will be the first Netball World Cup to be hosted on the African continent. With four African teams finishing in the top 8, we look forward to what is to come in 2023.
The 2019 Netball World Cup was undoubtedly one to remember. The city of Liverpool, the volunteers, the fans, the players, the venue, the officials, the organising committee, the fan park, the atmosphere and the event from start to finish created a phenomenal World Cup that will go down in history.