Representatives from England Netball and Manchester City Council came together yesterday to present the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) with their bid to host the World Netball Championships in 2015.

If successful the event would take place at the Manchester Evening News Arena in July of 2015 to make it the third time England has hosted the competition.

Paul Clark, the Chief Executive Officer for England Netball, presented the bid to Urvasi Naidoo, IFNA’s Chief Executive Officer.

He said: “To host a World Championships is special for everyone involved.

“Our aim is to deliver a world class event that is recognised as the best ever Championships and provides legacy opportunities that will enhance the provision of community and performance netball in this country, especially as it follows the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.”

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The World Netball Championship is the most coveted title within the sport and sees 16 international teams competing over a period of eight days.

Reigning champions, Australia, have won the title nine times and England’s highest achievement to date is coming second in 1975 when the competition was held in Auckland, New Zealand.

Simon Morton, Head of Major Events at UK Sport, said: “We are delighted to be supporting England Netball’s bid to host the World Netball Championships in Manchester in 2015.

“Bringing world class sporting events to the UK not only benefits the athletes, officials and the local economy but also provides spectators with the chance to see world class sporting action on their doorstep.”

Supporting the submission was England and Northern Thunder Netball Superleague star Sara Bayman who was also joined by her Northern Thunder team mate Rachel Henry. The two players were said to be “excited” and “have everything crossed” that the bid is successful.

The players were joined in their excitement by South Manchester’s St John’s Primary School’s netball team who were invited by Helen Davies, England Netball’s Netball Development Officer for Manchester, to show their support for the bid.

On hearing of the bid, Netball star Tracey Neville, who has played for England over 70 times, said: “To host the World Netball Championships in Manchester would be an unbelievable opportunity for not only the city but for netball as a sport.

“Manchester is a place where success in sport is like breathing, a necessity that we all take for granted but keeps the city alive and the rewards are evident when we look at the talented athletes across all sports.”

Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have also expressed an interest in hosting the 2015 Championships.

IFNA will announce its decision next July to coincide with the World Netball Championships 2011 taking place in Singapore.

Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine