Ruby Series aims to find local gems
THE Magnetic North Steelcats name will live on despite Netball Queensland’s restructure of competitions this year.
The NQ Ruby Series has been created as a feeder division for players who miss out on selection into the Northern Rays squad, which will compete in the new Sapphire Series.
The Steelcats will feature in the three-team, four-round competition along with the Whitsunday Sharks and Marlin Coast Marlins.
Magnetic North Netball president Robyn Hamilton said she had pushed for a regional competition to remain so local girls would not miss out on playing.
“It is very exciting,” she said. “As much as it is good for the Sapphire Series to be up and running and to have the North represented, we didn’t want to see the regional teams disappear.
“It will be a feeder competition for what the Rays will be looking for in future years to come.”
Preseason trials will be held in May ahead of the start of the competition in July.
“It has been reduced to a shorter season which is prob- ably not a bad idea for players playing in that competition because they also have their club representatives playing as well,” Hamilton said.
“Our players were playing club, representative and state level as well so they were burning out by the end of the season. We’ve tried to make it a season where they can compete in all the competitions they want without burning out.”
The coach of the new team is expected to be announced shortly.
IT WILL BE A FEEDER COMPETITION FOR WHAT THE RAYS WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN FUTURE YEARS TO COME ROBYN HAMILTON