Suncorp Super Netball Preliminary Final Program

v

preliminary final SAT 10 JUNE HISENSE ARENA, MELBOURNE

2 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

CONTENTS WELCOME

4

WESTON TAKES ANALYSIS BEYOND THE COURT

6

PRICE PROUD TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA

7

MATCH PREVIEW: VIXENS V GIANTS

8-9

MELBOURNE VIXENS TEAM LIST

10

GIANTS NETBALL TEAM LIST

11

FITTER, FASTER AND STRONGER

12 - 13

TONIGHT’S UMPIRES MICHELLE PHIPPARD: Michelle is one of the 10 Australian contracted umpires to the 2017 Suncorp Super Netball season and is one of the most experienced umpires Australia has to offer.

She is a lawyer from Sydney, who is also a mum to three children. Michelle’s most memorable umpiring moments are the semi-final between England and New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the 2016 ANZ Championship Grand Final between the Queensland Firebirds and NSW Swifts.

JOSHUA BOWRING: Josh started his umpiring career in Hobart, Tasmania where he spent a lot of time watching his mum and sister play. His first umpiring experience was when an umpire didn’t show and he decided he would give it a go. From there, Josh has become one of Australia’s finest umpires. A couple of Josh’s most memorable umpiring moments are being awarded his AA badge in 2009 and umpiring at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 2014.

MARC HENNING: Marc’s interest in netball first came during his university days when he joined a social netball team, from here the interest in umpiring grew and he received his International Umpire Award in 2012. Marc believes that the Suncorp Super Netball now provides greater opportunities for the Netball Australia High Performance Umpire Group as it provides them with the opportunity to umpire to world’s best players on a weekly basis.

KEEP IN TOUCH /SUPERNETBALL

@SUPERNETBALL

@SUPERNETBALL SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 3

WELCOME FROM NETBALL AUSTRALIA After two incredibly close Semi Finals, both determined in the dying stages by one goal, our excitement continues to grow in presenting the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series.

Three clubs remain standing, with GIANTS Netball, Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning vying to make history as Suncorp Super Netball Champions. The Giants and the Vixens will face off this Saturday at Hisense Arena in our Preliminary Final, in a must-win clash to determine who will face Lightning on Saturday 17 June at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in the Grand Final.

MARNE FECHNER Chief Executive Officer, Netball Australia

We have seen more fans than ever before attending and tuning in every week, watching the world’s best go head to head. New rivalries have been established, the competition has been fierce and the athleticism and skill has stepped up another level.

You, our fans and partners, have lived every victory and every heartbreaking loss throughout the season. You are the lifeblood of the League and we look forward to delivering more outstanding netball for you throughout the Finals Series.

A huge thanks to our Principal Partners, Suncorp and the AIS, Broadcast Partners Nine and Telstra and the great family of League and Club partners, including Major Partners Nissan and Samsung. You share our vision of making the League, clubs and athletes household names, and have been there every step of the way in launch this new era for netball.

We look forward to an exciting Preliminary Final and wish both teams and their fans the very best of luck.

WELCOME FROM SUNCORP Suncorp Super Netball is a game changer for sporting fans across the country.

As Netball Australia’s new principal partner, we are thrilled to champion a new era for the much-loved game, with Suncorp Super Netball showcasing the sport at its absolute best.

Already one of Australia’s most participated-in sports, the new league has taken netball’s profile to new heights, with prime time television coverage bringing the excitement of matches into millions of homes.

MICHAEL CAMERON Suncorp CEO and Managing Director

Netball Australia’s broadcast agreement with the Nine Network and Telstra also provides an unprecedented platform for the elite netball competition to attract legions of new fans, while young players can watch their sporting heroes in action every week.

Suncorp’s five-year sponsorship agreement will support netball from the grassroots level, right through to the prestigious Suncorp Super Netball and representative competition with the Australian Diamonds.

At its heart, netball is an inclusive sport. For years, it has inspired players to pursue their goals confidently, while bringing families together every weekend. Suncorp Super Netball will inspire new generations of players to strive, excel and succeed. Its future has never looked brighter.

Suncorp is delighted to support one of Australia’s most successful sporting codes, whose players are wonderful role models for our younger generation.

We are proud to be on this exciting journey with Netball Australia - to drive participation in the sport, and empower women and girls to lead healthy and happy lives.

4 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

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WESTON TAKES ANALYSIS BEYOND THE COURT Melbourne Vixens defensive dynamo Jo Weston is talented at analysing the netball play on the court.

Although the 23-year-old is also delving into analysis of a different kind off court, working part-time as a Financial Analyst in the Business Advisory Sector of Deloitte Australia.

“I did a Bachelor of Commerce at university, so I was always interested in the business side,” said Weston.

“WORKING GIVES ME AN OUTLET TO SWITCH OFF FROM NETBALL AND FOCUS ON SOMETHING ELSE.” “I really like the niche area of private enterprise. We work with a lot of start-ups and not-for-profits so I find that work quite rewarding.

“At the moment I am really enjoying getting some experience.”

In her fourth year of national league netball, Weston says it is hard to juggle both working and being an elite netballer. But she says she is lucky to have a flexible employer who understands.

“It’s about managing your time,” she explained.

“Working gives me an outlet to switch off from netball and focus on something else.”

When asked if her workmates find it strange that she is also an elite netballer, Weston just laughed.

“Over the last year it has become more prevalent with some of my work friends, and they can’t help but potentially see me in the paper sometimes which can be kind of weird,” she said.

“But it’s something to get used to and they are all supportive and really also proud of me, so I’m lucky.”

SEASON 25 STATS45

DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS DEFLECTIONS

26 59 6 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

INTERCEPTS

CENTRE PASS RECEIVES

Read the full story on supernetball.com.au

PRICE PROUD TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA Jamie-Lee Price has had a different netball pathway to most of her Suncorp Super Netball teammates.

The 21-year-old began her netball pathway in Australia from a young age, before moving to New Zealand as a 9-year-old.

Price returned to Australia this year to chase her dream of representing Australia, eligible to represent either Australia or New Zealand.

A member of the 21/U Australian Netball World Youth Cup team, Price’s dream has been realised.

“From a young age I’ve always wanted to represent Australia,” Price said.

“I’m really excited to represent my country, and it’s going to be really fun and exciting to go to Botswana.”

Price said it was a tough decision to leave New Zealand, although she says she doesn’t have any regrets.

“FROM A YOUNG AGE I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA,” “It was risky, but now I have made the 21/U NWYC team for Australia, I’m so glad that I made the decision,” Price said.

“I want to be the best netballer I can be. Playing in Suncorp Super Netball I feel that’s how I am going to be the best, because it is the best competition in the world.

“I’ve always had an Australian style of play, but playing against the Australian style every week, it has helped me heaps.

“I feel like I am becoming a better player and I am learning a lot from this competition and from all of the girls.”

SEASON 17 STATS 48

GOAL ASSISTS CENTRE PASS RECEIVES

38

DEFLECTIONS

19

INTERCEPTS

Read the full story on supernetball.com.au

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 7

MATCH PREVIEW:

VIXENS V GIANTS WHO WILL CLAIM VICTORY AND PROGRESS TO THE INAUGURAL SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL GRAND FINAL AGAINST SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING AT THE BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE ON SATURDAY 17 JUNE? The Melbourne Vixens suffered a heartbreaking one-goal loss to Lightning in the Major Semi Final, with the Minor Premiers losing their right to host the Grand Final. Their midcourt was stifled by international great Laura Langman, who slowed down Liz Watson’s ever-reliable feed into the Vixens’ shooters. The proud Victorian team has a rich history and will return to the court with more determination than ever before.

GIANTS Netball kept their finals dreams alive in their do-or-die encounter with an equally dramatic one-goal win over Magpies Netball Club. Holding possession at the centre pass just 15 seconds from the end of the game with scores tied, goal attack-turned wing attack Susan Pettitt executed a spectacular feed from the centre third into Kristina Brice. The 22-year-old sealed the deal for her Giants with a goal in dying seconds, showing no sign of stress under pressure.

The key to the game will be the opening quarter, with it all on the line and the adrenaline pumping, which team will stick to their game plan? The Vixens have only conceded one opening quarter this year, and that was to the Giants in Round 12.

Could this be the key to unlocking victory? The team in orange will require a full-court defensive effort to grind the Vixens down. To atone for their Semi Final loss, the Vixens will need to ensure they keep their options open in attack, whilst keeping a close eye on the movement of Susan Pettitt and the Giants’ shooters.

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HEAD TO HEAD STATS 11

REGULAR ROUND WINS

11

929

GOALS

825

103

INTERCEPTS

105

180

DEFLECTIONS

246

PLAYER TO WATCH SAM POOLMAN

GIANTS GOAL KEEPER

The goal keeper has played every game of Suncorp Super Netball this year, in the most consistent national league season of her career. She is a danger to any goal shooter, with her tight, on the body defence. Poolman has combined with super-mum Bec Bulley with ease, the pair confusing the space for any opposition.

LAST TIME THEY MET ROUND 12, AIS ARENA, CANBERRA

STATS 52

GOALS

56

90%

SHOOTING PERCENTAGE

85%

51%

TIME IN POSSESSION

49%

1 GOAL

BIGGEST LEAD

8 GOALS

4

INTERCEPTS

9

8

DEFLECTIONS

22

7

GOALS FROM TURNOVERS

10

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 9

www.melbournevixens.com.au /MelbourneVix @MelbourneVixens @MelbourneVixensOfficial C

KATE MOLONEY DOB: 08/01/93 Height: 177cm Positions: WD, C

KADIE-ANN DEHANEV DOB: 04/09/96 Height: 192cm Positions: GK, GS

KateMoloney_

K.A.D.96

MWAI KUMWENDA DOB: 27/09/89 Height: 183cm Positions: GS, GA mwaikumwendanetballe

KateMoloney_

TEGAN PHILIP DOB: 03/09/88 Height: 175cm Positions: GA, GS

EMILY MANNIX DOB: 16/04/94 Height: 188cm Positions: GK, GD Emily_Mannix emily_mannix

EMMA RYDE DOB: 24/08/96 Height: 197cm Positions: GS, GA

TeganPhilip

EmRyde

TeganPhilip

KHAO WATTS DOB: 18/10/88 Height: 170cm Positions: WA, C, WD

10 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

CHLOE WATSON DOB: 28/02/94 Height: 183cm Positions: GD, WD

LIZ WATSON DOB: 30/03/94 Height: 178cm Positions: C, WA

Chlo_Watson

LizWatto

chlo_watto

Watson_Lizzy

JO WESTON DOB: 14/02/94 Height: 188cm Positions: GD, GK, WD

KhaoWatts

Jo_Weston

KhaoWatts

JoWeston142

www.giantsnetball.com.au /GIANTSNetball @GIANTS_Netball @GIANTSNetball C

JOANNE HARTEN DOB: 21/03/89 Height: 188cm Positions: GS, GA JoHarten

TONI ANDERSON DOB: 01/09/96 Height: 181cm Positions: GD, GK, WD tonieanderson

Jarten

TAYLAH DAVIES DOB: 03/10/94 Height: 170cm Positions: WA, C Taylahd4

SERENA GUTHRIE DOB: 05/01/90 Height: 177cm Positions: WD, C SerenaBob

taydavies4

JAMIE-LEE PRICE DOB: 10/01/96 Height: 179cm Positions: WD, C

KRISTINA BRICE DOB: 09/07/94 Height: 196cm Positions: GS

REBECCA BULLEY DOB: 18/8/82 Height: 186cm Positions: GD, GK

Kristina_brice

becbulley

Bricey94

becbulley

SUSAN PETTITT DOB: 23/03/84 Height: 180cm Positions: GA, GS

SAMANTHA POOLMAN DOB: 04/03/91 Height: 189cm Positions: GK, GD

SusanPettitt

SPoolman

SusanPettitt

SPoolman

SARAH WALL DOB: 16/10/84 Height: 175cm Positions: WA, C

JamieLee_Price

netfitsarah

JamieLeePrice_x

SarahLWall SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 11

FITTER, FASTER

AND

STRONGER

A DOZEN YEARS SINCE SHE PLAYED IN NETBALL’S WORLD YOUTH CUP, RETIRED DIAMOND CLARE MCMENIMAN IS JUST A LITTLE PROUD SHE STILL FITS INTO HER UNDER-21 PLAYING UNIFORM. The truth is, the kit and the rules of the sport remain the only aspects that have not changed as netball evolved from its amateur past to an elite battleground for a generation of virtually professional athletes.

Suncorp Super Netball combatants are stronger, faster and fitter than ever.

“The progress is exciting and it comes from having a desire to be the best.”

- Caitlin Bassett

They carry more muscle and collide at greater velocity than their predecessors, without losing any of the silky touch, dynamic athleticism and sublime vision that first attracted them to the game.

The difference between McMeniman then and at retirement last year was almost 10kg in bodyweight.

“When I first stepped into a Firebirds environment in

12 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

2003, if you could lift a 20kg bar with 2.5kg plates on each end, you were considered strong,” she said.

“Now you’ve got players benching three times that.”

One could simply explain the evolution as a sign of the times.

Many players no longer have to juggle fulltime work with netball following last year’s pay deal which saw the minimum wage double and the average earnings rise to $67,500.

Complimented by sports science, they spend more time in the gym and on the court so it would be reasonable to assume their bodies adapted to the level of professionalism.

But the real change has been between the ears as players understand more about elite preparation.

Leigh Smith has been Netball Australia’s Strength and Conditioning Coach for four years.

Working closely with the Diamonds and Australia’s pathway programs, he has contributed to the education of the country’s top players.

“It’s the players’ buy-in,” he said.

“When I first came on board it was a fight to get things done, to get them to want to do it.

“It’s giving them the tools they need to take themselves where they want to go.” - Leigh Smith “They knew the science but they were a little hesitant. Now, there’s not too many who don’t (embrace the strength and conditioning program).”

Smith’s involvement once would begin and end in the pre-season or at training camps.

Now he travels fulltime with the Diamonds who want to know every morsel of information that could improve their performance.

Dietitians, sport scientists and physiotherapists work closely with coaches who urge their troops to work hard, and train smart.

“It’s not just flogging yourself,” Smith said.

“There’s a difference between working hard and working maximally.

“It’s giving them the tools they need to take themselves where they want to go.”

You only need to scroll through the social media accounts of players to see how they prepare.

Pilates, yoga, meditation, Olympic-style lifting and cryotherapy (super-cooling the body) are all part of the routine. And each player responds differently.

According to Smith, Australian and Sunshine Coast Lightning goal shooter Caitlin Bassett is an example of the shift in attitude.

Then and Now. Lightning Goal Shooter Caitlin Bassett

“The progress is exciting and it comes from having a desire to be the best.

“For me, I don’t want to leave any stone unturned to match it with girls who are more natural athletes.

“When a game’s decided by a goal, it’s those little one-percenters that make the difference.”

McMeniman laughs as she makes comparisons to the player she was then, and the version she became as captain of the national team last year.

“There’s been a big change in mindset,” she said.

It took time for the players to recognise and accept that improvements in the gym would be reflected on the court.

And it took time for the penny to drop that body composition, not bodyweight, was what really mattered to performance.

“At the AIS I weighed 68kg with skinfolds in the low50s,” McMeniman said.

Retired Diamond Clare McMeniman still fits into her under-21 playing uniform.

As a gangly teenager, she realised she had to find alternative means to combat stronger, more agile defenders.

“I finished my career weighing 76kg, skinfold in the high-60s but with a lean muscle index much higher.

“If I weighed the same as I did at 21, I wouldn’t be able to hold my ground.”

“I’ve got memories as a 16-year-old, being in tears because I couldn’t even lift the bar off the bench press rack,” she said.

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 13

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14 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

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SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 15

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16 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

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HISENSE ARENA, MELBOURNE

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SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 17

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SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 19

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20 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

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SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 21

Winning partnership Proudly supporting Netball Australia The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) invests in sport at all levels in Australia.

We work with Netball Australia to ensure Australian netballers excel in the international sporting arena whilst increasing participation in netball.

Netball Australia is one of many national sporting organisations partnering with us to achieve Australia’s Winning Edge.

WITH THANKS TO OUR 2017 LEAGUE PARTNERS

PRINCIPAL

MAJOR

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BROADCAST

22 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

CHARITY