The Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 was enjoyed by thousands all over the country, including by some very familiar faces…
Netball is never short of supporters, and the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 brought many new fans to the game – including some celebrities! The thrill and spectacle of such a pinnacle event saw everyone from footballers and comedians to TV stars and singers attending games or showing their support for the sport.
For those of us already big fans, we weren’t surprised to see netball capturing the hearts and minds of the country but it was wonderful to see the event reaching new audiences. A host of new fans was thanks in no small part to the Sport Relief match. Shown on BBC2, it saw the likes of Denise Lewis, Katherine Grainger and Sally Phillips among others battle it out against each other, to incredible and often hilarious effect.
As Miranda Hart said at the time: “This is going to be a hoot” – and she wasn’t wrong!
Sport Relief All Star Netball Match. This is going to be a hoot. Tomorrow BBC 2 7pm. I believe my ‘Stevie’ and my ‘Tilly’ might be bobbing about on court. What have you done to make yourselves proud girls – potentially embarrassed yourself in front of the nation. (Rude) https://t.co/64QtJ4N114
— Miranda Hart (@mermhart) July 19, 2019
Helped by star netballers including Ama Agbeze and Sasha Corbin, the teams, captained by Jennifer Saunders and Oti Mabuse, brought a showdown to the courts – who can forget Jennifer Saunders’ underarm long bomb goal that brought the house down and earned her massive open-mouthed kudos from George Fisher?!
Absolutely Fabulous! 😉
We reckon Jennifer Saunders will never get sick of watching this.
“I’ve never seen anything like it!” @sportrelief All-Stars Netball | @BBCTwo | Tonight, 7pm @ferrifrump #BBCNetball #SportReliefNetball pic.twitter.com/qBaWJi6kXj
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 20, 2019
As the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 progressed, more and more celebrities were getting the netball bug, with Tottenham Hotspur footballer Eric Dier wishing the Vitality Roses good luck and sending Jo Harten congratulations for 100 caps.
🤯 When you win your 100th cap AND get a personal message from @SpursOfficial's @ericdier!
We've got a ticket with your name on it, Eric 🎟️#ItsUsItsNow #RosesRISING pic.twitter.com/9O0TpUpltc
— England Netball (at 🏡) (@EnglandNetball) July 13, 2019
The Lionesses also sent their support and a good luck message… complete with some epic singing!
A huge GOOD LUCK to @EnglandNetball today as they begin their @NetballWorldCup campaign!
We'll all be watching 🤩👏 pic.twitter.com/aZJ06r30ea
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 12, 2019
Many sportspeople were out in force in Liverpool, with hockey gold medallist Samantha Quek trying her hand at shooting in the Fan Park (impressive look-away shot, Samantha!), and Phil Neville looking very excited to spot his sister Tracey as she coached the Roses.
When @EnglandNetball are in #Liverpool, you have to try the Bobby Firmino no look shot…
First time…BOOM! 💥 #LFC #YNWA #NetballWorldCup #RedRoses pic.twitter.com/hCBdHjYSpz
— Samantha Quek (@SamanthaQuek) July 15, 2019
👋 HEY SIS 👋
When you spot @TraceyNev heading off court to give her half-time @EnglandNetball team talk… #RiseWithUs #NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MJoafVxqHB
— Sky Sports Netball (@SkyNetball) July 14, 2019
The excitement of her first live international netball match didn’t escape former England football goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, who took her daughter along to watch the games.
“Loving our first netball outing!” she said, revealing that her daughter went to bed in her Netball World Cup dress! And she summed it up perfectly with three simple words: “Best day ever.”
Best day ever @EnglandNetball . Went to bed in her @NetballWorldCup dress! Thanks to @carolinebarker @TongueTT for a fabulous evening #NetballWorldCup #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/6ccJBAkZpm
— Rachel Brown-Finnis (@rach_brown1) July 15, 2019
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Written by Lucy Higgins
