Suncorp Super Netball: Australian netball overview

Swifts vs Firebirds | photo taken from @supernetball on instagram

The Super Netball League which is normally known under the sponsorship name of Suncorp Super Netball or SSN is the professional league in Australia. 

The league was replaced in 2017 and included the five former Australian ANZ Championship sides (Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, New South Wales Swifts, Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever) as well as three new franchises (Collingwood Magpies, Giants Netball and Sunshine Coast Lightning). 

Fans can watch via Netball Pass in the UK and will be allowed to pay per match of which they would like to watch. For the 2025 season, the pass costs £38.99 for the whole season with all matches from a round can be watched for just £2.99. 

History of the Suncorp Super Netball: 

Captained by Geva Mentor and led by Noeline Taura, Sunshine Coast Lightning were the inaugural champions after beating giants and retained the title in 2018 after their win against West Coast Fever.

In 2024, Magpies were demised and there were speculation on who would be awarded the eighth team from that season and beyond which was given to Melbourne Mavericks. 

In 2019, New South Wales Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning battled it out for the Championship with NSW Swifts coming out on top and won their second title in 2021 after facing giants in the final. 

Melbourne Vixens were crowned champions in 2020 with West Coast Fever getting their first championship win in 2022. Adelaide Thunderbirds were back to back champions in 2023 and 2024 with finals against NSW swifts and Melbourne Vixens respectively. 

Teams also win minor premierships when the team is at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the season. Melbourne Vixens were top in 2017, 2020 and 2022 with Giants getting top spot in 2018 and 2021. Sunshine Coast Lightning got their only minor championship win in 2019 with NSW Swifts getting it in 2023 and Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2024. 

Teams and players to watch: 

Adelaide Thunderbirds: 

Thunderbirds are based in Adelaide, South Australia and play their games between Netball SA Stadium and Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Their head coach is Tania Obst (who has been with the side since 2018) with their side being led by Hannah Petty since 2020. 

Occupying the centre circle, 25 year old Tayla Williams is one to watch after being of Australian descent feeding the balls into the important places on court which makes play on court quicker and more importantly gets the goals on the board. 

GIANTS Netball: 

Giants play their games in Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales and at Ken Rosewall Arena. The side is head coached by Julie Fitzgerald with giants co-captained by both Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price for the second year. 

The side have a very young defensive third with 20 year old Erin O’Brien and 2000 born Matilda McDonell both in the Goal Defence and Goalkeeper bibs with both players one to watch as well as very experienced shooter Joanne Harten. 

Melbourne Mavericks: 

Mavericks took over from Collingwood Magpies for the 2024 season and beyond and are based at Glen Waverley, Victoria. The side play their home games at John Cain Arena and are led by head coach Tracey Neville as well as being captained by Amy Parmenter. 

Towering in at 6ft 5in, Shimona Jok plays on the Goal Shooter bib alongside England Duo of Eleanor Cardwell and Sasha Glasgow in the shooting third and the Jamaican is one to watch. 

Melbourne Vixens: 

Vixens are based in Melbourne, Victoria and play their games at either John Cain Arena or Margaret Court Arena. The side are led out by head coach Simone McKinnis and captained by Kate Moloney. 

One to watch would be goal shooter and goal attack Lily Graham who is only 19 years of age. Occupying the shooting circle alongside experienced Sophie Garbin helps her this season and is definitely one to watch. 

New South Wales Swifts: 

Based in Sydney, New South Wales Swifts play their games at Ken Rosewall Arena and are head coached by Briony Akle since 2017. Swifts have been captained by Paige Hadley and Maddy Proud since 2021 and 2019 respectively. 

A player to watch would be England International Helen Housby who plays in the goal attack and goal shooter bib. She has been with the Swifts since 2017 after moving from NSL side Manchester Thunder. 

Queensland Firebirds: 

Firebirds are based in Brisbane, Queensland and play their games at the Queensland State Netball. The side are coached by Rebecca Bulley and captained by Kim Ravaillion. 

One to watch would be Ugandan Mary Cholhok Nuba who plays in the goal shooter bib and used to play for Loughborough Lightning so many players knew about the big performer. 

Sunshine Coast Lightning: 

Lightning play their games at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland after being a joint venture with Melbourne Storm. Their head coach is Belinda Reynolds and are captained by Stephanie Fretwell from 2022. 

Stephanie Fretwell has played for the side since 2017 after moving from New South Wales and is a dominant player for the national team as well and therefore is one to watch. 

West Coast Fever: 

Fever are based in Perth, Western Australia and play their games at Perth Arena. Fever are coached by Dan Ryan and have been captained by Jessica Anstiss since last season. 

Jamaican Goal Shooter Jhaniele Fowler is one to watch this season after being fevers player of the year and leading goal scorer since 2018 (winning seven years on the trot).