The Super Netball 2020 Season In Australia Begins

Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League, widely recognised as the best in the world, was due to start the new season on 2 May but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus crisis. But it has finally started, on 1 August, with all eight teams relocating to Queensland and the introduction of a controversial new rule.

Eight Members of England’s Vitality Roses team will be playing for their respective teams in the league, including Jo Harten, Helen Housby, Layla Guscoth, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Kate Shimmin, Chelsea Pitman, Stacey Francis, and Geva Mentor.

Harten joined the Sydney-based Giants in 2017 from New Zealand side Magic and is now in her ninth season in the league. Housby is joined by shooting partner Haythornthwaite at Swifts as the pair aim to retain their crown.

Guscoth, who has returned to Australia after working as an NHS doctor, fellow defender Shimmin and wing attack Pitman all play for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Mentor is entering her 11th top-flight season in Australia and is Magpies co-captain with Browne. Defender Francis has played for West Coast Fever since 2016.

One of the biggest talking points pre-season has been the introduction of the two-point ‘Super Shot’ rules. It allows players to score two points from a 1.0 metre designated zone inside the circle, but will only be active during the final five minutes of each quarter.

The late introduction of the rule has given players and coaches only a few weeks to work on drills and tactics to utilise the rule.

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