Bond’s bid for a state licence
BOND University have emerged as a likely licence holder for Netball Queensland’s new Sapphire Series in 2019.
With NQ earlier this year announcing plans to replace the Queensland State Netball League with the Sapphire Series next season, the Bulletin understands Bond are among the frontrunners to be granted entry when the successful candidates are announced next month.
The new competition will do away with the QSNL’s regional teams, including the Golden South Jaguars, in favour of private licences, but the exact number of teams is yet to be confirmed.
Bidders have been bound by a confidentiality agreement but Bond executive director of sport Garry Nucifora confirmed the university’s interest in entering the competition.
“The university has certainly been a part of the process. It’s pretty exciting,” Nucifora said.
“There’s going to be an announcement next month about everything. I believe our bid will be very strong.”
A statement posted on the NQ website this month said the Sapphire Series would be “netball like you have never seen it”.
“The Sapphire Series will align with Netball Queensland’s vision of transforming lives, by providing a semi-professional, local platform for players, coaches and umpires to step up to the national stage. The Sapphire Series will also create local heroes,” the statement read.
“It will connect young netballers to local heroes who they aspire to be and give them opportunity to watch the matches live at the new State Netball Centre or via live streaming on their mobile device. The Sapphire Series will replace and build upon the highly successful Queensland State Netball League, which commenced in 2001.
“After allowing license (sic) applicants an additional month to finalise their submissions, the Sapphire Series subcommittee have made their recommendations to the NQ Board, who have finalised the licenses for the inaugural Sapphire Series.
“We look forward to announcing the license holders in the coming weeks.”
The Jaguars reached the semi-finals of this year’s QSNL, which was launched in 2001, before Brisbane North went on to win a fourthstraight crown on Saturday.