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League | ANZ Championship |
Sport | Netball |
Number of teams | 10 |
TV partner/s | One HD (Australia) Network Ten (Australia) SKY Sports (NZ) TVNZ (NZ) |
2011 ANZ Championship season | |
Champions | TBD |
Incumbents | Adelaide Thunderbirds |
Runners-up | TBD |
Minor premiers | Queensland Firebirds |
Adjacent transfer periods seasons | |
← 2010 |
2012 → |
The 2011 ANZ Championship season will be the fourth season of the ANZ Championship, commencing on 13 February. The 2011 season is scheduled to start much earlier in the year compared with previous season, to accommodate the 2011 Netball World Championships in July. The condensed season will comprise 69 matches played over 15 weeks, including an initial 12-week round-robin stage, followed by a three-week finals stage. Several rule changes will also be implemented in 2011.
New Zealand
The Northern Mystics fought of many teams during the 2010-11 off season to re-sign the majority of its squad for 2011. Shooter Catherine Latu has returned, as did Silver Ferns Maria Tutaia, Temepara George and Joline Henry. The biggest signing for the 2011 season in the Mystics camp was returning Silver Fern Anna Scarlett who chose the Mystics over several other franchises including a big money offer at the Southern Steel. The Mystics also gained Steel captain Megan Dehn who wanted to end her netball career in New Zealand's north and Rachel Rasmussen after her massive impact in last year's performance for the Pulse. The Mystics major losses included Jamaican defender Althea Byfield returning to Jamaica and Jenny-May Coffin who retired from netball, but became the Mystic's assistant coach. Te Aroha Keenan left her spot as Mystics's head coach and was replaced by last year's assistant coach Debbie Fuller.
Apart from the loss of international shooter Jodi Brown to pregnancy, the Waikato/BOP Magic line-up remains unchanged from 2010. The trio of Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman and Casey Williams have returned, joined by steady defenders Peta Scholz and Jodi Tod. The Magic have also signed young gun shooter Julianna Naoupu from the Steel for 2011 and Jarmila Gupwell from the Pulse. Coach Noelene Taurua has also been retained after talk the former Silver Fern may of stepped down after the 2010 season.
The Central Pulse made ground during the off season, luring Australian import Caitlin Thwaites from the Melbourne Vixens, and Steel shooter Jade Topia to Wellington, but apart from those two in exceptions, the franchise has failed again to sign the big names. Ama Agbeze has left for the Fever, as has Jane Altschwager and Silver Fern Paula Griffin, who heads south to the Southern Steel for 2011. Good news for the Wellington based club is Silver Fern defender Katrina Grant will return for 2011, joined with midcourter Camilla Lees. Cushla Litchwark is the only member to have stayed for the team since it's inception.
Two major signings at either end of the court will determine the outcome of the Canterbury Tactix future for 2011. One is former Silver Ferns shooter Donna Wilkins who will head north for 2011. After more than eleven years in Southland, playing under Robyn Broughton at both the Southern Sting and Steel, Wilkins took a break during 2010, before being contracted by the Tactix. The second large signing is Jamaican defender Kasey Evering. Known for her height, she needs to gel quickly with her teammates to have any success in the ANZ Championships. The Tactix have also retained goal attack Anna Thompson. In the midcourt Maree Bowden has also returned, along with up and coming Silver Fern Charlotte Kight in defence.
The Southern Steel are slowly climbing their way up the ranks and will pose as a huge threat for 2011. Known for always over performing, coach Robyn Broughton had problems with her midcourt in 2010, but that has been resolved with the signing of former Australian international Natasha Chokljat who moves across the tasman from the Melbourne Vixens. Chokljat will bolster the midcourt and join 2010 MVP Liana Leota and Silver Ferns squad member Wendy Frew. At either end, shooter Daneka Wipiiti is as solid as a rock, while at the other post, Commonwealth Games gold medal winning defender Leana de Bruin is back from tour with the Silver Ferns. Add in the inclusion of 60 test-cap veteran Sheryl Scanlan, new international shooting recruit Paula Griffin and up and coming defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, and the Steel pose as a major chance for 2011. However, the team had major problems without Wipiiti, Chokjat and Scanlan due to injuries in round 1. The Steel even grabbed former Sting player Tania Dalton to play for their side.
Australia
New players, a new logo and a new uniform are all changes for the Adelaide Thunderbirds for 2011. Heading into the new season as the defending champions, they won't go in as favourites, with the club set for a huge re-building season. International defenders Geva Mentor and Mo'onia Gerrard have left the franchise, while at the other end shooter Kate Beveridge has also departed. Captain Natalie von Bertouch and shooter Carla Borrego are the only stars left standing from their 2010 premiership season starting line-up and will mix in with new youth for 2011. The team also features Joanna Sutton who got an ACL last year and Kara Richards to show why she should have been included in last year's Vixens squad.
The Melbourne Vixens have gone on a spending spree for the new season as they try to win back the title that eluded them in 2010. Captain Sharelle McMahon will return, but will be joined by a new shooting partner in the form of last years Thunderbirds shooter Kate Beveridge. Through the midcourt, the loss of lynchpin Natasha Chokljat has meant the franchise has looked elsewhere. West Coast Fever wing Madison Browne is the major signing in the middle, and will join Renae Hallinan who will play from wing defence. Defence is where the Vixens look at their strongest. Julie Corletto and Bianca Chatfield have returned, but the addition of English keeper Geva Mentor means the club has three options in the back. The team also features Fastnet Diamond shooter Tegan Caldwell.
The 2008 champions NSW Swifts confirmed early on that star shooters Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley had been re-signed for the 2011 season, and days later midcourter Kimberlee Green was signed up too. The side then went on to adding depth to its roster, re-signing Vanessa Ware and Rebecca Bulley, along with English import Sonia Mkoloma who has chosen her club over her country. The Swifts look like real chances for 2011, and with the addition of defender Mo'onia Gerrard who returns to Sydney after a three year stint in Adelaide. The Julie Fitzgerald led team will be a big force next season along with Fastnet Diamonds Player of the Series Ashleigh Brazill.
The Queensland Firebirds denied claims shooters Romelda Aiken and Natalie Medhurst had fallen out during season 2010, with both re-signed for the new season along with midcourter Lauren Nourse and international defender Laura Geitz as the sides marquee signings. Amy Steel has also re-linked with the franchise, after steady talks with the Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds, the team has also gained the signature of former Tactix utility Chelsea Pittman, but lost wing attack Sarah Wall to Vixens.
After losing Madison Browne to the Melbourne Vixens, the team did its best to retain the majority of its starting seven for 2011, and the club as done that. Born and breed West Coast shooter Caitlin Bassett will once again suit up for the Fever, along with talents Leah Shoard, Shae Bolton and tall timber defender Susan Fuhrmann. The Perth based club has also signed former English defender Ama Agbeze who returns after originally playing for the Fever in 2008, but more recently has suited for the Central Pulse in 2010, and the Melbourne Vixens in 2009. Also, despite losing Janelle Lawson, the Fever gained Ashlee Howard from the Vixens after missing out last year's season due to injury as well as Josie Janz's sister Alicia Janz. Coach Jane Searle has also been retained for the up coming season.
Main season • Transfer period • Standings | |||||
Australia | Queensland Firebirds | NSW Swifts | Melbourne Vixens | Adelaide Thunderbirds | West Coast Fever |
New Zealand | Northern Mystics | WBoP Magic | Central Pulse | Canterbury Tactix | Southern Steel |