Giants, Swifts Super Netball derby at new ICC venue creates history
A GAME which could determine the playoff hopes of the Giants and Swifts at the International Convention Centre will also be a vital test run for a potential Grand Final to be run in the Sydney CBD for the first time in history next month.
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A GAME which could determine the playoff hopes of both the Giants and Swifts at the International Convention Centre on Sunday will also be a vital test run for a potential Grand Final to be run in the Sydney CBD for the first time in history next month.
Netball NSW has confirmed the ICC is the only venue available for the Grand Final of Super Netball if either the Giants or the Swifts win the right to host the August 25 or 26 season decider of the world class league.
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Sunday’s local derby is the first time domestic netball has been played in the city with the last international match at the demolished Sydney Entertainment Centre, demolished last year, played between Australia and New Zealand 18 years ago.
“I think it’s fantastic and hopefully having it in the city does bring new fans to the game who might not be able to get out to Sydney Olympic Park all the time,’’ said Giants captain Kim Green ahead of the match at the 7000-seat venue which on Wednesday was just 200 tickets shy of being a sellout.
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But readying a venue normally used to host concerts, expos, conventions and functions has had its logistic — and expensive — challenges, including requiring two trucks to bring the wooden court from Qudos Bank Arena to the city to be laid for the game and a scoring system being built for the match.
“I just think its exciting for the game to be exposed to a different audience,’’ said Swifts captain Abbey McCulloch.
The Giants and the Swifts will wear specially designed Indigenous uniforms in Sunday’s match as part of Super Netball’s Indigenous Round run during NAIDOC Week.
The round 10 game could be one of the most heated of the competition with the Giants out for redemption after losing to the Swifts for the first time earlier this year and their rivals needing a victory to keep alive their playoff hopes.
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While the Giants are sitting pretty in second place on the league ladder, Green says she is expecting an arm-wrestle for points.
“We haven’t yet nailed it when it comes to tight games this season so this is a game we hope it comes together in.’’
The Swifts edged the Giants by a single goal in round two of Super Netball but have now fallen to sixth place on the league ladder following two straight defeats.
“It’s do or die for us. We are coming in off a couple of losses and we need the points and confidence boost,’’ McCulloch said.
The Giants, back to full strength for the game with the return of Green from a calf tear, go into the match with a record of six wins, two losses, a draw and 20 bonus points to sit in second place
The Swifts have a record of five wins, four losses and 14 bonus points to sit in sixth place.
SUNDAY
Round 10 of Super Netball
Giants v Swifts
5pm
International Convention Centre