“We’ve had a lot of people reach out,so there’s a lot of really fabulous proactive conversations that are happening in market at the moment for the sport,which we will continue to discuss . . . with those respective entities.

“However,it was the one with[the] Victorian government that we thought was really strongly aligned with where we want to take this forward as well.”

Alongside promoting netball at the elite level,the partnership will deliver community initiatives to encourage grassroots participation in the sport,particularly in culturally diverse communities.

Andrews said the partnership wasn’t just about elite netballers but also supporting grassroots netball clubs and increasing women’s participation in sport in every corner of the state.

“Victoria is our nation’s sporting capital and its best tourist destination – it’s only right we launch this new partnership to back elite netball in Australia and promote our state to the world,” he said.

Andrews added the Diamonds were great “ambassadors for women and girls” and “for being healthy and active”.

He said “other states wanted this[deal] but Visit Victoria got in”.

“Obviously,there was a sponsor,that sponsor was no more and so there was a gap and Visit Victoria raced to fill it ... It’s a great coup for the sport,but it’s a great coup for all of the content that will come from this,taking our brand[and] all that we have to offer to the rest of our country and indeed to the world.”

Tourism,Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the partnership would help showcase the sport as Victoria prepares to host the world’s first regional Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Diamonds captain Liz Watson,who also plays for Super Netball team the Melbourne Vixens,said the team was excited about the new funding.

“We’re all looking forward to bringing everyone to Victoria,even more incentive to make it to that grand final as a Vixen now I know that it’s going to be in our home state. So,it’s a really exciting time for all of us.”

When asked if the state government was setting a precedent for using taxpayers money to help fund sports if sponsorship deals fall through,Andrews said:“It’s not a matter of precedents … We don’t just set precedents in Victoria,we set the standard for major events. Dua Lipa played last night,Billy Joel is here in a few weeks. So that’s not just sport,it’s about culture.”

Victoria’s shadow treasurer David Davis said the Coalition was “not in the business of ripping up contracts” and would honour the sponsorship deal if it won the November 26 state election.

Davis said the Netball Australia sponsorship was not “undeserved”,but added that “many people will be wondering why Daniel Andrews is able to fund netball,but can’t properly fund essential services such as health and fixing triple-zero”.

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