Bull Sharks embrace season delay

THE Bond University Bull Sharks are refusing to be defeated by the decision to postpone the Sapphire Series.

Netball Queensland made the decision this week to push back season two from its July start date to October. It will end in February 2021.

Bond University netball director Stu Allen believes the decision could allow a nationwide recruiting drive because Queensland’s state league now falls outside of the normal netball season.

International netball star and prolific shooter Sigi Burger

is now unlikely to return for a second Sapphire Series, while the Bull Sharks have also lost goal attack Leah Pue to New Zealand. But they have retained most of their 2019 playing squad.

“The new playing window gives us a range of options,” Allen said. “It means that players aren’t committed elsewhere which could make us a bit more attractive.

“There’s still a couple of holes in the group we’re looking to fill. We wouldn’t have had access to our full playing list so the move to summer clears the schedule for us and gives us a much clearer run.

“Netball Queensland made the best out of a bad situation and we’re just glad they’ve given us a definite start date.”

The Bull Sharks were in the midst of their pre-season weights program and days away from on-court training when the postponement announcement was made.

If the Sapphire Series does kick off in October as scheduled, it will have been 12 months since the Bull Sharks last featured in the Sapphire Series.

The international travel halt has also affected the likes of defender Jeante Strydom who is stuck in South Africa.