Netball NSW today announced that it had reached an agreement to transfer ownership of the GIANTS Netball Super Netball licence to the Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) ahead of the 2027 season.
The new-look franchise will remain in the growing Western Sydney market, with a team name, logo and colours to be unveiled in due course. The team intends to continue to play home games at Sydney Olympic Park for the upcoming season.
The decision to transfer the licence from 1 October 2026 ensures certainty as the new franchise looks to secure players in the upcoming Super Netball contracting window. Current Head Coach Nerida Stewart and Assistant Coach Jen Wright also remain in their respective roles through 2027, as contracted.
SEG, an Australian sports media, content and entertainment business, already successfully operates the Melbourne Mavericks Super Netball team, as well two Women’s National Basketball clubs.
Netball NSW established and introduced the GIANTS as the second NSW-based Super Netball team in 2017, with the support of strategic partners GWS GIANTS, to ensure the strength of netball across the state was reflected at the elite level and to further encourage the game’s growth, including in Western Sydney.
Netball NSW will continue to own and operate the NSW Swifts Super Netball team, which has a strong supporter base and long history of success and legacy built over three decades.
The historic agreement to transfer the GIANTS Netball licence to a commercial operator represents the next chapter in the development of netball in NSW and the Super Netball League. Netball NSW looks forward to working closely with SEG to ensure that the new franchise is successful, including to ensure a smooth transition of the licence well ahead of the 2027 season, and to collaboratively grow the game of netball in NSW for the benefit of the entire netball community.
Netball NSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner said: “The sale and transfer of the GIANTS Netball licence represents a new era for the Super Netball competition and the game in this state. Netball NSW is extremely proud of what has been achieved with GIANTS Netball and the part this team has played in attracting new fans, encouraging more grassroots participants and providing a pathway to the elite level for many talented athletes. We thank our commercial partners, members and fans for their incredible support over the past decade.
“With the new owners and, importantly, future investment, now is the right time to transition to a new team that can build on the strong foundations created by the GIANTS and expand Super Netball’s fanbase in Sydney’s west. We are excited by the prospect of working collaboratively with SEG to help grow the entire netball ecosystem across NSW, further increasing participation, engagement and visibility for the sport at all levels."
Netball NSW extends its gratitude to the GWS GIANTS for their unwavering support in the strategic management and development of GIANTS Netball over the past ten years.
ENDS
