Netball start locked
Vixens to face Magpies in quarantine
THE Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies will play their first match of the Super Netball season while still serving quarantine in Queensland.
Super Netball officials released the opening six rounds of the fixture on Friday, beginning with a derby between two Queensland teams on August 1 with the relocated Victorian teams to square off in Brisbane on Sunday, August 3.
That’s the day before their official 14-days quarantine period ends.
After overcoming what Super Netball chief Chris Symington called some “substantial challenges”, officials were able to confirm the opening six rounds of the delayed season with all matches to be played at just three venues.
Officials are committed to completing a full 60-game season with all teams, except for the NSW Swifts and Giants, having relocated to Queensland.
Both the NSW teams will remain at home in Sydney for their first three matches of their seasons before travelling to Queensland to join the hub.
A clash between the Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning at Nissan Arena in Brisbane will kick off the season on August 1.
Pending border restrictions, it is also likely matches will be played in Perth, Adelaide and regional Queensland later in the season.
“Travel restrictions around the country have presented some substantial challenges in planning the schedule for the 2020 season, but we’ve worked closely with government and key competition stakeholders to lock in the first six weeks of action and we look forward to commencing what is going to be an enormous 14 rounds of netball,” Symington said.
“We understand clubs and fans would like confirmation on the entire fixture, however given the constantly-evolving COVID-19 situation we’re all facing, the league will confirm the 2020 fixture in phases to ensure the competition can remain flexible to cater for changing border restrictions as they occur.”
Given the changing landscape around border restrictions, Super Netball league elected to announce only the first six rounds, with the next phase of fixturing expected to be confirmed in mid-August. Teams in Queensland will travel between venues on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane.