When Jo Weston describes Australian netball's new broadcast partnership with Nine and Stan Sport as a "homecoming," every netball fan knows exactly what she means.
The landmark deal will see all games broadcast live and free in 2027, a development Weston believes will reshape the sport's connection with fans right across the country.
Under the five-year agreement through to 2031, Nine will broadcast every Suncorp Super Netball match and all Australian Diamonds matches across one or more of the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport, and will also showcase the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.
"Having all of our games freely accessible next year is such a momentous occasion," Weston explains. "We want netball to be accessible to our fans and to new fans as well. For us, it’s going to be a really great partnership."
As first whistle of the World Cup approaches, the prospect of the entire nation being able to tune in for free and rally behind the Australian Diamonds is something the players have been quietly anticipating for some time.
"All of us have really been looking forward to a moment like this, especially for the World Cup here in Sydney next year," Weston said. "For the Diamonds, it’s an incredible opportunity. Having all the matches free to watch across Australia is going to be really cool."
All Suncorp Super Netball and Australian Diamonds matches will be broadcast free to air from 2027.
For Weston personally, pulling on the green and gold carries a weight that never diminishes. "Representing your country is such a huge privilege, singing the national anthem is something so special," she said. "Being able to do that in front of all our family and friends, especially our fans who have supported us for so long – it will be a really incredible opportunity and something you can't put into words."
Weston is also enthusiastic about the company netball will be keeping. Nine and Stan Sport boast a formidable roster of sporting properties, and she sees the partnership as a natural fit.
"It’s going to be great to join what is a really phenomenal stable of sports," she said. "I was a big fan of the Winter Olympics, so I think being alongside the talent and production they have is going to be really cool."
But perhaps what Weston is most passionate about is what this deal means for the next generation – young fans who will now see the world's best netballers playing in the world's best netball league on their screens every week.
"When I was younger I loved looking up to the netballers I watched over the weekend, so to be in those shoes now is special," she said. "It’s really exciting for young kids to be able to see us on the TV and aspire to be the best athlete they can be, and hopefully the best netballers they can be too."
With a home World Cup on the horizon and a broadcast platform to match the occasion, welcome home, indeed.
