Netball: Sydney to be host city for 2027 World Cup

Australia has won the hosting rights to the 2027 Netball World Cup, which will be played in Sydney.

The Diamonds celebrate winning the 2015 Netball World Cup. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Diamonds great Laura Geitz says Sydney securing hosting rights for the 2027 World Cup is a massive boost in netball’s bid to remain the centrepiece of Australia’s growing women’s sporting landscape.

Having hosted the event only six years ago, Sydney will again stage world netball’s most prestigious tournament, with 16 nations competing in an event that will coincide with Australian netball’s centenary celebrations.

Geitz, who captained the Diamonds to World Cup glory in 2015, said netball’s popularity among Australian girls was being challenged by the burgeoning profile of national women’s competitions in Australian football (AFLW), rugby league (NRLW), rugby union (Super W), football. (W-League) and cricket (WBBL).

“With the rise of women’s sport there’s just so much competition now for netball – we’re constantly trying to stay ahead of the pack,” Geitz said.

“We’ve held the title of being the number one participation sport (in Australia) for so long, but we’ve constantly got to be striving to keep that and to keep girls in our game.

“Events like these naturally help that process. The World Cup in 2015 was here and it was nice to be able to show that next generation coming through what a pinnacle event that was, and you can only imagine that 2027 will only be more exciting.”

The Diamonds celebrate winning the Netball World Cup in 2015 in Sydney. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Netball Australia chair Paolina Hunt said an “enormous amount of work” had gone into the hosting bid.

“It's thrilling to think that we can now begin to transform our vision into reality,” Hunt said.

“We know that netball plays a key role in connecting and empowering young women and girls … who can now dream of working to represent the Diamonds in front of huge home crowds.”

International Netball Federation president Liz Nicholl said: “Australia put in a strong bid and we are confident they will deliver an excellent event in the city of Sydney, as we have seen Netball Australia do so in the past.”

“As our sport continues to grow and evolve at an unprecedented rate around the globe, we look forward to working with the organising committee and Netball Australia on netball’s growth and development whilst delivering a thrilling world-class event that will no doubt inspire all and work towards creating a better world through netball.”

Geitz hoped the Diamonds would embrace the expectations associated with being the host team.

“In 2015 in Sydney we underestimated the pressure that comes with hosting, but the extra pressure brings about those really incredibly special moments,” she said.
“You’ve got to use the pressure to your advantage.”

Originally published as Netball: Sydney to be host city for 2027 World Cup