The GIANTS will headline their 2024 pre-season campaign with a trip to the New South Wales’ Riverina region.
The three-day trip, set for the first weekend in March, will mark the first time the club has visited the region, with exhibition matches set to be played in both Wagga Wagga and Griffith.
The history-making visit to the region will be further enhanced with the GIANTS set to host Suncorp Super Netball’s newest team, the Melbourne Mavericks for the first time.
Both teams will be eager for the on-court opportunity as they prepare for the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season, beginning on April 13.
The Wagga Wagga Multi-Purpose Stadium will host the first of the two matches on the evening on Friday, March 1.
Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in New South Wales and is home to over 1600 netball participants.
The vibrant regional centre sits on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River and is the perfect base to discover a delicious food and wine scene, wonderful galleries, tranquil riverbank walks, gorgeous gardens and parks and fascinating heritage.
The Griffith Regional Sports Centre will host the second of the two matches on Sunday, with the NSW Men’s Netball team also set to participate in a curtain raiser.
A cultural oasis in the heart of regional NSW, Griffith is one of the most vibrant cosmopolitan centres. Known for its amazing food and wine, as well as outstanding local experiences, Griffith is sure to be a town on the GIANTS’ fans bucket lists.
Alongside the on-court action, the GIANTS will also participate in array of community activity.
GIANTS Netball Executive General Manager, Tim Underwood, said the club is looking forward to visiting the region.
“After an overwhelming reception when Julie [Fitzgerald] and Maddie [Hay] visited last year for the opening of the Griffith Regional Sports Centre we knew we had to come back and play”
“We’ve never played a game in the Riverina region before but it’s home to a passionate netball community and we can’t wait to partner with the Griffith Netball Association, Griffith City Council and Wagga Wagga City Council to deliver a fantastic GIANTS Netball game day experience.
“As a club built upon a community ethos, any opportunity we get to take our game beyond metropolitan Sydney we embrace. There will be multiple chances to meet and interact with our GIANTS players and coaching staff, as well as the opportunity to get a first look at our new-look team that will represent us in the upcoming Suncorp Super Netball season.”
“We hope all members of the Wagga Wagga and Griffith communities can join us for what is sure to be a great weekend.”
For Griffith Netball Association President Sandra Woolnough it’s a chance for young netballers to meet and watch their heroes.
“We are so excited to have the GIANTS come to town. We are such a strong netball community and the opportunity for our players and officials, of all ages, to see what they can be is priceless.
I also want to acknowledge the support we’ve received from Griffith City Council, not only for this visit, but without the recently opened Griffith Regional Sports Centre we wouldn’t have had facility that is fit for elite sport.
We are working with the GIANTS on a schedule of activities giving the community a chance to engage with the players which we will announce shortly. In the meantime, make sure you get your tickets when they go on-sale as we know they will go very quickly.”
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout is thrilled the city has been able to secure one of the pre-season games.
“Being able to draw this calibre of competition to our city reflects our ability to host this level of sporting competition, as we’ve seen through our partnerships with the Canberra Raiders, ACT Brumbies and NSW Touch Association,” Cr Tout said.
“This will be an exciting opportunity for residents of Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas to see elite Australian netballers in action in our own back yard, so to speak.
“Whether you’re a die-hard GIANTS Netball fan, play the game yourself, or just love watching elite sports, the MPS will be the place to be when the game rolls into town.
“There is also the potential to meet some of the team through community engagement activities, which may include things like a skills clinic for local netballers, school and shopping centre visits.”
Tickets for the match in Wagga Wagga will go on sale on at midday Monday, February 5.
Tickets for the match in Griffith will go on sale at 10am on Thursday, January 25.
Match Details:
Game 1: GIANTS v Mavericks
Friday, March 1 at 6:45pm
Wagga Wagga Multi-Purpose Stadium
Game 2: GIANTS v Mavericks
Sunday, March 3 at 12pm
Griffith Regional Sports Centre
