- The Constellation Cup is an international netball test series between Australia and New Zealand
- Perth to play host to the third match in the series on 27 October 2024
- Event coincides with Netball WA's centenary as the sport's governing body
The Cook Government is providing Netball WA with $550,000 to host the third in a series of four test matches between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.
The Constellation Cup is an annual highlight of the world netball calendar, with two powerhouse sides - the Australian Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns - having competed for the pride of their countries since 2010.
Each year two matches take place in Australia and two in New Zealand, with rotating host cities.
The Diamonds will take on the Silver Ferns at RAC Arena in Perth at 4pm on 27 October 2024, coinciding with Netball WA's '100 Years of Netball' celebration commemorating the centenary of the organisation as the sport's governing body.
Netball is the highest female participation sport in Australia and Netball WA will be hosting a range of events to celebrate the anniversary.
This comes off the back of fresh interest in the sport at the highest level in Australia. The Diamonds won their 12th World Cup title at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town and a gold medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Australia has won 11 of the past 13 Constellation Cup competitions.
Netball WA will deliver the event with the support of an allocation from the Sport and Recreation Events Funding Program.
Comments attributed to Sports and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"I'm thrilled that Netball WA will celebrate their centenary as netball's governing body in WA by delivering this incredible world class event, and proud that government funding will help make it happen.
"It will give netball fans an opportunity to attend an international competition right here in Perth, and see homegrown talent like Sunday Aryang, Courtney Bruce, Donnell Wallam and Sophie Garbin compete for this important title in front of a home crowd."
As stated by Netball Australia CEO Stacey West:
"We are incredibly excited to host the third match, and the first on Australian soil, of the Constellation Cup at Perth's RAC Arena.
"We thank the Western Australian Government and Netball WA for their investment and support and hope to see a full house of Origin Australian Diamonds fans at RAC Arena."
Comments to be attributed to Netball WA CEO Simone Hansen:
"The Cook Government and the Minister are terrific supporters of West Australian Netball and we cannot wait to see the Origin Australian Diamonds in action at the country's best netball stadium.
"We are very grateful and overjoyed that we have been able to work with the Government, Minister, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Netball Australia to secure this match which will be the perfect way to celebrate the centenary of Netball WA.
"It has been five years since there has been a test match at RAC Arena and we know that the Netball Community and WA sports fans will turn out in their droves for the all-important third test match of the Constellation Cup series."
