Netball stars step up to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for start of Netball World Cup

Today marks the official start of the 16th Netball World Cup. Held in Australia for the first time in 24 years, we were honoured to host former World Champions and previous rivals Liz Ellis (AUS) and Irene van Dyk (NZ), as they raised the Cup atop an Australian icon to celebrate the tournament’s launch.

Joining Liz and Irene were seven young players from Mosman Netball Club, who were ecstatic to follow in the footsteps of their heroes as they ascended the steel arches of the Bridge to the summit. The girls certainly looked the part, wearing specially-attached netball bibs in their team colours and temporary flag tattoos on their cheeks representing each of the 16 nations competing for the Cup: Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi, South Africa, Wales, Scotland, Fiji, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Zambia.

This year will see teams battle it out over 10 action-packed days at Sydney Olympic Park, with the Australian Diamonds eager to defend their 2011 narrow victory over the New Zealand Ferns.

The group took some time out at the top to enjoy the 360 degree views of the harbour and city on a glorious Sydney winter’s day.