Netball Home Nations Team Up For Together We Are Netball Campaign

The governing bodies for netball in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have come together to launch a joint initiative aimed at protecting the sport’s longevity and getting women and girls across the UK active again.  

In a bid to tackle the challenges created for the sport by the coronavirus pandemic, the Home Nations have launched the new #TogetherWeAreNetball campaign to encourage members to renew their membership for the 2020/21 season in a bid to secure the sport’s finances, as well as driving participation when it can safely return. 

According to the Home Nations, the idea was created by Welsh Netball, and is the first time that the four nations have ever collaborated on such a campaign.  

“The netball governing bodies across the UK have been working tirelessly since March to keep the Netball Family safe, informed and engaged,” said Sarah Jones, CEO, Welsh Netball.

“We have worked collaboratively to ensure that our members are able to return to court safely, in line with our return to netball roadmaps and respective Government guidelines. We have consulted our  members, obtained the latest medical and scientific advice and placed an emphasis on regular, clear communication throughout this crisis. 

“This unprecedented challenge has also presented us with a wealth of new digital opportunities, and the Netball Family has united like never before. Plus, thanks to the International Netball Federation and Netball Europe via their COVID-19 relief fund, they have enabled us to bring this collaborative vision to life. Their support and that of our community is vital to protect the future of our game and ensure that we survive and emerge stronger than ever, because #TogetherWeAreNetball.”

Fran Connolly, the CEO of England Netball, added: “To have all four nations coming together in support of this initiative is monumental. It shows what netball is all about and how much this sport matters to us all. None of us could have anticipated the impact COVID-19 would have and the pressures it would put our sport under but we are doing all we can to protect it. 

“By collaborating on this initiative we can tap into each other’s resources, speak to a bigger audience and demonstrate how this sport can connect us all, even during difficult times. At England Netball, we not so long ago launched an individual campaign called #RiseAgain based on membership and  this initiative with the home nations is a great extension of that, bringing not only England based netballers together but the whole of the UK. I hope our members will get behind us in supporting #TogetherWeAreNetball because the future of netball is in their hands.”

Each of the NGBs has highlighted the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the momentum the sport had been building, following the success of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 – which scooped Awards in two categories at the Sport Industry Awards 2020.