Super Netball draws world’s best, but questions raised over import policy
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It appears there is no better time to launch the second instalment of Super Netball.
Having just finished a really close Commonwealth Games campaign with plenty of discussion surrounding the outcomes of the gold medal match, Netball Australia will be pleased to have so many eyes focused on their domestic product.
After the English Roses upset the Diamonds in the final on the Gold Coast, head coach Lisa Alexander made some tough, yet reasonable comments weighing up the positive versus negative inclusion of internationals in the Australian domestic competition.
"I can't say it any other way, I'm the national coach and this [English players in Super Netball] has clearly assisted them to win this gold medal," she said after the Diamonds' one-goal loss.
"That's our high performance system working for another country."
Alexander is a figurehead and supporter of the sport, so most were surprised by her strong remarks.
While it is true that international players have definitely benefitted from our training systems, the general consensus from Super Netball players is that the Games upset and inclusion of internationals in the league can only be good for the game.
Geva Mentor, captain of the English Roses team and the Sunshine Coast Lightning (last year's Super Netball champs), said the Australian competition had taken on a role as the premier league for the rest of the world and that everyone was bound to benefit.
However, she also believes a large credit of what England has been able to achieve in the last couple of years is due to their head coach Tracey Neville's work back home.
"I definitely think what Tracey has managed to do with our program has influenced us," she said.
"She really stripped it back in the UK and rebuilt it, and we go back into that semi-centralised program before each major event.
"But definitely for the girls playing out here, it's strengthened us in terms of having that confidence and belief that we can grind out games and play tough games week in and week out.
"The Aussies we are playing against, the South Africans and other internationals playing in this league, by having the best players in this world and playing against them it just lifts that challenge and quality of the game and that's really healthy for the sport."
Australian players torn between team and country
For New South Wales players like former Diamond Kim Green who is captain of the Giants (runners up in Super Netball 2017), there is a new conflict that has developed between what they want for their own country and wanting to support their English teammates.
"It's interesting. To be honest I think the fact that we've been able to secure players from all around the world is the reason why the competition is what it is today and we want diversity, we want different people, that's what it's about," Green said.
"Yes, it's not ideal for the Aussie Diamonds but we were in this predicament probably five or six years ago (with the Trans-Tasman Championship), when New Zealand were really taking charge and winning a lot of games.
External Link: Kim Green – Super Netball interview
"We had a hard look at ourselves, seeing what we could do better and how we could push the boundaries individually but also as a group, and then we won 21 straight.
"I think everyone thinks it's the end of the world but the match could have gone either way. The Aussie Diamonds didn't play the best to their potential, they know that, they've said that and England played out of their skin."
For a sport that has battled to gain prominent public interest in the UK, netball is really relishing the attention it has received following the Roses' first Commonwealth Games netball gold.
Looking at the bigger picture, their success will help international netball as a whole, especially as host of the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool.
Fever rising as West Coast tipped to fly in 2018
With such a great contingent of players across the board and many new players and team changes for 2018, it is difficult to say who is the strongest chance for a premiership title.
However, Green and Mentor both touted the West Coast Fever as dangerous players heading into the season.
Finishing seventh out of the eight teams in contention at the end of 2017, their prediction may surprise fans.
But Green argues you really cannot underestimate the strength that new Fever recruit Jhaniele Fowler-Reid will bring to their side.
"Fever are looking really good with Jhaniele Fowler-Reid there now. It gives them a very good target down that end which I think they've been missing for a few years," Green said.
"The Vixens are also going to be solid again, they haven't got many changes and they're young and youthful and want it."
While the Sunshine Coast Lightning are happy to have a target on their back, Mentor also believes that West Coast will lead a heavy challenge.
"West Coast Fever have definitely recruited well over the off-season, the likes of Jhaniele Fowler-Reid will bring firepower to that goal circle and they've been such a tenacious team over the last couple of seasons so they're definitely going to be on the radar."
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