Since joining the Netball NSW Premier League in 2020, IMB South Coast Blaze have become an important part of the competition, contributing to the strength and depth of the statewide high-performance pathway.
With a strong regional foundation, Blaze play a key role in supporting athlete development across southern New South Wales, while also attracting talent from across the broader netball landscape. This balance reflects the Premier League’s role in providing opportunities for athletes to compete at an elite level within a connected, statewide system.
Supported by associations including Illawarra District Netball Association and Campbelltown District Netball Association, along with partners such as the Illawarra Academy of Sport, Blaze continue to strengthen development opportunities both within their region and across the wider netball community. The licensee fields both Opens and 23 and under teams and delivers targeted initiatives including talent identification programs and coaching clinics.
The program is led by an experienced coaching group with strong links to the elite game. Former NSW Swifts players Marji Parr (Opens Head Coach) and Nardia Trevor (23U Head Coach) bring valuable high-performance insight, while Maria Lynch adds further expertise through her coaching experience across Australia and New Zealand.
On court, Blaze continues to provide a platform for emerging athletes to progress through the pathway. Isla Waterhouse and Izzy Christian are among those to watch in 2026, with both earning NSW state team selection and continuing their development within the Premier League environment.
Equally significant is the club’s commitment to celebrating community and culture. Blaze First Nations Round dress, designed in collaboration with Waradas First Nations State Team athlete Mia Evans and her family, reflects a strong connection to identity, heritage and inclusivity within the program.
Off court, the franchise maintains a strong commitment to community engagement. Through Talent Identification Programs for athletes aged 14–18, coaching clinics and the Blaze Cup competition, Blaze supports the ongoing connection between grassroots netball and the high-performance pathway.
As the Netball NSW Premier League continues to evolve, IMB South Coast Blaze remain an important part of the competition’s pathway network, combining regional strength with a commitment to developing athletes and supporting the growth of netball across New South Wales.
