Sixty games in 78 days, 6687 goals from 8067 attempts, three drawn games, six games decided by a single point and one triumphant Premier: the Melbourne Vixens.
These are just some of the key numbers behind what has been an extraordinary 2020 season of Suncorp Super Netball.
But dig a little deeper and another story begins to emerge; one of sacrifice, dedication, partnership and innovation. The first sport to deliver a full season in the shadow of COVID19, the first elite female sport back on free-to-air TV, almost 200 players, team staff and family plus more than 50 umpires, officials, league staff and broadcast team members relocated to a single Queensland hub.
Zero COVID breaches, 350 hotel nights and more than 90 days away from home for many players and staff. Seven children relocated to the hub for the best part of three months and countless emotional Zoom calls to family and friends across the nation.
Finally, and most importantly, one huge thank you to every individual and organisation who contributed to delivering a season that at times looked doomed.
To the fans - you drive the athletes, you amplify our triumphs (and disappointments), and you keep us accountable. This season, you’ve also shown-up – not always in person – but in record-breaking digital and free-to-air numbers.
To our broadcast partners in NINE and Telstra, you’ve continued to innovate to present the world’s best netball league in exciting new ways. To our sponsors, led by Suncorp and including Nissan, Super Retail group, HCF, Origin Energy, Deakin University and Mondalez, plus all the team sponsors, your support drives us to be better and bigger.
To Tourism and Events Queensland and the leadership and staff of the Sunshine Coast Lightning and Queensland Firebirds, you were the port in our storm and provided the stunning backdrops of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns.
To the umpires and officials, it’s true that going unnoticed means you’ve had a good game, but be assured we saw you and appreciated the skill it takes to allow the players to shine.
And lastly, to the players. From your surprising and irreverent lockdown videos to your stunning athleticism and drive, you’ve represented netball in a way that other sports can only dream of.
You’ve turned on the greatest of shows and in so doing, fuelled the dream and ambitions of hundreds of thousands of girls and young women across Australia.
Thank you all and see you in 2021.
Signed Paolina Hunt, Chair, Netball Australia; Marina Go, Chair, Suncorp Super Netball Commission; Marne Fechner, CEO Netball Australia; and Chris Symington, CEO Suncorp Super Netball.
