Super Netball 2023 season draw 2023: Schedule revealed, start date, grand final up for sale, new Inclusion Round

The new Super Netball season will open with a blockbuster grand final rematch in round 1, but a decision on the grand final location is still to be made.

Netball Australia officials will announce the location of next year’s super Netball grand final before the start of the season after confirming the showpiece match would again be sold.

NA released the 2023 Super Netball draw on Sunday night, with the season to feature several new initiatives including Inclusion Round, an Anzac Day match hosted by Collingwood and a return to week-by-week fixtures after three seasons of condensed games due to Covid.

The 2023 Super Netball season will kick-off with a Grand Final rematch between West Coast Fever and the Melbourne Vixens. Picture: Getty Images.

A furore erupted earlier this year when NA sold the rights to is showpiece game just weeks before the championship decider without consulting with players.

While the move was made to boost the funds of the financially feeble organisation, the decision to sell the game to the West Australian government for a reported $350,000 caused a furore.

That died down after West Coast Fever won the major semi in a move that would have secured the club hosting rights anyway.

But with 13,908 fans attending the match at Perth’s RAC Arena on a weekend in which Perth also hosted a Wallabies match, the west is shaping as a favourite to host again, especially with the Fever favourites to defend their maiden title.

In other major points:

-The season will start on March 18, with the Fever and Vixens clashing in a grand final rematch.

-First Nations Round will again be held over a fortnight to ensure every club can host a match celebrating Indigenous culture.

-The club-driven Super Netball pride match will morph into a full “inclusion” round in 2023

-Collingwood Magpies will host an Anzac Day match.

-Finals will be held over three weeks in June and July with the grand final on Saturday, July 8.

The Vixens will be looking for revenge in Round 1, after going down . Picture: Getty Images.

NA executive general manager Super Netball Adam Richardson said the organisation had built on last year’s fixture, which provided maximum engagement for clubs and fans with match times on Saturday nights and Sundays.

“With a variety of dedicated rounds and the return of back-to-back weekend matches, we cannot wait for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season to commence,” he said.

“We are also excited to introduce the league-wide Inclusion Round to the fixture, which will afford clubs the opportunity to support and celebrate inclusions initiatives that are specific to their playing group and communities.”

After two weeks during which sponsorship has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons for NA, Suncorp chief executive Insurance Product and Portfolio Lisa Harrison reinforced their commitment to the competition.

“We are proud of our continued commitment to the Suncorp Super Netball competition,” Harrison said.

“We join players and fans in eagerly anticipating what is sure to be another thrilling season that will no doubt inspire and delight all who enjoy watching, playing, coaching and supporting the fantastic game that is netball.”

Every game will again be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo, while two matches each round will be available to watch free on Kayo Freebies.

All finals, including the grand final, will be live and free on Kayo Freebies.