World Cup bid a shot in the arm for netball

Diamonds legend Laura Geitz says the announcement of Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup is a welcome boost for a sport recovering from the impact of COVID-19.

Diamonds legend Laura Geitz says Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup is a welcome boost for a sport recovering from the impact of COVID-19.

Australia has put its hand up to stage netball’s premier event in seven years’ time, when Netball Australia will also celebrate its 100th anniversary.

If successful, it will be the fourth time netball’s World Cup will be held in Australia, following on from 1967, 1991 and 2015.

The unveiling of the NSW-based bid is perfect timing, with the Super Netball season set to start on August 1 after a lengthy delay caused by coronavirus.

“It’s a huge announcement for netball,” said Geitz, who captained Australia to World Cup glory in Sydney in 2015.

“It’s amazing to think that it could be potentially be back here. I was lucky enough to play essentially the biggest marquee event for our sport in front of our own family, friends and fans in our home crowd. There’s something very special about it.”

The Diamonds celebrate winning the 2015 Netball World Cup

Geitz said netball, like several other sports, was finding its feet again in the battle against COVID-19.

“The one common thing that all Australians know during the winter period is sport,” she said.

“Netball is coming back but it’s such an unknown time. I’m really excited that netball will be up and away from the start of August.

“And for women’s sport, we’ve gained some amazing momentum over the previous years, and it’s really heading in the right direction. It’s important for us to keep that momentum going.”

That momentum includes Australia’s success, in conjunction with New Zealand, in earning hosting rights for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“As much as I’m drawn to netball, it’s amazing to see other women’s codes taking off,” Geitz said.

“The competition all of sudden of young girls having so many different sports to choose from and so many different female athletes to look up to is fantastic.”

Netball Australia will know by the end of the year if the bid is successful.

NA CEO Marne Fechner said: “Our vision for 2027 is to deliver the most successful women’s world cup of the modern era, one that powers a lasting global legacy for netball and women, showcases the game’s best athletes and welcomes the international netball family to Sydney yet again.”

The announcement of the bid is also timely in that in coincides with Team Girls, an initiative driven by Geitz to foster and promote girls’ participation in sport, now partnering with Sports Australia.

“The messaging that we’ve been pushing so hard in netball is now spreading across women’s sport in general,” Geitz said.