England Netball, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, UK Sport and ACC Liverpool has today submitted a bid to the International Netball Federation [INF] to host the Netball World Cup 2019.
The bid forms part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, an ambitious programme investing over £40million of National Lottery funding to bring up to 100 of the world’s most prestigious sporting events to the UK by 2023.
At the heart of the bid is the stunning ACC Liverpool complex, located on a single World Heritage waterfront site, and includes the 8,300 capacity Echo Arena, Exhibition Centre, and BT Convention Centre. The new four-star Pullman hotel, also located on the ACC Liverpool site, would be the official INF event hotel helping to deliver the most seamless and athlete-centred Netball World Cup ever.
Chairman of England Netball Cheryl Danson OBE, Assistant Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Wendy Simon, Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool and Emma Cowley, UK Sport Major Events Consultant today presented Clare Briegal, Chief Executive Officer of the INF, with England Netball’s bid application to host the Netball World Cup 2019.
Liz Nichol, Chief Executive of UK Sport and a former Chief Executive of England Netball, said: “UK Sport is delighted to support England Netball’s bid for the Netball World Cup 2019 through its Gold Event Series. Netball in England is thriving with unprecedented growth in participation, support from sponsors and exposure in the media. Add to this the UK Government’s commitment to promoting women’s sport, and I really do believe that Liverpool can provide the perfect platform to help the International Netball Federation develop and grow the sport, not just in England but globally.
“With access to the UK’s huge 'Be Inspired' ticketing database inherited from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we can also guarantee the arena will be full of passionate and knowledgeable fans. The UK is building a global reputation for staging outstanding major sporting events with its compelling mix of world class facilities, great infrastructure and technical know-how as well as its army of experienced volunteers. I am convinced we can deliver a remarkable tournament in 2019 that will galvanise the growth of netball and positively enhance perceptions of women’s sport in the UK and beyond.”
Launching the bid, England Netball Chairman Cheryl Danson OBE said: “Liverpool is an iconic city immersed in sport and, with its global reputation and warm welcome, would be the perfect host to showcase the Netball World Cup 2019 to the world. Through ACC Liverpool we are able to offer the INF a wonderful single site venue that includes the competition arena, training venue, INF Congress venue and event hotel. All these facilities are interlinked and situated on a World Heritage waterfront site, perfectly located to deliver the most seamless and athlete centred Netball World Cup ever.
“To ensure a lasting impact from the INF’s flagship event, we want to create a step change in knowledge transfer that supports the INF in its ambition to develop the game world-wide. Within our bid we have a budget to support emerging nation delegates coming to Liverpool to attend INF Congress, be part of the tournament observer programme and exchange ideas to develop the sport at every level. What’s more, our commercial offer to the INF to host the Netball World Cup is strong, all underpinned by the British Government through UK Sport.”
Roberto Martinez, Manager of Everton Football Club also offered his support to the Liverpool bid saying: "Sport is the lifeblood of this city and creates passion among its people whatever their team, or activity, or league. Whilst the world may be currently tuned into the World Cup, we must remember the importance of all sports in encouraging support and participation both now and as a lasting legacy. I have no doubt that Liverpool would do netball proud if the Netball World Cup was held in the city. "
Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool added: “Liverpool has a deep commitment to netball. We hosted the FastNet in 2010 and 2011 and recently signed a ground-breaking 10 year agreement with England Netball to stage its major events up to 2024. We now want to take this to the next level by hosting a very special Netball World Cup. One of our assets is our people and with a huge and diverse regional population of seven million, every competing athlete is assured a home welcome. What’s more, with two airports within 45 minutes of the City, and located just two hours by train from London, teams and fans have many options to get to Liverpool.
“Drawing on the unique history and iconic status of Liverpool, and as a former European Capital of Culture, we are also uniquely placed to work with the INF to create a stunning opening ceremony that will further boost the profile of the Netball World Cup. And with our piazza setting, the tournament will come alive both inside and outside ACC Liverpool.”