Net Gains: Why Super Netball needs real rivalries; the odds-defying triple double

It’s the best competition in the world but Super Netball needs to shed its prim reputation if it’s going to attract the wider commercial audience needed for it to thrive.

The genteel “here if you need” may have been replaced by “we are here” marking a welcome shift in the mindset of players and administrators in the best netball league in the world.

Next step, let’s show the hate. Well, hate may be overstating it.

But put the best players in the world in any sport on the same court, pitch, field or ground and fans want to see the passion in the rivalry.

The Swifts and Giants go head-to-head on Sunday in a derby being dubbed the Battle of the Bridge.

With state bragging rights on the line and some of the best netballers in the world in head-to-head battles, it’s time to see the passion.

No one’s asking players to bring back the biff or get so physical that they penalise their side out of the contest. But give us an insight into how friends turn into red-hot rivals once they cross the white line.

Netball is growing its physical audience, with fans turning out in droves to games across the Super Netball league.

Grace Nweke has been a spark for the Swifts. Picture: Getty Images

But clubs need fanatics - not just occasional fans - who want to tune in, buy memberships and merchandise and follow their sides to matches around the country.

They need people in pubs and clubs asking for the channel to be changed so they can tune in to Super Netball.

To be checking their phones and cancelling dinner plans because they’re so desperate to know how their team is faring.

And while their playing heroes are part of that - so are the opposing villains.

Giants veteran Jo Harten schooled newcomer Sanmarie Visser in her Super Netball debut a fortnight ago, using every ounce of her smarts to welcome the South African to the league.

Harten, likely to return this week for the Giants, will face a different challenge against Diamonds defender Sarah Klau in Sunday’s derby.

One of the most competitive players in the league, the Englishwoman is passionate about her club and probably one of the most frank talkers in the league.

But it’s usually introspective, looking at her own performance or that of the Giants.

Sarah Klau is one of the most passionate players of Super Netball. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

No one’s asking for trash talking but letting the fans in on the depth of rivalries - between individuals, or clubs (we’re looking at you Vixens and Fever) - is not a bad thing for the competition.

Just ask any of the Vixens defenders who ended up prone on the court when attempting to stop Grace Nweke at the weekend.

Does Jo Weston put that in the memory bank for the next time she lines up in an international against Nweke, or do two of the most genuinely nice and smart women in the competition just shake hands and have a chat?

Plenty of people love watching West Coast Fever defend their RAC Arena fortress.

But don’t we also want to see the reception Courtney Bruce receives on her return? Is she still the beloved former captain who helped deliver the club’s first premiership?

Or was she little more than a thorn in the side of champion goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard when the teams played out one of the closest and most exciting games of the season in round 4?

Call each other out, talk up the rivalries, let’s have villains as well as heroes.

Super Netball needs a flavour other than vanilla.

SISTER ACTS

Super Netball players could be forgiven for thinking they’re seeing double this season.

It’s got nothing to do with concussion or blurred vision, rather the remarkable efforts of three sets of twins, who have pushed each other to be among the best players in the world.

With only 80 full-time contracts on offer and just over 100 positions all up once training partners are added in, what’s the chance of twins getting a call up?

What about two sets of twins? Three?

Twins (L-R) Tara Hinchliffe, Maddie Hinchliffe, Natalie Sligar, Amy Sligar. Picture: Sunshine Coast Lightning

The odds are astronomical. But that hasn’t stopped the Cransberg, Sligar and Hinchliffe twins from making it to the top.

The Cransbergs are currently playing together for West Coast, Zoe joining full-time contract holder Jordan in the match day line-up after a season-ending injury to Ruth Aryang split the Fever’s original sister act.

While the Cransbergs are both on court in Perth and the Hinchliffe twins occasionally get time together - with Maddie the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s 11th player and Tara part of their star defensive unit - the Sligars now see a little less of each other after Natalie left Giants midcourter Amy at the Giants for a chance with the Lightning.

The pair was reunited at the weekend when the Giants travelled to the Sunshine Coast, Amy Sligar and Tara Hincliffe getting to see their twins playing Super Netball Reserves for the Lightning before the former pair took the court in the round 5 SSN clash.

Jordan Cransberg and Zoe Cransberg of the Fever. Picture: Getty Images

Sligar said having a twin playing sport at an elite level was a “pretty unique situation” but she understood how it could happen.

“I think because we’ve probably grown up pushing each other, you kind of naturally just get better by being around your twin,” May Sligar said.

“I’ve always been able to train against Natalie and I’m sure the other twins are the same, they’ve trained against each other.

“Growing up, I wasn’t even the best netballer in my family, so I had to work really hard to become good at netball.”

SEEKING NEW PARTNERS

They say any publicity is good publicity but Netball Queensland would be hoping for some of the focus on its recent woes to die down given it is seeking a new commercial partner, with the naming rights at its state netball centre up for grabs.

The venue, which has been known as Nissan Arena since 2019, is the home of the Queensland Firebirds, boasting a 5000 seat show court where Super Netball matches are hosted, as well as other indoor courts, a gym and high-performance training facilities.

The venue, based at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, has welcomed more than two million visitors since opening six years ago hosting events as varied as world championship boxing, premier league darts and school graduations. A new partner is expected to be named at the end of July.

Originally published as Net Gains: Why Super Netball needs real rivalries; the odds-defying triple double