The Suncorp Super Netball Commission last week announced the introduction of two new rules for season 2020.
- Rolling substitutions
- Extra time
In a post-season survey, 63 percent of Suncorp Super Netball fans voted in support of the rolling substitutions and an enormous 80 percent were in favour of extra time, following an unprecedented total of six matches resulting in a draw throughout 2019.
GIANTS Netball finished the 2019 season with the one draw, the controversial round seven 62 apiece full-time result against the West Coast Fever in Perth.
GIANTS’ Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald said she likes both of the rule changes.
“No one wants to see a draw and the extra five minutes will give us more opportunity of a result,” she said.
“Rolling substitutions is of real value – it will reduce the number of ‘injury replacements’ and will also provide us with more opportunity to give some minutes to players on the bench when applicable.”
The 329-match capped coach acknowledged the change the new roles will have not only on the way she coaches but for all teams.
“Rolling substitutions will certainly ensure we look at a fame differently,” said Fitzgerald.
“Sometimes it won’t be a matter of just swapping like for like, so careful consideration will need to be given to not only substitute but to enable players to adapt quickly to any necessary change in style or structure.
“We will start to train to these changes immediately. Getting the team used to rolling substitutions and developing the ability to enter or leave the game at any time.
“I have no doubt all coaches will use these rules differently, with some finding them more beneficial than others in terms of implementation and load management.
“I think the change in rule will provide our younger players more opportunity and will help develop adaptability into their game.”
The Commission approved the changes following extensive post-season analysis, trials within the 2019 Suncorp Team Girls Cup and 2019 Deakin University Australia Netball League season and consultation with various stakeholders within the game.
Suncorp Super Netball CEO Chris Symington, who also chairs the league’s competition committee, said the changes will add another element of excitement to matches.
“The continued evolution of Suncorp Super Netball is a result of listening to our fans and partners to ensure we are bringing our audiences the best possible product each week,” he said.
“With a significant rise in drawn matches and questionable injury substitutions it was something we had to look at and we think the introduction of these two changes will create further interest and enjoyment of our great game.”
In relation to rolling substitutions, teams can now make substitutions during play, as well as during stoppages and intervals. There is no limit to the number of substitutions that can be made, and multiple substitutions can be made at any time. Play will not to be held for substitutions and must take place through the designated substitutions zone in front of the team bench area.
For a substitution during play, the substitute must tag hands with the player leaving the court before entering the field of play.
Players must observe the offside rules as they enter/exit the court and make sure they do not interfere with the umpire’s movement during the substitution. If there is an infringement during a substitution, a free pass will be given where the ball is when the interference or offside entry/exit occurs.
The rolling substitution rule change will be implemented throughout the Netball Australia pathway in the Deakin University Australian Netball League and the National Netball Championships.
For extra time, if the two teams are tied at the end of regulation match time, a 90 second break will be taken, and the match will then go into five minutes of extra time.
Teams will not swap ends, the centre pass will follow on and teams will play without break for five minutes. If at the end of the five-minute period, the teams are tied, the match will be declared a draw. If at the end of the five-minute period, one team is up by one or more goals, that team will be declared the winner. Goals scored during extra time are not included in bonus point calculations for the fourth quarter.
Teams will be allowed to make substitutions in the break before extra time commences and normal injury and rolling substitutions can occur during extra time, however, no time outs will be permitted in extra time.
During finals, if teams are drawn at the final siren, an extra five minutes will be played as per above. If scores are still tied at the conclusion of the extra five minutes, play will continue without a break until one team has two-goal advantage.
The bonus point system will remain for the 2020 season after the 2019 finals series was determined in the dying minutes of the final home and away match due to the bonus point system. 81 per cent of fans stated that the bonus point system increases the excitement of the match and season.
84 per cent of fans also stated that the standard of competition within the Suncorp Super Netball league is better than ever before.
A newly-selected Suncorp Super Netball Competition Committee will hold their first meeting of the year this week. The committee for 2020, chaired by Suncorp Super Netball CEO Chris Symington will include the following representatives:
- Catherine Clark (CEO – QLD Firebirds)
- Nikki Horton (GM – NSW Swifts)
- Jane Woodlands-Thompson (GM – Collingwood Magpies)
- Stacey Marinkovich (Head Coach – West Coast Fever)
- Jo Weston (Player Delegate – Melbourne Vixens)
- Kathryn Harby-Williams (CEO – Australian Netball Players’ Association)
