Interstate teams to relocate to Queensland for Super Netball competition

Queensland will host at least the majority of the condensed 2020 Super Netball competition with all interstate teams to relocate before the competition’s planned start date on 1st August.

All six interstate teams from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth will start arriving in Queensland from today under strict COVIDSafe plans.

Victoria’s two teams, Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood, are flying north on Sunday and will be joined, at least temporarily, by teams from NSW, South Australia and Western Australia.

Super Netball officials announced games, including the finals series, will be played in south-east Queensland at the Nissan Arena in Brisbane, the University of the Sunshine Coast Stadium as well as in Cairns, Townsville and on the Gold Coast.

The eight-team competition will consist of 14 rounds and a normal finals series will be played in a condensed format, which will include mid-week matches.

The first phase of fixture will be announced this week with the Victorian teams, who will quarantine for 14 days, set for 1st August.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the hosting is a “great coup" for the state, advising today “it is going to be a netball bonanza.”

Commenting on quarantine and testing for players, she added “they have a very strict COVIDSafe industry plan, approved by the Chief Health Officer (and) I have no doubt … that the women will follow these plans very strictly."

Suncorp Super Netball Chief Executive, Chris Symington said the governing body was thankful to have the Queensland government’s backing.

Symington advised “this support from the Queensland government will ensure we’re able to deliver a full 60-match season of the world’s best netball to fans all over Australia and the world, so we thank them immensely for their support and for accommodating the entire league.

“With less than two weeks until the first centre pass of the season, the excitement across the league and within our fan base is palpable and we’re looking forward to getting the 2020 season underway.

“We’re also thrilled that loyal fans across the country will be rewarded with home games and the chance to see their teams live at their local stadium. These games will, however, be subject to the latest border restrictions and health advice.

“We understand the sacrifice our athletes, supports staff and umpires will be making by relocating to Queensland for an extended period of time and we will be putting the necessary structures and processes in place to ensure they are all adequately supported during this time.”

Super Netball officials are hopeful that there still may be some home games for non-Queensland clubs based on border restrictions and the latest health advice.

Queensland is also hosting AFL teams with the Premier Palaszczuk wanting the state to be considered to host the AFL grand final.

Image: Action from the 2019 Suncorp Super Netball final.