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Super Netball: Cairns confirmed to host 2020 season fixture

Far North netball fans will be able to ride every deflection, intercept and super shot when the world’s ­premier netball competition comes to Cairns next month.

Far North netball fans will be able to ride every deflection, intercept and super shot when the world’s ­premier netball competition comes to Cairns next month.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy revealed Far North Queensland would soon host a Super Netball fixture for the first time in the history of the competition.

The Cairns pop-up arena, which is nearing completion in the old Bunnings Warehouse site on Spence St, will host one game during rounds 10-14, with the date and teams still to be confirmed.

The arena is scheduled to be finished by the end of next week.

Sunshine Coast Lightning players celebrate their victory during the Round 4 Super Netball match between the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Sydney Swifts at University of Sunshine Coast Stadium on August 16, 2020 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Sunshine Coast Lightning players celebrate their victory during the Round 4 Super Netball match between the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Sydney Swifts at University of Sunshine Coast Stadium on August 16, 2020 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Former Australian Diamonds representative Sharon Finnan-White said there would be a wealth of opportunities for netball to grow in the Far North when the Super Netball competition makes its way to the region.

“It’s important for the up-and-coming kids to see the elite players as it gives them something to aspire to,” she said.

“A lot of girls who live in regions have always found it harder to get through the pathway, simply because they live in a regional area.

“I think having a Super Netball game here will just raise a bit more awareness for those young girls who are thinking about what netball could look like for them.”

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Sharon Finnan-White at Cairns Netball in 2016. Finnan-White made her debut for the Australia Diamonds in 1990 and was just the second Indigenous player to do so at the time. PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY
Sharon Finnan-White at Cairns Netball in 2016. Finnan-White made her debut for the Australia Diamonds in 1990 and was just the second Indigenous player to do so at the time. PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY

She said it would be great to have the sport of netball front and centre in the region to promote women’s sports.

“Hopefully, it might help to increase participation in the region,” she said.

Healy said hosting a Super Netball fixture was “a great win for Cairns”.

“There’s no doubt that Cairns is building its reputation in its capacity to host national and world class events, welcoming the Super Netball, AFL, the Targa Great Barrier Reef and the iconic Cairns Ironman,” he said.

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“These events will deliver more than 10,000 visitor nights in Queensland, pumping millions of dollars into the economy.”

Suncorp Super Netball CEO Chris Symington said the league was thrilled to be bringing a match to Cairns.

“We know there are lots of Suncorp Super Netball fans right throughout Far North Queensland so we’re excited that the 2020 season has provided the opportunity to bring a game to Cairns,” he said.

“The league thanks the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council for their ongoing support of the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season and look forward to confirming the detail of this match in the coming weeks.”

WHEN SUPER NETBALL COULD COME TO CAIRNS?

Fixtures have only been released up to Round 9, but Super Netball has been running two rounds per week, with the first round played on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the second round played on Saturday and Sunday.

With Super Netball confirming the format is likely to continue for the remainder of the home and away season, Cairns could be in line to host a Super Netball fixture on the following dates:

Round 10 — September 5-6

Round 11 — September 8-9

Round 12 — September 12-13

Round 13 — September 15-16

Round 14 — September 19-20

Originally published as Super Netball: Cairns confirmed to host 2020 season fixture

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/super-netball-cairns-confirmed-to-host-2020-season-fixture/news-story/d27b9039e3a14be30f0a05185098e2ee