Queensland hubs – could we see midweek practice matches?
WITH the announcement of a Queensland hub for the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season, the question must be asked about how teams will work up matchplay experience for regularly benched players without the Australian Netball League (ANL) feeder going ahead as per usual.
With all eight teams expected to share training facilities in Queensland for the remainder of the season to ensure a high performance and elite environment, there is still a question of where some teams will be based with both Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies reportedly joining the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane but no word as yet confirming the other four interstate teams.
With staggered use of facilities and multiple training courts available the three teams will be able to continue with COVID-19 protocols, with the two Victorian teams able to access training facilities despite being in isolation from the Firebirds until their two-week grace period is complete.
With confirmation that the Vixens and Magpies will go head-to-head in a couple of preseason matches prior to the season start on August 1, the next question is whether teams training at the same venues could use the facilities to host further practice matches throughout the season to gain valuable court-time away from the league, as posed by the Centre Pass Podcast during the week.
While teams will likely be based across numerous locations – most likely Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast given the two Queensland teams are based there – it would be a huge benefit for the teams if they had the opportunity to regularly test out player connections against opposition teams.
For teams with younger or less experienced players on their lists such as the Firebirds and Magpies, the addition of a mimicked gameday during the week for training partners and extended bench from the SSN squad could really aid in further developing the upcoming talent and give a real opportunity to prove their potential.
A long awaited fixture announcement is expected by the end of this week, so stay tuned on our socials for the latest updates!
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