Netball news: NRL club Gold Coast Titans in surprise move to expand operation through other code

The Gold Coast Titans will adopt a business model like European superclub Real Madrid as they look to venture into other successful code with a huge asset sitting right on their doorstep.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JULY 25: Jarrod Wallace of the Titans celebrates a try during the round 19 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, on July 25, 2021, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Gold Coast Titans have applied for a licence to compete in the Sapphire Series, tier below the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition with a view of ultimately joining the world’s premier netball league.

It is understood the Titans will announce their plans, including their inaugural netball coach, next week as the club reveals its vision to become more than just an NRL club.

Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle has long championed women in sport and leadership roles, and is an advocate of the Titans evolving into a multi-sport, community-focused entity.

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The Gold Coast Titans could cash in on a large New Zealand-Pacific Island population where netball is the national women’s sport.

It’s a model big European soccer clubs like Real Madrid have successfully implemented.

On the Titans’ doorstep is the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the venue used for the 2018 Commonwealth Games netball competition.

Additionally, the Gold Coast is home to a large New Zealand-Pacific Island population, in excess of 50,000, with netball the national women’s sport for both countries.

Earlier this year a “landmark” broadcast rights deal struck was struck.

Netball Australia, Super Netball League Commission and Foxtel Group announced a groundbreaking new five-year broadcast and digital rights contract, which will see every Suncorp Super Netball game aired live and ad-break free during play.

The deal, which runs from 2022 to 2026, will ensure the sport’s elite competition remains freely accessible to Australia’s massive netball fanbase, as netball is the country’s No. 1 female team participation sport.

A netball franchise on the Gold Coast could join the Brisbane Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2022.

The rights package includes:

— Every game of every round of the Super Netball competition aired live and ad-break free during play on Foxtel Group platforms, including Foxtel and Kayo Sports

— Two games being available live and free as part of ‘Kayo Freebies’, along with every match of the finals series.

The new deal is also a major financial boost for Super Netball’s existing eight clubs and extra security for its elite players, who’ll be paid by the league.

Suncorp Super Netball League to set to resume in 2022 on Saturday 26 March.

The season will start and finish earlier than previous years due to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which will be held from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August.

Netball Tasmania has also applied for a licence to compete in Suncorp Super Netball competition next season.