- Published:
- Monday 31 October 2022
Victoria will further cement its status as Australia’s sporting capital with a ground-breaking new partnership between Netball Australia and the Andrews Labor Government – making our state the number one supporter of the Australian Diamonds.
In a $15 million partnership with Visit Victoria which will run until June 2027, Premier Daniel Andrews today announced the Diamonds will showcase the nation’s sporting capital with branding on their team kit for home and away tests, while players and coaches will be involved in campaigns to promote Victoria as a fantastic tourism destination.
The world’s top-ranked netball team will also play five test matches and hold their high-performance training camps in Victoria between 2023 and 2026.
The 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final will be played in Victoria as part of the deal.
Alongside promoting netball at the elite level, the partnership will deliver community initiatives to encourage grassroots participation in the sport, particularly in culturally diverse communities.
Netball boasts the highest level of participation among young women for any sport in Australia – and as one of the nation’s most popular national teams, the Diamonds are an inspiration for women and girls across all levels of the sport.
The partnership builds on the Labor Government’s significant investments in some of the world’s biggest netball events and facilities – including the sold-out Constellation Cup test where the Diamonds emerged victorious over New Zealand, and the redevelopment of the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Victoria is our nation’s sporting capital and its best tourist destination – it’s only right we launch this new partnership to back elite netball in Australia and promote our state to the world.”
“This partnership isn’t just about elite netballers – we’re proud to be supporting grassroots netball clubs and increasing women’s participation in sport in every corner of the state.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“As we prepare to host the world’s first regional Commonwealth Games in 2026, our ground-breaking partnership with the Diamonds will allow us to further showcase why we do sport better than anywhere else in Australia.”
Quote attributable to Netball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ryan
“Victoria is a proud sporting state, and we are delighted to announce a new partnership with Visit Victoria. The partnership will guarantee Victorians the opportunity to experience more netball across the next four and a half years.”
Quote attributable to Australian Diamonds Captain Liz Watson
“This is a significant partnership for the Origin Australian Diamonds as we prepare to defend our Commonwealth Games gold medal in Victoria in 2026. Visit Victoria is a proud supporter of netball, and this investment will benefit all levels of our game.”