When you’re making the long trip from the nation’s capital to Sydney Olympic Park each week to contest the Origin Energy Premier League, you need to be strong in spirit.
Luckily, the ACT’s expansion franchise was forward thinking when its name was chosen.
The Capital Spirit’s Opens and Under 23s sides may have endured two years of COVID-19 related interruptions, but that’s only been a mere stumbling block to their ambition. The future, they say, is bright. And the future is ready to shine.
“In the 2022 season we are looking to uphold a strong identity, to work hard, be competitive and enjoy our time together,” Opens Head Coach Kate Carpenter says.
“The Opens Team has a new look in 2022 with a number of athletes promoted from the U23s, and some new to Premier League or transitioning into the Netball ACT environment… so there is considerable up and coming talent within the group.”
And, for the first time, Spirit fans will get the opportunity to see why their team travels to Sydney each week, with the side set to host a regular-season game in Canberra for the first time.
“Overall, I’m most looking forward to an uninterrupted season and the opportunity to play at home in Canberra at the SolarHub ACT Netball Centre,” Carpenter adds.
Tara Steel, Head Coach of the Spirit Under 23s side, feels her players are ready to push the foundation franchises in 2022.
“This year we want to build on the past two seasons of our involvement in the Premier League and continue to challenge to be tenacious and a contender in the competition,” she says.
“Our aim is to lift our performance individually and collectively, and in turn achieve success and results on court. Every team will be tough, and we want to take it one week at a time.
“With five new athletes as well as a new Head Coach, there is a blend of experience and some exciting new talent, which has sparked some great connections throughout the team.
“The past two years have shown mixed results and all teams are very competitive and can challenge each other on any given day.
“I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to compete, to test ourselves, to lift our performance, and show other teams what we are capable of.”
The opportunity to shine isn’t far away with the Premier League returning in early April, and the Spirit are no longer there to find their feet - this year they intend to make an impression.
Find out more about tThe Capital Spirit teams by visiting their Team Bios page on the Origin Energy Premier League website: https://www.nnswpremierleague.com.au/premier-league-teams/capital-spirit/
