The inaugural Australian Netball Championships will land in Traralgon this August, launching a new-look pathway competition for emerging national talent.
The championships will be fought out between 10 teams from state and territory member organisations and Suncorp Super Netball League clubs between August 22 – 28.
Latrobe City Council in partnership with the Collingwood Magpies will host the tournament-style event at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon.
The event will be the first of its kind after being postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and replaces the Australian Netball League to provide a key transition pathway for athletes to the world’s best netball league, the Suncorp Super Netball.
The confirmed teams that will compete in the inaugural championships include the Collingwood Magpies, Tasmania, Capital Darters, Queensland Sapphires, Victorian Fury, GIANTS Academy, QBE Swifts Academy, West Coast Fever Reserves, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Southern Force.
Netball Australia Executive General Manager of Performance Stacey West expressed her excitement to see the championships come to fruition.
“It has been a long time coming to see this new addition to our national pathway,” West said.
“The event aims to bring together all of Australia’s emerging netball talent, including athletes, coaches, umpires and officials, for talent identification and development.
“We can’t wait to see the caliber of these 10 competing teams and their selected athletes put on display in August."
Mayor of Latrobe City Cr Kellie O’Callaghan said, “Latrobe City Council is looking forward to welcoming some of Australia’s most talented and upcoming netballers to the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium for this first of its kind event.
“Our community and visitors to our region will jump at the chance to watch and be inspired by elite level netball.”
