The Melbourne Vixens will host a 2020 Grand Final re-match against the West Coast Fever in front of fans at John Cain Arena to kick-off the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season.
The release of the full 2021 Suncorp Super Netball fixture this morning has unveiled that the first match of the season will be played on Saturday 1 May at 3pm AEST with the action set to continue at the same venue that evening with the Collingwood Magpies taking on the Sunshine Coast Lightning at 7pm AEST.
Round 1 will then move north on Sunday 2 May where the Queensland Firebirds will host the NSW Swifts at Nissan Arena at 1pm AEST, and then across to Adelaide where the Thunderbirds will welcome GIANTS Netball to Netball SA Arena at 3pm AEST.
The 2021 fixture sees all teams hosting seven home games throughout the season with fans able to attend all matches*, returning the competition to normality following the condensed hub format the 2020 season was played in.
Netball Australia Chief Commercial Officer and EGM of Events, Dave Lee is pleased to release the full 17-week fixture today.
“The Suncorp Super Netball league is delighted to be welcoming fans back to matches across the country in 2021 for a full home and away season,” he said.
“The world’s premier netball league will be making a return to states that didn’t get to watch a match live in 2020 and we know the athletes are incredibly excited to have the cheer of a home crowd behind them. There is just so much to look forward to this season with team rivalries greater than ever before.
“With the uncertainty in today’s world, we have worked closely with clubs, broadcasters and venues to put strong contingencies in place for this entire fixture, ensuring we’re best placed to keep the 2021 season going if various borders close throughout the year.”
In other fixture highlights, the Finals Series will be played over three weeks culminating with the Grand Final on Sunday 29 August, the new home of netball in Sydney – Ken Rosewall Arena –– will be unveiled in Round 2, night matches will be played across the season and Collingwood will play at the Silverdome in Launceston.
Round 8 will be played over two weekends to allow each team to have a bye within the season and themed rounds for the 2021 season, such as Indigenous Round, will be announced as the season approaches.
Mim Haysom, Suncorp Executive General Manager Brand & Marketing said, “Suncorp is delighted to continue our support of Suncorp Super Netball and together with netball fans nationally, eagerly anticipate a season of exciting match-ups and hopefully plenty of opportunity for fans to get close to the live action in venues.
“Suncorp is proud to be committed to supporting women’s sport, and every level of netball, from our juniors in Suncorp NetSetGO programs all the way to the aspirational role models and high performing athletes we see on the court in Suncorp Super Netball.”
Teams are currently in full pre-season training with many practice matches happening between Suncorp Super Netball clubs around the country. See club websites for details.
The 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season will be broadcast live on Nine, Telstra TV and the Netball Live Official App.
*fan attendance/capacity will depend on health advice in each local jurisdiction.
