With Collingwood today pulling the plug on their Super Netball franchise, it leaves the competition one club short heading into next season.
But where will the eighth team come from?
Netball Australia say “negotiations are already underway” for a new team to fill that position for 2024-2026 – but how quickly can a new franchise come together?
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Tasmania remain a front runner in discussions, given they already have the Super Netball set up available after paying $1 million to the Magpies to bring games to the Apple Isle.
Netball Tasmania recently confirmed their interest to join as the eighth team.
“If an opportunity does arise for Tasmania to be considered for an 8th SSN license, then this is something we would have a close look at in conjunction with Netball Australia,” the organisation said in a statement.
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“Netball Tasmania are committed to continuing to bring elite netball to this state and will continue to work hand-in-hand with Netball Australia and the Tasmanian Government to achieve this outcome.”
Interestingly, it will be Tasmania who host Collingwood’s final Super Netball match before the club folds after the last round of the 2023 season.
And with Tasmania confirmed as the 19th AFL licence – to come in to the competition in 2027 – now might be the best time to secure the fans before footy arrives.
While Tasmania are reportedly in the box seat, it seems extraordinary that there would only be one team in Victoria given their dominance at State level netball competitions.
Netball Victoria’s Fury State side won eight of 12 Australian Netball League tournaments, and were two-time runners up – making the grand final in all but two series.
Fox Netball’s Madi Browne said earlier this month she’d love to see a second team in Geelong, with a set up similar to the Sunshine Coast Lightning who take more of a regional Queensland fanbase than the Firebirds in Brisbane.
“I’d personally love to see a team in Geelong so that like the set-up in Queensland, where the Firebirds have Brisbane and the Lightning are located outside the metro area on the Sunshine Coast, they have different markets,” she told Fox Netball.
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“I think the same could work in Victoria – because we have the need for two teams.”
But Geelong Netball Club has already pulled the pin on those hopes, in a statement released this week, saying the timing was not right.
“We appreciate the positive discussion regarding developing a SSN team out of Geelong,” the club said.
“Our Club’s main focus at this time is working through our Victorian Netball League (VNL) Licence submission which we hope will secure our VNL licence from 2024 – 2028.
“The Club has recently completed a strategic plan taking us through until 2028 which does include as one of our longer term goals, being in a position to secure a SSN Licence when the opportunity arises.
“To do this we must have an appropriate local venue for training and to host SSN games. Such a facility is not currently available in Geelong and we are optimistic that new facilities being built for the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be made available for this purpose. We will continue to work with the City of Greater Geelong, Netball Victoria and other stakeholders to realise this goal.
“When the time is right and all the required resources are in place, we will take the next step in establishing a SSN team in Geelong.”
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Like the Geelong Netball Club, Netball WA said they did not think the time was right to introduce a second club in Western Australia.
“The decision of Collingwood Netball to not renew its SSN licence is extremely disappointing and upsetting and our Club’s thoughts go out to the coaches and players during this very difficult time,” Netball WA and West Coast Fever CEO Simone Hansen said.
“I don’t think it is financially viable to have a second team in WA right now, but that’s not to say it is not an option in the long term.
“In the event it becomes a strategic priority for Netball Australia to add a second licence into the West Australian market, it is imperative that, like the model in New South Wales (with the GIANTS Netball and NSW Swifts), Netball WA would own the licence.”
Netball Victoria remains adamant there is a need for two teams in the State – and pledged to continue working with Netball Australia and the State Government to achieve that.
“We want to make it clear that this development does not reflect the robust health of the game across Victoria,” the organisation said.
“Our state remains a netball stronghold and Netball Victoria is fully committed to growing the sport from grassroots to the elite level, ensuring there are thriving pathways for our athletes, officials and administrators.
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“We believe having two Victorian-based SSN teams is important if we are to develop and retain the best netballers in this state and continue to encourage grassroots participation.
“Victoria has the depth of players, officials and administrators, as well as the passionate netball fanbase, to enable two SSN teams to compete successfully, on and off the court.
“We are working closely with Netball Australia to ensure that Victoria continues to be appropriately represented in the national competition.”
But if not Geelong, then where in Victoria?
As it stands, the Victorian Netball League is currently in the process of sorting its licenses for 2024 and beyond, with applications still open until next month.
The successful clubs will then be announced in August.
But whether a VNL team would have the ability to elevate themselves into SSN contention remains something to explore.
For now, while devastating news, not much changes for the Collingwood players.
They were already all off contract at season’s end with no CPA in place for next season – but now they can be certain they won’t be at Collingwood next year.
Coaching and support staff will also have their futures up in the air; whether they remain with Collingwood to work in their AFL or AFLW fields, or look to another netball opportunity.