It will be a new era for St George and Sutherland netball when the inaugural Netball NSW Premier League gets underway.
The eight-team competition runs from April 18 until August 22 with matches to be played on Wednesday nights at Netball NSW Central at Sydney Olympic Park.
Their official team names are Sutherland Stingrays and UTS St George Sparks.
As reported in The Leader on July 14 last year, Netball NSW announced the new competition to provide a pathway to elite netball with the Sparks and Stringrays granted licenses.
The other franchises are Blacktown City, Central Coast Heart, Eastwood Ryde, Manly Warringah Sapphires, North Shore United and Panthers.
Both the Sparks and Stingrays will field open age and under-20s women’s teams.
The pre-season competition for the NNSWPL starts on Wednesday and continues until March 23.
The Sparks open age team will be coached by State League title winning coach Moira Gaha.
Gaha coached St George to their maiden State League first division title in 2014.
Gaha is also the NSW under-19s coach.
Gaha said it was an exciting time for netball in the St George community.
‘‘The two teams have been working hard developing their fitness and skills,’’ Gaha said.
‘‘Our philosophy is to develop the depth of talented players, coaches and umpires in our region.
‘‘The coaching panel has spent the past year developing a panel of coaches and managers that will provide a program for the future.’’
The Stingrays open age team will be coached by NSW under-21s coach Maria Lynch, with Jennie Webster the under-20s coach.
The Stingrays held their season launch at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club on February 18.
Maria Lynch said the evolution of the Sutherland Stingrays is at the heart of the shire’s commmunity.
‘‘As one of the eight franchise licenses we represent the proud Sutherland Shire Netball Association committed to providing player pathway access from grassroots through to the Australian Diamonds,’’ Lynch said.
‘‘The coaching staff have been challenging the girls during court sessions and the expectations are positive due to the calibre of the competition playing lists assembled.’’
Sutherland Stingrays opens team: Toni Anderson; Maddie Hay, Katie Maguire, Elyssa Pierce, Quince Braeden, Leah Shoard, Cassie Staples, Megan Styles, Mel Tallent, Ashley Valeni, Doonay Van Taak.
Coach: Maria Lynch. Under-20s coach: Jennie Webster.
UTS St George Sparks opens team: Kaitlyn Bryce, Kim Commane, Natalie Eldridge, Brooke Lawrence, Belynda Loveday, Stephanie MacGougan, Claire O’Brien, Amy Parmenter, Holly Pearce, Chloe Robinson, Olivia Rowntree, Kara Styles, Nicole Styles, Laura Towell, Emma Turner.
Coach: Moira Gaha. Coaching panel includes, Heath Brown, Marcia Ella Duncan, Anne Eldridge, Alison Tucker, Regan Tweedle, Amina Fisher.