There are fine margins when it comes to playing high performance sport and the Origin Energy Premier League is no exception as new franchise the Capital Spirit is finding out.
The ACT outfit, which joined Netball NSW’s elite club competition this year, has been waiting a long time to get on court. With COVID-19 putting the nation into hibernation for much of 2020, it was a wait that proved longer than expected.
But with life in the ACT and NSW resembling some kind of normality at the moment, the Spirit are delighted to be driving up the Hume Highway every Wednesday for midweek netty in Sydney Olympic Park.
“We can finally play some netball,” Opens captain Keeley Rodrigo says.
“Each team in the comp is as fast and physical as the next and I’m confident we’ve prepared enough to match them.”
After a double-digit loss in Round 1, the Spirit Opens side ran the Sutherland Stingrays – who won the inaugural Opens title in 2016 – very close a week later, going down by just four goals (49-45). The result proved the Spirit have what it takes at this level.
Tamara Weatherburn, the Opens vice-captain, jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Capital Spirit program in 2020.
“I am honoured to be a part of such a talented group and am excited by prospect of the team coming together under the leadership of such an experienced international coach in Kate Carpenter,” she said.
“The program is a very exciting opportunity for netballers in the ACT.
“I love the unity and work ethic that has already been displayed since the commencement of the program. This is an exciting pathway for future Spirit athletes, and I am very proud to be a part of the inaugural Opens team.”
For the Spirit’s Under 23s side, the goal is very similar.
“It is about creating new opportunities and facing new challenges to further develop our netball as individuals and as a team,” captain Emily Brady says.
“We have been working so hard throughout a longer pre- season than expected so I am looking forward to seeing all of our hard work pay off.”
They may still be searching for their first Premier League win as a franchise, but it’s very early days. With a marked improvement in both sides from Round 1 to Round 2, it won’t be long until they’re in the winner’s circle.
