Netball World Cup Congratulations

I rise to congratulate Netball Australia and the International Netball Federation on a fabulous netball World Cup, held in Sydney across 10 days with record-breaking crowds watching 16 teams play in absolutely wonderful games. I would like to congratulate all countries, all teams and all associations for the wonderful show. I echo Molly Rhone, President of the INF, in saying that it was the most successful World Cup ever.

I would also like to congratulate coach Lisa Alexander and her team of great Australians, Michelle den Dekker and Margaret Caldow, and the Australia Diamonds team—led by Laura Geitz, along with Julie Corletto, Sharni Layton, Rebecca Bulley, Renae Hallinan, Kim Ravaillion, Kimberlee Green, Paige Hadley, Natalie Medhurst, Caitlin Bassett, Caitlin Thwaites and Erin Bell—on a fabulous tournament. Wonderful netball, great sportsmanship, great courage.

I would finish by saying thank you to everyone who plays, who coaches, who umpires and who administers the sport in every community across this nation. You have created this team. Every person who takes the court created this team. We truly are the netball nation.