NETBALL Tasmania have made their intentions clear submitting an application to compete in the Suncorp Super Netball competition as of 2023. Although there are still many loopholes and details to be ironed out Netball Tasmania CEO Aaron Pidgeon is committed to the cause and is focused on making this dream a reality for many netball fans across the country.

What would the inclusion of an extra team mean to the SSN?

• Additional list spaces for international talent
• Potential for more Australian youth prospects to be included
• Tasmania to join the other five states as having a recognised team in the elite level netball competition

With eight teams already in the league and a number of internationals littered throughout the competition the addition of a new side could create another avenue for players to ply their trade. The inclusion of Sunshine Coast Lightning, GIANTS Netball and Collingwood Magpies went off unhitched back in 2017 with the Lightning quickly announcing themselves as a powerhouse of the competition credit to their star-studded line-up.

A new team could mean a huge shakeup to the competition as we know it with players more than likely to chop and change as shown with Geva Mentor leaving the Melbourne Vixens to join the Lightning in their inaugural season, and Collingwood poaching five Diamonds players.

Renowned as the best competition in the world, the addition of a Tasmanian side could allow for more international stars to join the fray and most importantly allow the league to maintain its mantle of dominance. Boasting players from all around the globe such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, England, Malawi and so forth the SSN has steadily made a name for itself.

With further opportunities for the highest calibre of players to come out and ply their trade it will not only aid the SSN as a whole but so too the world of netball. Since being apart of the league the likes of Mwai Kumwenda, Sam Wallace and Peace Proscovia have developed at a rate of knots able to ride that wave of physicality under the post and take their game to the next level.

On a local level the inclusion of an extra side into the SSN could bring plenty of excitement and provide further opportunity for up and coming players to secure a position. As seen throughout the increased player squad last season, Australia is bursting at the seams with dynamic and talented players itching to get permanent court time at the highest level possible.

Sunday Aryang took the competition by storm with her defensive prowess as did Adelaide Thunderbirds goaler Georgie Horjus who stole the show with her long bomb shooting and silky movement. Melbourne Vixens premiership winning midcourter Allie Smith also valued the time out on court able to showcase her impressive closing speed and read of the play to create intercepts. The point being an additional side will create further opportunities for the next generation of Australian Diamonds to get frequent court time and really hone in their craft given the change to the Australian Netball League (ANL).

If successful, Tasmania will become the fifth state to have a team in the SSN joining the likes of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia to play host to an elite netball franchise. This would have a huge influence on the sporting sphere in Tasmania after securing the rights to the Tasmanian JackJumpers in the NBL to further paint the Apple Isle as a sporting destination.