Commentators turn competitors in the name of charity

They may be friends from the sidelines, but Network Ten and ONE commentators Luke Darcy and Liz Ellis will become fierce competitors on the netball court come Sunday June 21 in the Netball’s Festival of Stars Celebrity match.

Airing on Channel Ten from 1.30pm* the event will raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and Beyondblue. The netball match will be played as a curtain raiser to the ANZ Championship match between the NSW Swifts and West Coast Fever at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
Representing the NBCF, captain Liz Ellis will be dusting off her netball shoes and returning to the court for the first time since retiring from the sport after the 2007 World Netball Championships. Her first recruit in the Pink team, is radio presenter and media personality Adam Spencer. Next on the Ellis team is former Australian rugby union footballer and arguably the most successful captain in the history of Australian Rugby, John Eales. Seven-time Surfing World Champion Layne Beachley will also join Liz on the netball court along with Channel Ten broadcaster Bill Woods.

Fancying himself as a damaging goal attack, Luke Darcy will be hoping his skills that made him an AFL champion can be transferred to the netball court. Wearing the Beyondblue colours, Luke has named his first teammate, ABC presenter and comedian Wil Anderson. Luke has also recruited his former Western Bulldogs teammate Chris Grant. Pint size Olympic silver medalist Melissa Wu is also set to dive into the netball action along with INXS member Kirk Pengilly. Pengilly’s announcement sets up an anticipated match-up with his fiancé, Beachley.

If you are lucky enough to have a ticket to the sold out match, get along to the game when gates open at 11:30am for the Celebrity match, starting at 12pm. With plenty of entertainment including face painting, live music and giveaways for the fans this is set to be a festival and celebration of netball.
If you haven’t got a ticket to the game, make sure you switch on to Channel Ten from 1:30pm to watch the full Netball’s Festival of Stars celebrity match thanks to telecast partners ANZ and Holden.

*Please note the Netball’s Festival of Stars match is only available for Australian residents to view on Network Ten with replays on ONE.