Wollongong nets Diamonds international netball game

Image: Australian Diamond Sophie Dwyer with local netballers are pumped that Wollongong will face South Africa's SPAR Proteas at the WEC in October (Image: Netball Australia)

Attention Wollongong’s netball-loving community – this is your time to shine!

Wollongong has been announced as one of three Australian cities to host Australia’s national netball team, the Diamonds, who will face South Africa’s SPAR Proteas in a three-match series.

The game in Wollongong will be played at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 8 October 2025.

“It’s time to put on the green and gold and get behind our world number ones as they show the SPAR Proteas why they’re the best,’’ Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.

“This is a huge coup for Wollongong and comes as we’re preparing to welcome the world’s elite triathletes to the city for the World Triathlon Championship Finals and as we’re enjoying the recognition late last month by the UCI when we won the prestigious UCI Bike City Award for our Community Partners Program.

“We have a clear focus in our city to seek and welcome opportunities that bring a wide range of world-class sporting events to our doorstep and we know this one will be something that’ll make our resident netballers very happy.’’

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said the city had a passionate netball community and Council continued to focus on delivering top-notch infrastructure to support their play.

“Netball is huge in our community – you only have to go to Fred Finch Park in Berkeley on a weekend and there can be more than 4,000 players playing on the courts across two days,’’ he said.

“It’s the city’s third most popular sport in terms of participation. Council has invested significantly in netball sporting infrastructure Fred Finch Park over the past two years bringing the facility up to a standard where we’re able to host – and have hosted – State and representative games.

“We will continue this focus on investment in sporting infrastructure moving forward to support young players who want a pathway into elite sports, as well as those who love the social, physical and recreational attractions of being part of a local team.’’