Friday 8 March 2019 10:45, UK
South Africa will host the 16th edition of the Netball World Cup in 2023 with the tournament being held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town.
It will be the first time that the Netball World Cup will be held in Africa and Netball South Africa's proposal was selected by the International Netball Federation (INF) ahead of another 'exceptional bid' submitted by Netball New Zealand.
"On behalf of the Board of the International Netball Federation, I am delighted to announce that Netball South Africa has been awarded the rights to host the 2023 Netball World Cup," said INF President, the Hon. Molly Rhone, OJ, CD.
"We were delighted to receive two exceptional bids and the INF Board was satisfied that both Netball New Zealand and Netball South Africa would be capable of hosting a successful and thrilling NWC2023.
"The INF Board decided that the significant investment that the South African Government and Western Cape were prepared to make over the next four years in netball facilities and coaching programmes in South Africa, the African continent and beyond would deliver a greater impact on the development of global netball."
The South Africa SPAR Netball Proteas are currently fifth in the INF world rankings. With a number of key internationals playing in the Vitality Superleague, and the side's impressive performances at the recent Quad Series under head coach Norma Plummer, they're set to deliver a strong account of themselves at this year's Netball World Cup in Liverpool.
Netball World Cup 2019 will take place from July 12-21 with every game of the tournament live on Sky Sports as 16 teams compete to take home netball's ultimate prize from the M&S Bank Arena. The Australian Diamonds are the defending champions after winning the 2015 edition on home soil in Sydney.
"It is an exciting time for netball right now," continued the INF President.
"Our sport is growing in popularity at an unprecedented rate throughout the world. There is increasing competitiveness between the top nations and now three teams from Africa feature in the top 10 of the INF World Rankings.
"We look forward to working with the Organising Committee to bring the INF's most important event to South Africa in 2023."
For Netball South Africa's CEO Blanche de la Guerre the aim will be to use netball, and the tournament, to drive participation of the sport and to help to contribute positively to wider social issues.
"Hosting this World Cup will make more young girls in our country to participate in the sport, especially young girls from the working class background," said the CEO.
"It will also play a major role in contributing to social cohesion and nation building cause that's what sport is all about."
Watch every match of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup live on Sky Sports from July 12. Also, Vitality Netball Superleague is back on Monday, March 11 when London Pulse host Team Bath - join us on Sky Sports Mix & Action from 7.15pm.
