After one of the best years for netball to date, 2019 had us on top of the world as fan numbers soared and more and more people of all ages took up the game. This was all thanks to an epic Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool. As 2020 came around we only expected netball to continue its enormous growth until the global pandemic took sport to a complete stand still. One thing we can say is that this year has proved just how important sport is in our lives. As 2020 comes to an end, we can look back on some amazing netball moments throughout the storm we have all been through.
Vitality Netball Nations Cup 19th - 26th January
2020 kicked off with the Vitality Nations Cup in January where England, Jamaica, New Zealand and South Africa competed in an epic tournament hosted in England. In a gripping final, New Zealand Silver Ferns came out on top beating the Jamaica Sunshine Girls 67-56 at the Copper Box Arena.
Bushfire Relief Match
On Sunday 1st March the Suncorp Super Netball All Stars played Australian Diamonds at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney to raise money for netball communities across Australia affected by the bushfires. Gilbert Netball Ambassador and NSW Swifts player Helen Housby took her place in the Suncorp Super Netball All Stars team who lost out after an exciting game 53-66.
ANZ Premiership
After an amazing season, Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse retained their title and were crowned ANZ Premiership Champions with a 43-31 victory over The Good Oil Tactix on 23rd August.
Sports Industry Awards
The Sports Industry Awards are the largest commercial sport awards in the world and on Thursday 3rd September they revealed the amazing news that The Vitality netball World Cup 2019 had won sports event of the year.
Suncorp Super Netball Final
The Australian Suncorp Super Netball Final took place on 18th October at the Nissan Arena where Melbourne Vixens played West Coast Fever. With 90 seconds to go the scores were locked and sharp shooting from Mwai Kumwenda and impressive defensive gave the Melbourne Vixens the edge with a final score of 66-64, their first grand final win since 2014.
Cadbury Netball Series
After a long break from International netball for England, everyone was excited to watch the Vitality Roses battle it out against New Zealand's Silver Ferns in a three part test series at the end of October in the Cadbury Netball Series. After an incredible performance by England it wasn't enough to secure them a win and the Silver Ferns took the trophy.
Ambassador Announcement
At Gilbert Netball we were proud to announce the signing of three new ambassadors. Jamaica's Adean Thomas and Malysha Kelly and Zimbabwe's Felisitus Kwangwa have joined the family and we are excited for what the next two years bring.
SPAR Proteas v Malawi
International Netball returned in Africa where we saw SPAR Proteas take on the Malawi Queens in a thrilling three part series. After a strong performance by South Africa, they took all three games finishing off with a 69-28 win at the Superbowl in Sun City.
Finally, England Netball announced that the Vitality Roses will be taking on the Jamaica Sunshine Girls in an exciting 4 part test series in January 2021!
Bring on the new year!
