World Netball (WN) is pleased to announce it has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Fan Engagement Programme’ category at the Sports Business Awards 2024 (SBA).
For this category the SBAs were looking for creative programmes used to engage and interact with fans, and WN submitted an entry based on the success of its OTT platform, NetballPass.
WN launched NetballPass in 2022, alongside its Member Netball New Zealand (NNZ), with the aim being to increase the global reach of netball and make the game more accessible to more people more often.
Since then, the platform has hosted WNs pinnacle event, the Netball World Cup 2023, become the home of the worlds three top elite domestic leagues for the international netball family, and hosted around 26 other international events, producing some outstanding results.
The content streamed so far has received over 1.2 million video plays, with over 54,000 users now registered to NetballPass.
Of these registered users 48% are under the age of 34 allowing WN to target a younger demographic and continue its journey to GROW.
The platform has also generated significant revenue which has then attributed back to the rights holder of each event to enable growth for WN Members.
Speaking on the excitement of the shortlisting, World Netball’s Head of Marketing, Digital and Broadcast, Emily Whiteside, said: “We are delighted that World Netball’s OTT platform, NetballPass, has been shortlisted for Best Fan Engagement Programme at the Sports Business Awards 2024.
“When we launched the platform in 2022, alongside Netball New Zealand it was our intention to increase the global reach of netball and make the game more accessible to more people more often, in line with our strategic plan.
“At the Netball World Cup 2023 alone, we reached 460,000 fans via NetballPass and this contributed to the event reaching a digital streaming audience of 2 million.
“It is great that we are now at a stage where we are also working with three of our Members, England Netball, Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand, to make their three elite domestic leagues available globally on NetballPass, allowing for the international Netball Family to tune in with ease and follow their favourite teams and international stars all in one place for the first time.
“NetballPass will only have inspired more people to get involved in netball, and we are are excited to see what more is to come.”
To view the full shortlist for the ‘Best Fan Engagement Programme’ Category, click here.