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World Netball Championships To Take Place In Auckland

Infonews Editor

Friday 2 March 2007, 9:21AM

By Infonews Editor

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AUCKLAND

28 February 2007 - The International Netball Federation Limited (IFNA) today has confirmed that the World Netball Championships will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, this November.

As joint broadcast rights holders, SKY Television and TVNZ will broadcast the Championships when they commence on 10th November through to their conclusion on the 17th November. The Championships were originally scheduled to take place this July in Suva, Fiji.

Host broadcaster, SKY Television will provide LIVE coverage of 32 games, and the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as a nightly primetime highlights programme.

TVNZ will also broadcast the tournament on TV ONE, with a particular focus on live coverage of New Zealand world champions the Silver Ferns, as well as live highlights of other matches.
SKY’s CEO, John Fellet, says “SKY is very pleased to acquire the rights to this event. We recognise that there is huge interest in netball throughout the country and holding ‘The 2007 World Netball Championships’ here in New Zealand, home of the world champions, will no doubt heighten interest in this prestigious event. Furthermore, shifting the event to November complements the current sporting calendar and allows us to maximise our coverage.”

TVNZ’s CEO, Rick Ellis says, “We are delighted to be part of what will be extensive coverage across many platforms, in keeping with the status of this event in the minds of New Zealanders”.

President of IFNA, Molly Rhone says, "We are delighted to announce SKY TV as the host broadcaster and territory rights holder for New Zealand for Netball's premiere world event. This relationship with SKY is a new and significant step for the sport globally, and will add a different dimension to the coverage in New Zealand of the 2007 World Championships.

“We realise the immense popularity of netball in New Zealand and are excited about working with SKY and TVNZ to deliver an excellent broadcasting product to the New Zealand domestic market and to the growing international audiences," continues Mrs Rhone.

The 2007 World Netball Championships will take place in Auckland, New Zealand from 10th – 17th November at The Trusts Stadium in Waitakere City.