COUP FOR TASMANIAN NETBALL FANS

TASMANIAN netball fans will be treated to a smorgasbord of exciting events next year, with the announcement of a host of national and international netball matches across the state.

The Collingwood Magpies will again return to the state, lining up against last season’s grand final runners-up the Giants in a Super Netball practice match at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Friday, February 9.

The Magpies will also again play a round of Super Netball at the Silverdome, with the date to be confirmed.

Wales and Northern Ireland will travel to the state with their Commonwealth Games teams to play practice matches against the Collingwood Magpies and the Tasmanian Magpies ANL team in preparation for the Games.

These matches will be played in the evening at the Silverdome in Launceston on Tuesday, March 27, and Thursday, March 29, before travelling to Hobart to play at the DEC on Saturday, March 31.

Aaron Pidgeon, chief executive of Netball Tasmania, said the range of events on offer in 2018 would be a fantastic experience for the Tasmanian netball community.

“We’re extremely lucky to be able to bring international netball to Tasmania in 2018, as well as expanding our offering of Super Netball which is Australia’s premier competition, and likely the strongest netball competition in the world,” Pidgeon said.

“The relationship between Netball Tasmania and Collingwood has continued to grow and we can’t underestimate the significant benefit of bringing elite competition to Tasmania. Not only is it a spectacle for those who attend, but having elite netball in Tas- mania opens up so many doors for the development of athletes, officials and participants.

“If we are going to grow netball in our state, and increase our performance on the national stage and see Tasmanian athletes participating in the Super Netball competition, it’s critical for the netball community to gain exposure to the highest level of competition.”