Media release – Netball Tasmania, 17 February 2021
Netball Tasmania to apply for Suncorp Super Netball licence
Netball Tasmania will apply for a licence to compete in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition for the period commencing in 2022. Netball Tasmania CEO Aaron Pidgeon said;
“This is an exciting time for Tasmanian Netball and Tasmanian sport in general as we see many sports push for Tasmanian teams in national competitions”.
“We still have a number of matters to line up before this can become a reality, but we’re committed to the cause and we believe that it’s the right time to be expressing interest.”
The expression of interest process for SSN licences for the period commencing in 2022 is expected to open in April 2021. Netball Tasmania will seek a participation commencement date of season 2023, allowing the existing Tasmanian Government Agreement with Collingwood Magpies to expire prior to the creation of the new Club. Mr Pidgeon said netball had been extremely lucky to partner with Collingwood since 2017 through which a joint Australian Netball League (ANL) team operated, and Collingwood have played SSN matches in Tasmania.
“We’re thankful to the Tasmanian Government for supporting that opportunity and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Collingwood to deliver SSN content in Tasmania throughout the remainder of the existing agreement,” he said. Netball Tasmania has submitted a request to the Tasmanian Government for financial support for an SSN licence, a critical component of the application and the implementation of a sustainable financial model.
“We believe that the financial model we have created for the proposed Club is sustainable, but it is dependent, at least through the first licence period, on the financial support of the Tasmanian Government,” he said.
“While we would like to be able to deliver a financial model which can standalone without the support of the Tasmanian Government, that’s not a reality in the short term.”
“That said, we are not looking for a handout but rather a mutually beneficial partnership that would see the Tasmanian SSN team deliver a value through regular and ongoing engagement with the Tasmanian community and an unwavering commitment to providing positive leadership and role models for young Tasmanians.”
“We also understand a decision to support a Tasmanian SSN team may impact the Agreement with Collingwood beyond 2022”.
“That is not a reflection on the relationship with Collingwood which has been fantastic, rather our need to prioritise the implementation of a Tasmanian team in the competition.”
While committed to securing a team in the SSN and optimistic about the submission, Mr Pidgeon said Netball Tasmania remained realistic about the challenges in both obtaining a licence and operating a team in the competition.
“As noted, the sustainability of our proposed program is initially dependent on securing government funding, but beyond that we still have much to do to in order to present the strongest submission possible”.
“Realistically, that submission needs to be strong enough to beat out a submission from one of the existing SSN teams or to convince the SSN Commission and the broadcaster to expand the league.”
As part of the strategy to operate a SSN Club in Tasmania, Netball Tasmania will be fielding a stand-alone team in the Australian Netball Championships for 2021 (formerly the ANL), rather than continue with the Tasmanian Magpies team.
“The Tasmanian Magpies has been a really valuable program and we’ve collectively achieved great things, including winning the ANL Premiership in 2018,” Mr Pidgeon said.
“We do however need to be doing what we believe is in the best interest of our athletes in alignment with our SSN aspirations, and that means entering a stand-alone team so that we can provided greater elite competition exposure to a greater number of Tasmania athletes.”
Netball Tasmania sees a SSN team as a fantastic opportunity for the Tasmanian community. If approved, the new club will provide local jobs, new entertainment product, a boost to local participation and strong role models in the community inspiring young Tasmanians.
Media release – Jane Howlett, Minister for Sport and Recreation, 17 February 2021
Tasmania seeking Super Netball license
I welcome today’s announcement that Netball Tasmania is set to apply for a license to compete in the highest level of netball competition in the country, the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition.
This is an exciting opportunity for our state which could see SSN games played regularly here in Tasmania.
A Tasmanian team could also lead to an increase in participation in the sport by giving young players a glimpse at world class netball, and a potential pathway from grassroots participation right through to the highest level of competition.
Netball Tasmania will put forward an expression of interest to the SSN in April 2021, and will seek to join the competition in the 2023 season.
It is important to note that this process will not affect the Tasmanian Government’s current deal with the Tasmanian Magpies for the club to compete in the Australian Netball League, the main feeder competition to the SSN, until 2022.
Our Government looks forward to working with Netball Tasmania to see what support we could provide, should their expression of interest be successful.
Media release – David O’Byrne MP, Shadow Sports Minister, 17 February 2021
Labor welcomes Netball Tasmania’s national competition bid
Tasmanian Labor has welcomed news that Netball Tasmania will apply to compete in the Suncorp Super Netball competition from next year.
Shadow Sports Minister David O’Byrne said the announcement is a shot in the arm for local netball.
“Netball Tasmania’s bid to join the national competition is exciting news for the sport in Tasmania,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“At a time when Tasmanian women in sport are under-represented on the national stage, this is an important development.
“Labor has said before that more needs to be done to get Tasmanian women represented at the national level.
“The Liberal Government has talked a lot about getting Tasmanian representation in national sporting competitions but there has been very little focus on women’s participation.
“Netball Tasmania’s bid is a great step forward in lifting that national representation.
“The vision to achieve a national netball team has Labor’s full support and we look forward to being briefed on the expression of interest process.”
