Gold Coast Titans open their netball era in the Sapphire Series
The leading face of the Gold Coast Titans’ netball era has thrown down a challenge to the community as they pave the way to a huge future. COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF THE CLUB’S INAUGURAL LAUNCH HERE>>
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“There’s still more to be done”.
That was the rallying call of inaugural Titans captain Kristen Oxenford, who declared the club’s Sapphire Series debut to just be the beginning for aspiring athletes on the Gold Coast.
Netball’s blossoming presence on the Australian sporting landscape has grown drastically since the Super Netball series was born.
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However as the sport strives for full-time professionalism in the long run, Oxenford called on more sponsors to get behind netball’s push.
Late last year Netball Australia, the Australian Netball Players’ Association and the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs agreed to a landmark payment deal for the competition’s athletes, with the minimum salary for 2022 contracted players reaching up to $74,000.
A groundbreaking five-year broadcasting agreement on Foxtel Group platforms went a long way to securing this, and Oxenford said continued exposure could soon pave the way for even greater full-time opportunities.
As the Titans prepare for their maiden state-league game, the first phase of their vision to enter the Super Netball, the Gold Coast product said the club was determined to use this opening clash to launch a long-term future for the side.
“My partner and I joke … we were into sport 10 years too early. Even these young kids at the national netball championship in Tassie at the moment are getting streamed on Kayo and those opportunities weren’t there 10 years ago,” Oxenford said.
“It’s an incredible shift we’ve seen in the past two years even. But there’s still more to be done; more sponsorships, more acknowledgment and hopefully some financial commitments to players in the future.
“It’s the only way, I know there’s a lot of debate on the women’s sport arguments and it all comes down to TV or streaming and how many people are watching and engaging in the games.
“The more we have exposure on those platforms the more we have visibility on our sport and teams, and hopefully those sponsorships and those opportunities for players will come.”
Oxenford’s historic moment in leading the first Gold Coast Titans netball side will coincide with a battle against a former teammate.
When the 26-year-old was in the Queensland Firebirds’ system she played alongside goal shooter Beryl Friday, and now the pair will go head-to-head on Monday night when the Glitter Strip take on the Northern Rays.
The Titans second tier Ruby Series side will also make their first appearance, with Oxenford praising their competitive presence for keeping the elite outfit on their toes.
A former skipper of the Bond University Sharks, she said the chance to see the Gold Coast side through to a Super Netball birth would be palpable fuel to produce a strong debut season.
“It would truly be amazing, I’m getting a little bit older now turning 27 this year but never say never,” Oxenford said.
“It would be amazing, I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else now I’ve had my experience here. It’s really exciting, and it feels like there’s momentum building.
“We’re really excited to play, as athletes that’s what we want to do — get on court and perform — and especially being a new club and franchise it’s that little bit extra special.”
CAN THE GOLD COAST AVOID THE SAME RAYS’ SETBACKS?
Building a new side from the ground up can come with its hurdles. Just ask the Titans’ inaugural opponents.
The Northern Rays entered the Sapphire Series in 2019 as a way of engaging North Queensland prospects and providing a pathway to keep them in the region.
However financial difficults threatened to completely end their first campaign, while the cost of travel and Covid-19 concerns in 2020 forced them to pull the pin on the season.
At last they were able to push forward in 2021, but the distance between the Rays talent pool regions — Townsville, Cairns and Mackay — resulted in a winless year.
On the financial side of things, the Titans have the backing of an already established NRL franchise — a huge point of difference for the new outfit.
As for results, it remains to be seen.
Both head coach Temepara Bailey and Oxenford would rather forget the club’s first trial clash, but the pair also said there was immediate improvement for their final trial.
Building a team is one thing, new faces coming together and clicking quickly is another.
BATTLE OF THE SKIPPERS: WHICH OF THESE FORMER TEAMMATES WILL RISE ABOVE?
Oxenford cut her teeth for the Firebirds, and in doing so won her way into a purple dress for a Super Netball debut.
Within that same squad was Beryl Friday, who will lead the Rays on Monday afternoon.
While they will not be a direct match up — Oxenford lining up at centre and Friday in the shooter’s circle — both will have a similar mentality.
For the Gold Coast leader there is no doubt that guiding her team to a win first up will be firmly at the front of her mind, while for Friday ending a long losing run for the Rays will add fuel to her fire.
“We grew up playing in state teams together. I’m really pumped to see Beryl back out there this year, I think she’ll bring a whole heap of experience and quality netball to the Rays,” Oxenford said.
Former teammates going at it at Nissan Arena, both with plenty to play for. Expect fireworks.
HOW CRUCIAL WILL THE SECOND TIER SIDE PROVE TO BE?
One area in which the Rays struggled was filling a Ruby Series team. In their initial year the Magnetic North Steelcats took part, but financial woes meant they had to abandon the side.
While the club are making strides to bring the outfit back, ultimately it means the North Queenslanders do not have another group of players nipping at the top tier’s heels.
The Titans, however, will also have their Ruby Series debut on Monday afternoon, providing constant training opposition for the Sapphire Series unit.
“It’s huge, with our Ruby team I think the really great thing this year is we trained a wider squad of about 28 from about January to the end of February” Oxenford said.
“We had eight weeks of training as a squad, and that brought this competitive nature amongst the group. The two teams weren’t selected yet, so everyone had to put their best foot forward.
“Now that we have those two teams and are able to have match play against the Ruby series team weekly it’s a huge benefit. But it’s also the fact they’re continuing to push as in that Sapphire Series team.
“Having that competitive nature within the squad is a real asset.”
While it may benefit the Sapphire side, will the presence of the Ruby contingent keep talent pushing for those higher honours across the Gold Coast?
WILL FORMER RIVAL BECOME GREATEST THREAT?
Jordan Ngarimu was constantly on the road last year, making the trip from Brisbane up to North Queensland to be a part of the Rays long-term vision.
But now that the Gold Coast have the Titans, with her partner the cpatain of the club’s NRL squad, the centre has remained in the Southeast.
Ngarimu was one of the few bright spots of the Rays 2021 season, and will now vye with her Gold Coast skipper for game time in the centre circle.
While she will know all too well how North Queensland coaching director Vicki Wilson operates, the team which will line up opposite her is very different to the one she took the court with.
So how much inside knowledge will she be able to provide?
Originally published as Gold Coast Titans open their netball era in the Sapphire Series
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