Australian Diamonds dress unveiling exposes Netball World Cup’s sponsorship blow

Eagle-eyed netball fans were quick to spot a bizarre detail on the Australia World Cup dress, now it’s revealed to have been a massive sponsiorship blow.

There was a notable absence on the Diamonds’ World Cup dresses. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

The Netball World Cup has suffered a massive blow just weeks out from the first match with major sponsor Vitality withdrawing their involvement.

Medical insurance company Vitality had secured naming rights to the tournament which is set to get underway in Cape Town later this month but an 11th hour blow leaves World Netball in something of a crisis.

Eagle-eyed netball fans were quick to question why the Diamonds had taped over the Vitality logo during their World Cup dress unveiling on Tuesday and now we have the answer.

Eagle-eyed netball fans spotted the Vitality logo had been taped over on the Diamonds’ dresses. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Netball Australia

“It was our intention to be the title sponsor of the Netball World Cup 2023. Regrettably, following negotiation, we were unable to reach a mutually agreeable partnership,” Vitality’s parent company Discovery said.

“Discovery is therefore focusing its support for netball on the national teams in South Africa and England, namely the Proteas and the Vitality Roses.

“Discovery is committed to female sport in South Africa and abroad, and to netball.”

The World Cup commences on July 28 with Australia drawn in a pool with Zimbabwe, Tonga and Fiji.

Originally published as Australian Diamonds dress unveiling exposes Netball World Cup’s sponsorship blow