Netballers Susan Pettitt (Giants) and Paige Hadley (Swifts).
IT’S a new game for netball in 2017 with the sport shooting for the hearts and minds of a new generation of fans.
There are new teams, new rivalries, new players, new coaches and even new rules.
There will be new cross-town rivalries, new interstate challenges and new stars of the game.
We take a look at the new league, the clubs, the captains and the matches that will matter in 2017.
Here’s our ultimate guide to Suncorp Super Netball 2017.
SUPER NETBALL: GIANTS ULTIMATE GUIDE
SUPER NETBALL: SWIFTS ULTIMATE GUIDE
Romelda Aiken and Sharni Layton in last year’s grand final.Source:News Corp Australia
SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL — FAST FACTS
WHEN
The new all-Australian competition kicks off on February 18 and will run until June, 2017. This will deliver fans a 17-week season.
GIANTS UNDEFEATED AT PRE-SEASON COMP
NETBALL PAY DEAL: HOW IT WORKS
WHO
There will be 80 of the best netballers on the planet competing in the league. Each team has a squad of 10 which is a reduction on past years.
The competition will be dominated by Australians with 64 locals playing alongside 16 imports representing seven different counties.
GIANT STAR'S DREAM RETURN
Gabi Simpson (right) will lead the Firebirds in 2017.Source:News Corp Australia
CLUBS
The established clubs are NSW Swifts, Queensland Firebirds, Melbourne Vixens, West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The new clubs are Collingwood Magpies, Giants Netball and Sunshine Coast Lightning.
HIGHLIGHTS
There will be seven blockbuster double-headers during the season, along with six local derbies. A total of 13 venues will be used during the competition.
TV DEAL
The five-year broadcasting deal with the Nine Network and Telstra will ensure live free-to-air TV coverage of two games a week for the 2017 season.
Kimberley Green will captain the Giants. Picture: Stephen CooperSource:News Corp Australia
THE FIXTURE
ROUND ONE:
GIANTS v SWIFTS
Feb. 18, 2017
5pm
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
VIXENS v MAGPIES
Feb. 18, 2017
7pm
Hisense Arena
FIREBIRDS v LIGHTNING
Feb. 18, 2017
7.45pm
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
THUNDERBIRDS v FEVER
Feb. 19
12.30pm local time
Adelaide Priceline Stadium
The Collingwood squad.Source:News Corp Australia
AUSSIES TO WATCH
KIM GREEN: Giants Netball
The savvy veteran who stepped down from the Australian team after winning the 2015 world title but has decided to play on so she could be part of netball’s new future. She will lead by example — on and off the court — and will play and integral role in setting up the culture of the new club.
SHARNI LAYTON: Magpies
One of the queens of defence and a crowd favourite. Layton puts her heart and soul into games and the crowd responds in kind. Will be pivotal to the Magpies’ success in their inaugural year in the new league.
CAITLIN BASSETT: Lightning
Big, deadly accurate and a real crowd-pleaser. In 2015 she stunned the international world when she racked up a PB of 55 goals in the Constellation Cup. Hard to defend and rules the attacking end with finesse.
Jo Harten in action for England last year. Picture: Sarah ReedSource:News Corp Australia
INTERNATIONALS TO WATCH
LAURA LANGMAN: Lightning
When it comes to on-court leaders, Langman is one of the best in the game. She brings years of experience to the new club along with a few tricks up her sleeve after a long stint with the Silver Ferns for years. Langman has moved from the Swifts to the new club for the season and will play a major role for them as they bid to make an initial impact.
MWAI KUMWENDA: Vixens
One of the best shooters in the game and certain to make her mark early with her new side, Kumwenda comes to the club with great form and keen to make a big impression. From Malawai, this international also has some smooth moves and is expected to be a big hit with fans.
JOANNE HARTEN: Giants
Will bring plenty of experience to the new club with 81 internationals under her belt. This talented shooter will add something different to the mix for the Giants. Can play goal attack or goal shooter.
The Swifts’ Paige Hadley is staying put with the club.Source:News Corp Australia
Giants Fixtures
Feb. 18, 5pm Giants Netball v NSW Swifts, SOPSC
Feb. 25, 7pm Giants Netball v West Coast Fever, Qudos Bank Arena
Mar 4, 7pm Magpies Netball v Giants Netball, Hisense Arena, VIC
Mar 11, 8:45pm Sunshine Coast Lightning v Giants Netball, University of Sunshine Coast.
Mar 19, 1pm Giants Netball v Adelaide Thunderbirds, AIS Arena, ACT
Mar 25, 7pm Melbourne Vixens v Giants Netball, Hisense Arena, VIC
Apr 1, NSW Swifts v Giants Netball, SOPSC
Apr 8 7pm QLD Firebirds v Giants Netball, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD
EASTER BYE WEEKEND
Apr 23, 1pm, Giants Netball v Magpies Netball, Qudos Bank Arena
Apr 30, 2pm West Coast Fever v Giants Netball, HBF Stadium, WA
May 7, 1pm Adelaide Thunderbirds v Giants Netball, Priceline Stadium, SA
May 14, 1pm GIANTS Netball v Melbourne Vixens, AIS Arena, ACT
May 19, 7:30pm Giants Netball v QLD Firebirds, SOPSC
May 27, 7pm Giants Netball v Sunshine Coast Lightning, Qudos Bank Arena
FINALS SERIES: June 3-17
The Vixens and Swifts battles this season are expected to be close encounters.Source:News Corp Australia
NSW Swifts Fixtures
Feb. 18, 5pm Giants Netball v NSW Swifts, SOPSC, NSW
Feb. 25, 5pm NSW Swifts v Adelaide Thunderbirds, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW Double Header
Mar 4, 8:45pm Melb Vixens v NSW Swifts, Hisense Arena, VIC Double Header
Mar 10, 8:30pm, QLD Firebirds v NSW Swifts, Bris Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD
Mar 17, 9:30pm, West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts, HBF Stadium, WA
Mar 26, 1pm, NSW Swifts v Magpies Netball, SOPSC, NSW
Apr 1, 7pm NSW Swifts v Giants Netball, SOPSC, NSW
Apr 9, 1pm, NSW Swifts v Sunshine Coast Lightning SOPSC, NSW.
EASTER BYE WEEKEND
Apr 23, 3pm NSW Swifts v Melb Vixens, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW Double Header
Apr 29, 8:45pm Adel Thunderbirds v NSW Swifts, Titanium Arena, SA
May 5, 7:30pm NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever, SOPSC, NSW
May 13, 7pm Magpies Netball v NSW Swifts, Hisense Arena
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE GIANTS
The Giants will play a mixture of home games between three venues — Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (SOPSC), Qudos Bank Arena and Canberra’s AIS Arena.
The Giants’ first game is against the NSW Swifts at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 18.
The team then heads to Qudos Arena a week later to take on West Coast Fever.
After two weeks on the road against the other competition newcomers — Magpies Netball and Sunshine Coast Lightning — the Giants will head to Canberra for their round five game.
The club will return to Canberra again in Round 12 when they meet Melbourne Vixens,
Netballers Susan Pettitt (Giants) and Paige Hadley (Swifts).Source:News Corp Australia
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE SWIFTS
The Swifts will be “away” for their round one match against the Giants with their first official home game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in round 2 on April 15 in the first double header at Qudos Bank Arena.
The Swifts will compete in seven prime-time Saturday evening matches, plus three games each on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons in the inaugural season.
There will be seven home games — four games at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (SOPSC), as well as three double header events at Qudos Bank Arena alongside cross-town rivals the Giants.
Originally published as Suncorp Super Netball: Ultimate Guide
