ENGLAND NETBALL SECURES NIKE DEAL

Nike has been confirmed as England Netball’s official supplier and strategic partner in a multi-year partnership covering the elite women’s team.

The agreement will see the sportswear brand design and supply on and off court kit for the Vitality Roses across all international competitions, which will include the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup next summer.

In what’s proving a busy week for England Netball, news of the Nike partnership follows the confirmation that Sky Sports and the BBC are to be the UK broadcast partners for next summer’s Vitality Netball World Cup, taking place at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. The national governing body has also just announced a new two-year partnership with Jaffa which will see the Vitality Roses squad sporting the fruit brand’s logo on match day kit.

Supporters will gain a first look at the Vitality Roses’ new Nike performance kit during the three-match Vitality Netball International Series against Uganda, which takes place between 27th November and 2nd December.

Commenting on joining the Nike family, Joanna Adams, CEO of England Netball said: “This is yet another incredible moment for netball. England Netball and Nike have the shared vision of empowering women and girls in sport and we hope that together we can support the Vitality Roses on their journey to becoming the top-ranked netball team in the world.”

David Carmont, VP/GM, Nike EMEA/West, said: “Netball is one of the most participated female sports in the UK and it’s time to acknowledge athletes playing it. We are committed to using our global voice to elevate netball athletes and inspire girls and women in England to play more.”

In an exclusive interview with Sport Industry Group last month, Adams had already revealed that the governing body for English netball was about to announce such partnerships that were “going to change the face of netball in this country."

Sky Sports will be the host broadcaster for the tournament and will show every game live across its platforms on each day of the tournament. The new agreement with Sky Sports will see the satellite pay-tv broadcaster show every game of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 live across its platforms on each day of the tournament. It will be the fourth World Cup that Sky Sports has hosted since it first began broadcasting live netball in 2006.

The BBC will also show every game free-to-air across its TV and digital channels from day four onwards, until the tournament concludes on the 21st July. During the BBC’s TV coverage of netball from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, 1.5 million tuned in to the netball final in April to see England Roses claim its first ever gold medal, dramatically secured in the final shot of the match against host nation Australia.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports said: “A home Netball World Cup is hugely exciting for netball fans in the UK and we’re delighted to be able to bring fans every single minute of the action, on TV and across our social and digital platforms.

“Netball has gone from strength to strength over the last decade, with Superleague audiences growing and England’s women leading the charge. With a home World Cup to look forward to, we’re certain that’s set to continue.”

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport added: “This new deal reinforces the BBC’s commitment to ensuring top-class women’s sport reaches the widest possible audience.

“We’ve seen the drama and excitement that major competitions can produce with the heroics of the Roses at the Commonwealth Games. We have no doubt that this World Cup will excite viewers across the UK in equal measure.”

The worldwide broadcast rights are expected to be announced by the International Netball Federation at a later date.

Fruit brand Jaffa’s partnership with the Vitality Roses will get underway today at the three-match Vitality Netball International Series against Uganda.

“Jaffa’s aim to encourage people of all ages to live more active and healthier lifestyles mirrors our values and vision here at England Netball. Jaffa’s investment will allow netball to continue to grow at both a grassroots and elite level.” said Jo Sinclair, commercial director at England Netball.