Sky and BBC to give NI’s world bid live treatment

NORTHERN Ireland’s Vitality Netball World Cup quest next July will be live on the BBC and Sky Sports after the two broadcasters were confirmed as UK partners of the event.

The tournament, which runs from July 12-21 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, will have Sky Sports as the host broadcaster, which means they will show every single game of the tournament live across their various platforms.

Having made netball an integral part of coverage, this will be the fourth World Cup broadcast by Sky Sports since their first in 2007.

It also continues their strong partnership with the sport that has seen them broadcast all of England’s Quad Series internationals and the Vitality Superleague, with viewing figures doubling over the course of the last year.

The BBC will show every game free-to-air from day four onwards across TV and digital platforms as part of its deal with World Cup organisers, and it will be their first World Cup.

During the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the BBC’s netball coverage reached five million people, while 1.5 million tuned in to watch the England Roses win gold this year against Australia.

The broadcaster also showed Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers in the build-up to next year’s tournament, as well as those involving Wales and Scotland, while England’s Quad Series game against New Zealand was also shown live.

Captain Caroline O’Hanlon and her Northern Ireland team will be hoping for a strong showing in Liverpool, and recently hired former Australia men’s captain Dan Ryan as their new head coach.

This is a particular boost to the sport, with fans across the UK able to watch the games, which will provide increased exposure for the game.

World Cup chair Nicky Dunn OBE said: “We are delighted to confirm Sky Sports and BBC as UK broadcast partners for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 as we build momentum towards the tournament.

“We are pleased to be working with broadcast partners who are passionate about women’s sport and look forward to working together to showcase netball and the Vitality Netball World Cup to new and existing audiences, with high-quality and engaging coverage throughout the event.”

Barney Francis, the managing director of Sky Sports, added: “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 minute of the action, on TV and across our social and digital platforms.”

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: “We’re extremely proud to be the free-to-air broadcast partner for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019. This new deal reinforces the BBC’s commitment to ensuring top-class women’s sport reaches the widest possible audience.”

Showcase: Northern Ireland captain Caroline O’Hanlon