Netball NI outlines new strategy to break into world’s top eight

Called Strongest Together, reflecting the hashtag the Warriors team has used in recent years, the plan also sets challenging targets in relation to growing participation, developing a vibrant domestic game and enhancing performance pathways.

The girls in green reached an all-time high of eighth in the rankings in late 2017 after qualifying for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and winning silver medals at the European Championships in Cardiff.

Despite having a smaller player pool and less resources than most competing countries, Northern Ireland have repeatedly punched above their weight at international level and Dan Ryan’s Warriors finished a respectable 10th at last summer’s World Cup in Liverpool.

Their placing would have been higher but for two agonisingly narrow defeats and Netball NI is determined that the national team will continue to dine at the sport’s top table, including qualifying for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 World Cup in South Africa.

Speaking at a virtual launch attended by the Chair and Chief Executives of the International Netball Federation (INF) and Netball Europe, Netball NI Executive manager Karen Rollo admitted the plan reflects how the bar has been raised on and off the court in recent years.

“We have experienced growth in all aspects of our business and showcased our ability to compete on the world stage, and our expectations have changed considerably over a short number of years,” she said.

“Now we expect our Warriors to win against strong teams and, likewise, within Netball NI we expect a quality workforce to deliver our sport in a professional way to the ever increasing number of participants, support a thriving domestic game and stage excellent events.

“Strongest Together has become a well-used hashtag in relation to the Warriors team and it was a natural name for our new strategy as strong relationships and collaboration between Netball NI, our members, stakeholders and partners are crucially important.”

Netball NI Chair Geoff Wilson explained that the Strongest Together strategic plan was the product of extensive consultation involving the board, staff, members, clubs, schools, officials, Sport NI and other funders, commercial partners and the media, with input also sought from the INF and Netball Europe.

“We consulted widely over 12 months and this is a plan for netball in Northern Ireland, not just Netball NI. Our mission is to develop and grow netball here to achieve our vision of having a Top 8 national team, supported by a strong school, club and league foundation,” he said.

“Our goals are to excel in the business of sport, to grow participation, transform domestic competition and develop enhanced performance pathways. This is an ambitious strategic plan and the responsibility to deliver on it is both exciting and challenging.

“It has been developed in uncertain times with the backdrop of the pandemic, but we must take this opportunity to drive Northern Ireland netball forward, develop our people and provide an engaging, sustainable sport, accessible to everyone.

“As we strive to deliver this plan with the support of our staff, volunteers, stakeholders and partners, everything we do will aim to reflect Netball NI’s core values of respect, equality, accountability, excellence, passion, integrity and a team-first approach.”