Netball World Championships to remain at Waitakere
The finals day of the New World Netball World Championships will remain at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere.
The Netball World Championship Board today confirmed the Waitakere venue after considering a move to the larger Vector
Arena for the Finals Day on 17 November.
The Board considered that the move was not in the best interests of the players nor the event as it posed too many
logistical and operational risks during a world championships.
Staff have spent several weeks working through complex planning, consulting with partners, sponsors and television and
negotiations with Vector Arena. They have also considered the significant additional costs involved in using the Vector
Arena as opposed to Trusts Stadium.
“A full Vector Arena for the Finals Day was an inviting prospect as a showcase for our sport and this country, and it
would have given more New Zealand fans the chance to experience a world championship netball final,” Board chairman Sara
Lunam said.
“However the operational hurdles to move an entire event along with live international television production to a new
venue overnight made it just too risky, with too many compromises.
“Vector Arena is a good venue for a single netball test match but doesn’t suit a world championship netball tournament.
“For instance the Finals Day involves four games and eight teams but there are only two change rooms and no suitable
warm-up facilities. The only opportunity for teams to practice at the venue would be on the day of the semifinals or
finals.
“This is a world championship sporting event and we felt that the players deserve the best operations and support
facilities. Also with the time constraints around access to Vector, there are simply no guarantees that the event would
be up and ready for that first game.”
The decision has been supported by the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).
IFNA had complete confidence in the Board and management of the New World Netball World Championships to make the
correct decision for the sport, said IFNA President, Mrs Molly Rhone.
“IFNA has venue standards which must be met in order to host a championship. IFNA had conducted a review during the New
Zealand-Australia test last month and had raised some concerns. These could not be fully addressed to allow eight teams
to play at Vector on the finals day.”
Netball World Championship organisers said that sales of tickets for round robin play and the opening ceremony were
strong. Approximately 8000 tickets are still available overall for round robin games, the opening ceremony and opening
game on 10 November between New Zealand and Malawi and limited three-day finals packages.
ENDS