Magpie superstars spread their wings

COLLINGWOOD Magpies captain and international superstar Madi Robinson and electrifying new recruit Erin Bell have been in Hobart to promote their upcoming appearances in Tasmania next year.

After a successful partnership with the state this year, the Magpies will return to Tasmania multiple times in 2018 to showcase their talent and treat Tasmanian netball fans to a thrilling range of events.

Excitingly, the Magpies will play in Hobart for the first time when they take on this year’s Super Netball runners up, the Giants, in a practice match at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Friday, February 9.

This will be followed by the International Netball Festival, where Northern Ireland and Wales Commonwealth Games teams will play practice matches against the Magpies and the Tasmanian Magpies ANL team in preparation for the Games. These matches will be played in the evenings at the Silverdome on March 27 and 29, before coming to Hobart on Saturday, March 31.

And with the confirmation of another Super Netball round against the Queensland Firebirds taking place at the Silverdome on June 3, Robinson and Bell are both excited to be able to bring high quality netball to Tasmania.

“It’s great to be able bring so much netball to the state” said Robinson, adding: “It’s nice to be coming down to Hobart to play on the big stage.”

Robinson loved coming to Tasmania this year, saying “the atmosphere was incredible, there were lots of people out in support at our game and to our events.”

Robinson is keen to gain more black and white fans, and believes the games in Hobart are a great way to do so.

“We want to broaden our community engagement — we’d love even bigger, better, louder fans to cheer us on.”

With the Magpies having just played their first practice matches this week against West Coast Fever, Bell was excited for the upcoming season at her new club.

“They play super-fast, the ball is moved with such speed and they use the ball really well,” said Bell.

Bell is an exceptional inclusion for the Magpies, with her ability to play at speed and shoot from anywhere.

Robinson and Bell are also looking forward to building relationships with the soon to be named Tassie Magpies ANL team.