Vitality launch #wearerising campaign to celebrate the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019

• Vitality, title sponsors of the 10-day tournament, is pledging to build a legacy and support grassroots netball coaching across the UK

Vitality, the innovative insurance and investment business, is today launching #WeAreRising, a new campaign which will champion and celebrate the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019, as well as inspire more people to participate in the sport with a pledge to fund grassroots coaches.

Created for the tournament which takes place in Liverpool from 12th – 21st July, Vitality has announced today that for every 100 goals scored during the Vitality Netball World Cup, they will fund for one person to obtain a UKCC Level 1 Assistant Qualification Coaching Certificate through England Netball.

#WeAreRising calls on the UK public to both get involved in the sixteen-team tournament and get behind the sport on social media and at all levels. Goals scored during tournament play and associated activities in the Vitality Netball World Cup fan zone will also count towards the final tally, meaning that international players and supporters can all be a part of the legacy to help grow grassroots netball.

The campaign launched today with three stars of the Vitality Roses, Jade Clarke, Serena Guthrie and Fran Williams, alongside Head Coach Tracey Neville, will provide grassroots netball with support for many years to come and inspire helping more people to get active and involved netball.

Commenting on the announcement, Chrissy Fice, Brand Director at Vitality UK says: “At Vitality we use the power of sport to encourage people to be more active, collaborating with elite athletes, clubs and teams to drive participation at every level. This mantra is no different when it comes to netball, and our title sponsorship of the Vitality Netball World Cup is proof of our ongoing commitment to building and maintaining the future of netball across the UK.”

“I look forward to seeing the nation rise up and support all the teams involved in the tournament, and at Vitality we are actively involved in ensuring success on the court will directly contribute to greater participation in grassroots netball.”

To have a chance of benefitting from Vitality’s pledge and access the funding, members of the public must visit Vitality’s website and submit 100 words on why they want to become a netball coach. Alternatively, Vitality is encouraging people to nominate anyone they think should take their first step on the coaching ladder. Entrants will be picked by Vitality Roses Head Coach Tracey Neville and contacted by Vitality after the Vitality Netball World Cup.

Jo Adams, Chief Executive of England Netball, commented: “Our coaches are vital in helping us deliver this wonderful sport throughout the country and to developing players at a grassroots level. Vitality’s campaign will help us to create a lasting legacy for our sport after the Vitality Netball World Cup comes to end and offers a very unique opportunity for people to begin their coaching journey.

“I’d like to thank Vitality for their ongoing support and for delivering this initiative as we head into the biggest summer of netball ever and encourage any budding coaches to apply now!” Commenting on the announcement, Vitality Roses Head Coach Tracey Neville says: “This is a huge summer for the Vitality Roses as we will be facing the world’s best teams on home soil. We need the support of the nation behind us in July and hope that the Vitality Netball World Cup inspires more people to watch, get involved, coach and play netball. I believe Vitality’s campaign will help us to achieve this.

“Coaching netball is an extremely rewarding career and I would encourage anyone who is interested to jump at this opportunity to get involved.”

The campaign was launched at St Hilda's Church of England High School in Sefton Park, Liverpool, at a media day and netball coaching masterclass.

In addition to being title partner of the Vitality World Cup 2019, Vitality have been a proud partner of the Vitality Netball Superleague and Vitality Netball International Series, for almost four years. A three-year extension of the partnership with England Netball last year was one of the largest deals in women’s sport in the UK to date.

To find out more about Vitality’s coaching pledge and to submit your entry, visit www.vitality.co.uk/wearerising

ENDS