Netball has a big year ahead of it, with a recent article for Sky Sports noting that the sport has never had a better opportunity to boost its growth and popularity.
Although the big date in England is the World Cup, which will be hosted here in July, there is plenty to look forward to before then and that can help build momentum for the sport.
This month marks the beginning of the Vitality Superleague, when many of England’s star players will be on court with their domestic teams.
Speaking to the news provider, Sara Bayman, director of netball at Loughborough Lightning, said that the rising popularity of the sport off the back of the England team’s Commonwealth Games performance has been important.
“It’s now just getting the platform where people can see it and that’s what the success of the England team is allowing and hopefully will continue to allow,” she stated.
Meanwhile, England netball player Ama Agbeze, who was among the gold-winning team, has told Sky Sports that they need to bring home gold at the forthcoming World Cup.
In an interview with the news provider she commented: “I think for netball in England, netball needs us to get a gold medal too so there’s a lot of pressure but hopefully we’ll just take it in our stride, forget about the pressure, have fun and get ourselves on the podium.”
If the performance of the England netball team, and the prospect of watching some fast-paced action in this year’s Vitality Superleague, has got you longing to get back on the court, find Elmbridge netball classes and get started with a team this year.