Jamaica eyes 2035 Netball World Cup

Netball Jamaica (NJ) President Karen Rosen-Baugh has revealed that the association is targeting a bid to host the 2035 Netball World Cup in Jamaica. Rosen-Baugh made the announcement yesterday after England, one of the Sunshine Girls’ fiercest rivals, were awarded hosting rights for the 2031 tournament.

Jamaica’s first and only hosting of the Netball World Cup came in 2003, when the tournament was staged at the National Indoor Sports Centre. The Sunshine Girls secured the bronze medal at that tournament.

“It is just another thing to work towards, and hopefully, by the next cycle, Jamaica can probably put in a bid for another World Cup. That is the high ideal that we have, but that is to be seen based on our commercial outreach. It is definitely something that we would aspire to,” Rosen-Baugh said.

“We have shown that we can do it because with just one main facility, we have shown that we can host, but it does present some challenges. You have to put two courts inside, so it does require some private-sector, public-sector partnership. Things have changed a lot since 2003, but we still only have that one facility.

“So it would need a very intense effort and partnership for that, but I think it is something that we can do, and it is something that we aspire to, hosting another World Cup in this region and in Jamaica,” she said.

Rosen-Baugh added that she is very happy that England have been selected to stage the 2031 showpiece.

“We were kind of anticipating that it would be them because Australia are hosting the next World Cup in 2027, and after that, in terms of options and countries that have the facilities to host, we thought that it would be England,” Rosen-Baugh said.

“So we are happy for them. We have a continuing partnership with England Netball where we play the Horizon Series every year, so we have been in and out of the UK quite often, so it is a territory that we are accustomed to.”

However, Rosen-Baugh pointed out that Jamaica’s immediate priority is the 2027 World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

“We first focus on winning the World Cup in 2027 in less than a year, and we need to cross that hurdle first,” she said.

“We have shown that we can be at the top, and if we have all the right things in place, we want to come home with a World Cup trophy and hopefully, next year.”

Former NJ president Marva Bernard welcomed England’s selection, pointing to the large Caribbean community in Manchester and the potential financial benefits for Jamaica.

“I am really pleased that the 2031 World Cup will be held on this side of the world and in Manchester too, where we would get a lot of support from the West Indian people living there,” Bernard said.

“Manchester had a lovely arena, and I am sure it is still good The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held there, and they were able to fill every seat. Even when Jamaica played England there, we got good crowds, so it should be a financial success.”

Bernard also stated that participating countries share financial profits from the World Cup, which could benefit Jamaica and other Caribbean teams by reducing the burden of long-distance travel.

“As for Jamaica hosting these prestigious tournaments again, we would need a facility. The National Indoor Sports Centre just cannot hold the crowds that come to World Cups,” she said.

“We would need a facility even before we think of sponsorship, and I know that corporate Jamaica loves these big events, and Jamaica is known for hosting successful events, but we don’t have the venue, and so not having the venue would be a deterrent.”

Bernard underscored that any investment in a new facility should also take into consideration its use beyond the World Cup.

“The Government would have to promise a venue, and I always like to think about beyond the event because beyond the event, it could be a white elephant if we don’t utilise the facility more,” she said.