The Origin Energy Premier League is set for its biggest and best season to date as it looks to bounce back from a COVID-interrupted 2020.
The 2021 competition gets underway on Wednesday 7 April at Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park and will be held over 18 regular season rounds – plus Finals – in both Opens and Under 23s divisions.
All eight foundation franchises – Central Coast Heart, ERNA Hawks, GWS Fury, Manly Warringah Sapphires, North Shore United, Panthers, Sutherland Stingrays and UTS Randwick Sparks – and the two expansion sides, IBM South Coast Blaze and The Capital Spirit, will be back chasing silverware.
North Shore United will embark on their title defence in the Opens competition having added former Swifts and Diamonds champion (and foundation GIANT) Kim Green to their coaching panel following the departure of Bec Bulley to the Swifts, while the Sparks will be the hunted in the Under 23s.
In more exciting news Netball NSW is delighted to announce a brand-new broadcast partnership with CluchTV, a live and on-demand streaming network dedicated to local sport.
Every game will be streamed across the Origin Energy Premier League website as well as the CluchTV website and app with netball fans only needing to register for a free account to watch all of the action.
Darren Simpson, Netball NSW Executive General Manager of Community and Pathways, said the Premier League’s growth was a clear sign of its success.
“At Netball NSW we are delighted to have this competition return to provide weekly competition for our athletes who aspire to play at the highest level.
“As a high-performance competition, it makes for compelling viewing both in venue and at home, and we are delighted to have CluchTV on board for this year.
“For the first time every game of the full-length season will be broadcast live and free for our netball community and I encourage everyone to tune in and see the next wave of talent we have coming through.
“We were very proud of the way athletes, coaches, staff and supporters made the competition work despite the COVID interruption last year, and in 2021 we are hoping we can have a clean run.
“I would also like to thank Origin Energy and Mizuno for their ongoing support of the Premier League again in 2021.”
Gus Seebeck, Managing Director of CluchTV, said he was very excited to bring the Origin Energy Premier League onto their platform.
“Netball is one of the biggest codes across the country and having the opportunity to broadcast its top-level state competition is a huge opportunity,” he said.
“We will be looking to highlight the athleticism, physicality and brilliant attitude of the competitors as well as provide insights into how the competition is panning out. Being able to showcase this competition across the wider netball community and beyond will help to add value to teams, athletes, sponsors and everyone involved.
“We will have Brittany Carter from ABC Sport with us as our lead commentator on Show Court weekly as well as professional players from both the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball so the analysis will be top class.”
Netball NSW is also looking to provide commentary on all courts in 2021 and is currently seeking expressions of interest from people who may wish to try their hand at commentary. Click here to provide your details if this is of interest.
