Preparations for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 (VNWC2023) have stepped up a gear with the famous tournament trophy arriving on South African soil ahead of the highly-anticipated event taking place from the 28th July to 6th August 2023 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
With the VNWC2023 being the first Netball World Cup to take place on the continent of Africa, it was fitting that the trophy arrived into South Africa on Africa Day, 25th May, a day which is celebrated across the whole continent.
The VNWC2023 has always been considered as being more than just about the city of Cape Town and instead one for all of Africa to share, with four of the 16 competing nations African; South Africa, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The trophy is now in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ready to start a far-reaching tour of the country.
???? The wait is over! The 2023 Vitality Netball World Cup Trophy has arrived in South Africa! ???? Let the celebrations begin as we gear up for netball's grandest event ??????#NWC2023 | #PutYourHandsUp pic.twitter.com/qS2tBoTdrj
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 25, 2023
Speaking on the excitement of the trophy tour, Africa Netball and Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane said: “Let it be an African spectacle, showcasing our culture and our uniqueness as South Africa because we are a rainbow nation and to me showing that Africa can do it and women can do it is the most important thing,
“We want to leave a legacy.
“Hosting the Netball World Cup is a first for Africa, so history will be made right here on home soil and right on our doorstep.”
The chairperson of the VNWC2023 Board, Patience Shikwambana, added: “Things are getting so real you can literally touch the trophy.
“What we will see for the next six weeks across the length and breadth of our land is the reality that the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 is finally here.
“It is far bigger than a single city, it’s something for South Africa and Africa to celebrate and enjoy, and participate in.
“It’s a huge step forward for women’s sport in South Africa and we encourage the public to go out and be part of this proud countrywide tour.”
?? The eagle has landed!
— Netball World Cup (@NetballWorldCup) May 25, 2023
Today, on Africa Day, the Netball World Cup arrived in South Africa ahead of a 6-week ‘trophy tour’ of the country??
More information on the tour??https://t.co/fAfnSQ4cke#RoadToCapeTown | #PutYourHandsUp pic.twitter.com/mLMugyUyUJ
The VNWC2023 Trophy Tour will start in KwaZulu-Natal, before moving to Gauteng, and then stopping off in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, before reaching its final destination in the Western Cape.
"The fact that the Netball World Cup Trophy is here signifies how close we are to hosting the global showpiece,” said Molokwane.
“I do not think it is a coincidence that it touched down on our shores on Africa Day, we have always maintained that yes, the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 is hosted in South Africa however, it belongs to the rest of the continent.
“We feel that as it gathers momentum around the country, it will also ramp up interest in the upcoming tournament itself,”
“There has already been overwhelming support for the event, and with the 16 teams taking part also beginning to announce their final squads we can sense the shift in momentum.
"This is something for the entire country, and continent, to experience and be part of."
South Africa ?????? The trophy is finally here ???? #NWC2023 #gsportAfrica #AfricaDay pic.twitter.com/TcxEpLje0M
— gsport4girls (@gsport4girls) May 25, 2023
THE DATES FOR THE TROPHY TOUR:
25-29 May: KwaZulu-Natal
30 May - 3 June: Gauteng
4-8 June: Mpumalanga
9-13 June: Limpopo
14-18 June: Free State
19-23 June: North West
24-28 June: Northern Cape
29 June - 3 July: Eastern Cape
4-12 July: Western Cape