Fever Prepare for the Suncorp Super Netball
With a new look National netball competition set to begin in 2017, the West Coast Fever will soon be commencing their preparations in order to achieve success in the league’s inaugural year.
2016 saw the final year of the Trans-Tasman ANZ Championship with both countries electing to commence their own individual competitions in 2017.
This breakaway saw Australia add an additional three teams to the pre-existing five who competed in the old league.
These new teams are now located on the Sunshine Coast, in Sydney and in Melbourne, all aligning themselves with various AFL and rugby teams.
Whilst changes to the overall league were made, alterations have also been made to the structure of each team, changing from teams of 12 to teams of 10 players.
The 2017 competition, as announced on October 19, has a new principal partner, Suncorp Bank.
Suncorp have signed a fie-year contract with Netball Australia where they will support Australian netball at all levels, from grassroots right through to national representation.
As the naming rights sponsor, the league is now titled the Suncorp Super Netball.
The most recent news of the league came early this week, with the announcement of the fixtures for the season.
The West Coast Fever’s draw comprises of seven home games of which four will be played at the Perth Arena thanks to their new partnership with the City of Perth.
Playing four games at the Arena and three at HBF Stadium, the Fever will now call Perth’s premier sporting venue their official home venue for 2017.
Netball WA is hoping to gain permission from the venue, league and broadcaster to hold one of their Perth Arena fixtures as an open air game.
By opening the roof of the venue, the Fever would be the first team to hold a game in such conditions.
Netball WA CEO, Simon Taylor said “it would certainly be impressive to deliver something nobody else has in our game before.”
In addition to hosting games in a premier venue, the signing of a new broadcasting partner for the league also means that Fever will see an increased number of their games broadcast live on Channel 9.
The West Coast Fever will play their first two games of the season on the road against the Thunderbirds and then new comer, Giants Netball.
They return for their first home game, against the Queensland Firebirds on the 3rd of March.
This will be the first of the four games held at the Perth Arena.
With a new look team, the West Coast Fever will be looking to make their mark on the Suncorp Super Netball in 2017.
West Coast Fever 2017 Fixtures –
Sunday 19/2 @ 10:00am ~ vs Adelaide Thunderbirds, Priceline Stadium
Saturday 25/2 @ 4:00pm ~ vs Giants Netball, Quodos Bank Arena
Friday 3/3 @ 6:30pm ~ vs Queensland Firebirds, Perth Arena
Saturday 11/3 @ 4:00pm ~ vs Melbourne Vixens, Margaret Court Arena
Friday 17/3 @ 6:30pm ~ vs New South Wales Swifts, HBF Stadium
Friday 24/3 @ 6:30pm ~ vs Sunshine Coast Lightning, HBF Stadium
Saturday 1/4 @ 5:45pm ~ vs Adelaide Thunderbirds, Perth Arena
Friday 7/4 @ 5:30pm ~ vs Magpies Netball, Hisense Arena
Saturday 22/4 @ 6:45pm ~ vs Queensland Firebirds, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday 30/4 @ 12:00pm ~ vs Giants Netball, HBF Stadium
Friday 5/5 @ 5:30pm ~ vs New South Wales Swifts, State Sports Centre
Friday 12/5 @ 5:30pm ~ vs Sunshine Coast Lightning, University of the Sunshine Coast
Saturday 20/5 @ 6:45pm ~ vs Magpies Netball, Perth Arena
Saturday 27/5 @ 6:45pm ~ vs Melbourne Vixens, Perth Arena