The International Netball Federation (INF) has announced that it will be bringing the 15th Netball World Cup to Liverpool in 2019.

Held at ACC Liverpool, the tournament was brought to the city due to the Liverpool’s internationally renowned reputation for hosting sports and major events, including the World Netball Series.

INF president, the Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ, CD, said:

“On behalf of the Board of the International Netball Federation, I am delighted to announce that Liverpool will be the hosts of the 2019 Netball World Cup. England put in a strong bid and we are confident that they will deliver an outstanding event in an excellent venue in the city of Liverpool.

“It is an exciting time for netball right now, which is growing at an unprecedented rate throughout the world. We look forward to seeing this growth continue to soar and to working with the Organising Committee in bringing the INF’s most important event to England in 2019.”

The 2019 Netball World Cup will form part of the UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, investing approximately £40 million of National Lottery funding to get as many of 100 world-class event to the country and build a strong legacy based on the London 2012 Olympics and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games.

CEO of England Netball Joanna Adams said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the rights to stage the World Cup, the biggest competition in netball. With participation increasing in the sport, this will provide a welcome incentive to build upon our momentum and increase the visibility of netball in our country.

“Having worked with Liverpool to host major global tournaments previously, we have a proven track record of being able to stage such a prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming the netball world to the North West. On behalf of England Netball, I would like to thank all parties who worked with us on securing this bid.”

Helen Grant, Minister for Sport, added:

“I’m delighted that the 2019 Netball World Cup will be held in Liverpool. Not only is it a major coup for the city, but for the country as a whole. I have no doubt that by hosting this major event on home soil we will raise the profile of this great sport even further and boost women’s sport generally.”

Liz Nicholl, chief executive of UK Sport and a former chief executive of England Netball, said:

“UK Sport is delighted England Netball’s outstanding bid for the 2019 World Cup has been successful.

“Netball is thriving with unprecedented growth in participation, support from sponsors and exposure in the media, as well as the Government’s strong commitment to promoting women’s sport. I really do believe that Liverpool offers the perfect platform to help the International Netball Federation develop and grow this fantastic sport, not just in England but globally.

“I am convinced we can help deliver a remarkable tournament in Liverpool in 2019 that will promote the growth of netball and once again demonstrate the considerable value we place on women’s sport in the UK.”

ACC Liverpool, on the city’s World Heritage waterfront site, includes the Echo Arena that will act as the competition venue; the Exhibition Centre, acting as the athlete training venue; and the BT Convention Centre, acting as the INF Congress venue. The new four-star Pullman hotel, also located on the ACC Liverpool site, will act as the official INF event hotel to help deliver the most seamless and athlete-focussed Netball World Cup ever.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:

“I am thrilled that Liverpool has been chosen to stage the Netball World Cup in 2019. It is a huge honour and vote of confidence, and demonstrates our track record in delivering major quality events.

“Sport is hugely important in Liverpool and we have committed to a 10 year partnership with England Netball to build participation and grow the audience up to and beyond the event through a series of top internationals. Our aim is to inspire people to participate in the sport and develop the next generation of netballers.

“The stunning ACC Liverpool will be the perfect stage for the event and we are looking forward to welcoming a global audience of competing nations and putting on a show the sport can be truly proud of.”

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Words: Peter Cribley