World Netball has not called for expressions of interest yet, but Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie said it was something the national body was looking into.
”That process has not come out for tender yet for 2031 but we’ve certainly had some really encouraging conversations with our government and Sport New Zealand around an interest level for hosting.
”Once those programmes are set and the tender process is open we’ll be able to explore that further,” Wyllie said.
There’s still a huge question mark hanging over the Commonwealth Games, netball’s other pinnacle event.
The Commonwealth Games Federation has been struggling to find a host for the 2026 Games.
The BBC has reported that Malaysia has been asked to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Wyllie said not having certainty over a pinnacle event was unsettling for every sport that participated in the Games.
”You kind of have to work with that in mind but make your own plans and ensure that you are continually having these moments that matter for your sport and reinventing and making sure that you are able to be flexible if they are able to announce a host in the future.
”Playing for Team New Zealand has always been a massive source of pride ...the model for those kinds of multi-sport events has to be reconsidered across the board and it’s important that our sport is represented at that level.”
- RNZ
