Netball Australia has this week announced that the 2020 Deakin University Australian Netball League (DUANL) season had been cancelled.
The DUANL is Netball Australia’s feeder competition into Suncorp Super Netball and is a key development pathway for the next generation of elite netballers, umpires, officials and administrators.
The season was set to begin in line with the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season but was postponed due to COVID-19.
The 2020 DUANL season was going to mark the inaugural season for the newly branded GIANTS Netball Academy team.
Former GIANTS Netballer and current GIANTS Netball Academy Head Coach Bec Bulley was disappointed to hear that the season had been cancelled but understands the new environment that sporting competitions are currently in.
“It’s such a shame to hear that the season is not going ahead this year as it is an important development opportunity for up-and-coming netballers across Australia,” she said.
“There are some very exciting and talented players in our group, so it would have been great to see them test their skills against players from across the country.
“Should an alternative opportunity arise this year, I would love to see these players be given the chance to represent the GIANTS Netball Academy and showcase their ability to national selectors and SSN coaches.”
The GIANTS Netball Academy has kept their athletes engaged and united during the shutdown period.
“They have all been extremely dedicated and resourceful in their approach to training during this isolation period and I really commend them on this as it’s not been easy,” said Bulley.
“Training has included strength and conditioning sessions, agility and ball work, along with some face to face meetings via Zoom.”
“We are not sure what the rest of the year will look like at this stage, but we are certainly committed to supporting our athletes as much as possible moving forward.”
Subject to Government approval, Netball NSW’s Origin Energy Premier League competition will be more important than ever, as it will now be the underpinning competition of Suncorp Super Netball in New South Wales.
