Melbourne Mavericks to host community clinics and pre-season matches in state’s north ahead of “Super” clash in Hobart in May

Tasmania set for elite women’s sporting action as Melbourne Mavericks to face Queensland Firebirds in Super Netball showdown in Hobart in May.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Mavericks players celebrate the win during the round 12 Super Netball match between Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning at MyState Bank Arena, on June 29, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The Melbourne Mavericks will bring elite netball to Tasmania again next year with a round six Suncorp Super Netball game against Queensland Firebirds in Hobart in May.

Ahead of that, the Mavericks will be in Tasmania next month to play two-pre-season matches, both against the Giants, at Ulverstone on December 12 and the Silverdome in Launceston on December 14, as well as conducting three community clinics and other activities.

Mavericks general manager Shae Bolton-Brown said the club was excited to continue to bring the world’s best netball competition to Tasmania.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Mavericks players celebrate the win during the round 12 Super Netball match between Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning at MyState Bank Arena, on June 29, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

“We absolutely loved our time in Tasmania during our inaugural season,” she said.

“The crowd was amazing – they truly got us over the line – and it was fantastic to be embraced like this in our first year as a club.

“We’re excited to be in a position to return to the state and reach even more Tasmanians in 2024/25, who we can hopefully inspire to not only get behind the Mavs, but further their love of our game in general.”

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Tracey Neville, Head Coach of the Mavericks Celebrates the win during the round 12 Super Netball match between Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning at MyState Bank Arena, on June 29, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Netball Tasmania CEO, Mitchell Coulson, was equally thrilled to have the Mavs back.

“In working through the scheduling of these matches it was critical that we were able to bring elite netball to the North-West and North of our state,” he said.

“They are two key regions that have produced so much amazing netball talent. We thank the Tasmanian Government for their ongoing support of Tasmania’s number one female team sport.”

Nick Duigan, Minister for Sport and Events, said the government was “committed to giving Tasmanians access to high quality sporting events, which is why we are supporting this partnership.”

“The deal between Netball Tasmania, Netball Australia and the Tasmanian Government will see two Melbourne Mavericks games played in the north and south of our state each year, for the next two years,” he said.

“Importantly, the funding will also support Netball Tasmania to work with Netball Australia to deliver community engagement initiatives and enhance the training and development opportunities for high performance netball players in the state, which will inspire the next generation and grow participation.”

MELBOURNE MAVERICKS IN TASMANIA

December 11

Mavs Open Training

Ulverstone Sports & Leisure Centre

10am-1pm

Mavs Community Clinic

Ulverstone Sports & Leisure Centre 4-6pm

Mavs Community Clinic

Marist Regional College 4-6pm

December 12

Mavs v Giants – Pre-Season Game 1

Ulverstone Sports & Leisure Centre 6pm

December 13

Mavs Community Clinic

Hoblers Bridge Netball Courts 4-6pm

December 14

Mavs v Giants – Pre-Season Game 2

Silverdome, Launceston 11am