Thursday, 20 July 2023 – Australia return to Cape Town ahead of the Netball World Cup 2023 (NWC2023) with fond memories of their last trip to the spectacular city.
The Diamonds cleaned up at the Netball Quad Series held at the same venue as this month’s NWC2023 – the Cape Town International Convention Centre – earlier this year.
Comfortable wins in all their matches, against England, New Zealand, and South Africa, saw World Netball’s top-ranked side walk away with a record seventh Quad Series title.
“We were very lucky to experience Cape Town back in January at the Quad Series,” said Australian captain Liz Watson.
“There was such a buzz and excitement around the town for netball then, so to bring the biggest netball event back there is super exciting.
“The crowds in Cape Town were amazing!”
The Aussie Diamonds are certainly geared up to wow the South African crowds, having dominated the sport since narrowly losing to New Zealand by just one goal at the last Netball World Cup in Liverpool four years ago.
“The 2019 World Cup was so devastating to come so close,” said Watson.
I know how hard this squad and the coaches have worked across the last few years.”
Speaking about what has given her side the edge over their opposition in recent years, including at last year’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games where they claimed the gold medal, the captain explained: “[I think it’s] our squad mentality.teams from each qualifier will be invited by World Netball to compete at the NWC.
The NWC, which first started in 1963, showcases netball around the world through a range of broadcast partners introducing Netball to a whole new audience.
World Netball Congress is also held alongside the event providing a global forum for Netball nations to come together, innovate, share ideas and celebrate women in sport.
The Netball World Cup 2023 will be held in Cape Town, South Africa from the 28th July to the 6th August 2023 at the International Convention Centre.
For more information visit www.worldnetball.sport
Having played the sport for the first time when she was 12, the 29-year-old has not lost any of the enthusiasm she felt back then.
“I’ve always loved team sport and being able to play with your friends – and that hasn’t changed at this level,” she said.
“To play for your country is the highest honour and privilege. Nothing beats standing on that transverse line, arm in arm, singing the national anthem.”
Australia will begin their quest for a record-extending 12th Netball World Cup title against Zimbabwe on 28th July before taking on Tonga on 29th July and then Fiji a day later.
“We’re not feeling the pressure, more just excitement. We have confidence in this team and all the hard work that this group has done to get here,” concluded Watson.
Liz Ellis Diamond award as the best
Australian netballer of the year on two occasions – in 2018 and 2022.
Details on tickets and travel packages and more information on the NWC2023 which runs from
28th July to 6th August, are all available on the official tournament website
(www.nwc2023.org.za) with a range of tickets and packages still available.
Image:
Caption: Pictured is Liz Watson of Australia in action at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Picture Credit: World Netball
World Netball:
World Netball is the sole, internationally recognized governing body for netball affiliated to the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), receiving funding from the International Olympic Committee.
World Netball creates a better world through netball, inspiring netballers to embrace opportunities and achieve their potential. Netball is played in more than 100 countries around the world with 79 National Netball Associations affiliated to World Netball. The associations are grouped into five Regions – Africa Netball, Americas Netball, Asia Netball, Europe Netball and Oceania Netball – each with a respective Regional Federation. Regional Federations are an integral part of the global governance structure and assist in the development and implementation of World Netball’s Strategy To Grow, To Play, To Inspire, policies and the development of the sport in their respective regions.
The Netball World Cup (NWC), previously known as the World Netball Championships is netball’s flagship event owned by World Netball, and it brings together the top 16 teams in the world every four years. The hosts of the NWC automatically qualify for the competition, as well as the top five teams in the World Netball World Rankings on the date of qualification.
The remaining 10 teams are decided through qualifiers in World Netball’s 5 regions, as the top two teams from each qualifier will be invited by World Netball to compete at the NWC.
The NWC, which first started in 1963, showcases netball around the world through a range of broadcast partners introducing Netball to a whole new audience.
World Netball Congress is also held alongside the event providing a global forum for Netball nations to come together, innovate, share ideas and celebrate women in sport.
The Netball World Cup 2023 will be held in Cape Town, South Africa from the 28th July to the 6th August 2023 at the International Convention Centre.
For more information visit www.worldnetball.sport
