Netball World Cup to be held every two years, aiming for men’s event also
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency / Photosport
World Netball has announced that the Netball World Cup will be held every two years, and a new event will take place every other year in an effort to grow the sport.
It’s part of a new global events strategy to showcase the best of the sport to more people more often.
It will also introduce an inaugural men’s Netball World Cup (NWC) in the next few years as it strives to build a case for Olympic Games inclusion.
The Netball World Cup has been held every four years since the first edition in 1963 but after the next World Cup in Sydney in 2027, all future World Cups will take place in November.
With the new two-year cycle, the following pinnacle event will be in November 2029.
The international federation believes the new World Netball events window will give consistency and certainty for all stakeholders including fans, media partners, and commercial partners.
It also won’t disrupt the domestic calendars where there are professional leagues.
It may help avoid a repeat of the calendar clash between the 2023 Netball World Cup and football’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, which was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
President of World Netball Dame Liz Nicholl said at the time that WN was ahead of FIFA with the dates.
“It would have been nice if actually they had approached us to consider the opportunity that’s missed in some way for both events to have a lot more profile and reach,” Nicholl said.
World Netball (WN) also plans to launch a new biennial event from November 2028, that will take place in non-NWC years.
The hosting of this event will be a requirement built into any future NWC hosting agreements, meaning the country who wins the bid to host the 2029 NWC will also host the 2028 biennial event.
World Netball said it wanted to ensure a world class international event took place every year, so the best players in the world could compete against each other more regularly, build rivalries and expand reach.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
It should be music to the ears of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua who sees a lack of international exposure as New Zealand’s biggest challenge.
This year the Silver Ferns are playing just seven tests.
World Netball chief executive Fiona Harold said while international netball had never been more competitive, the landscape was becoming increasingly complex to navigate and it needed to find ways to sustain and grow the sport.
“We also absolutely need to be proactive about future proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026.
“These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it’s positive news for everyone,” Harold said.
On the introduction of a men’s Netball World Cup, Harold said World Netball would always remain proud of the sport’s female foundations, but “must not be held hostage to them”.
“Our sport is open to all and now feels like the right time to make a clear statement on the men’s game, which is gaining momentum rapidly.
“The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion.”
Harold said WN would continue to collaborate with men’s netball groups to help them realise their dream of seeing an inaugural men’s Netball World Cup in the next few years.
WN is already having initial conversations with members and third parties regarding hosting rights for 2028-2035 with a formal process launching soon.
Last year Netball NZ said it was investigating a potential bid to host the 2031 World Cup.
World Netball told RNZ last year that it was open to events being hosted outside of traditional netball playing regions.
WN has decided to shelve the FAST5 Netball World Series for now.
The International Federation said it will continue to explore any additional opportunities that will benefit the sport, including the introduction of an international club competition.