NSW Swifts superstar shooter Sophie Fownes says this year's Girls' Team Cup, which Sydney will host for the first time, is “vital” to prepare her team for a year of redemption because it will be the first opportunity to see the new-look teams in action.
Netball Australia confirmed on Wednesday that the Super Netball pre-season round robin tournament will be held at Ken Rosewall Arena from March 22-24 and will feature all eight teams, including recent addition Melbourne Mavericks.
Defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds will be first on the field against the Melbourne Vixens in their opener. The Mavericks' first game will be against the Firebirds.
With the issue of long and protracted contracts finally resolved, teams were able to take the field and begin pre-season training.
Fawns was part of the Swifts side that lost the grand final to the Adelaide Thunderbirds last season.
While devastated by the loss, the 20-year-old tried to put a positive spin on it and channel the disappointment into coaching.
“It was really tough,” Fonz said. “Being so young and it being my first grand final, I had a lot of nerves going into the match and so did everyone else.
“Everyone really wants to win, and there's only one winner. It makes me even hungrier for this year.”
With so many changes happening during the off-season, Fownes said the girls' team cup was “vital” to get a look at the competition.
“Each player individually has their own strengths, but working together as a team is a completely different story,” Fownes said.
“It will be interesting to see how each team goes. There has been a lot of movement, which will improve the competition a little bit.
“The Sunshine Coast Lightning have some big names and the Mavs are a new team. It gives us all a bit of an advantage when it comes to season time.”
Giants Netball defender Matilda McDonnell is enjoying the pre-season and is marking the days until the season starts on April 13.
She's the only defender remaining from last year's underperforming Giants team.
“I don't think I've ever been more excited to start the season,” McDonnell said.
“We have a new roster, some new faces, it has a new vibe, which is exciting for us.
“We did not have the best seasons last year and for us this is a year of redemption. We will give everything we have this year.”
That will start in the Girls Team Cup.
“It's very valuable and sets the foundation for this season,” McDonnell said.
“It's very rare to be able to play back-to-back games and have that opportunity to build connections and combinations with your team and unit.
“It's a really good opportunity for us, because we have new faces, to come together and unite before the big things happen.”
McDonnell will have one of the toughest jobs competing with many top-tier pitchers.
“There's not going to be a week where you can rest a little bit because you're going to be playing a world-class striker or a world-class striker or a combination of the two,” she said.
“This just shows that Super Netball is the best league in the world. It doesn't make our job easy but it makes it exciting and fun because every week you have a new challenge.
“Every shooter has different strengths and weaknesses, and he's just learning how to overcome them.”
The play-in battle of last season's Finals came down to the final match of the regular rounds.
With the addition of a new team and a lot of action, this season will be even closer, McDonnell said.
“Anyone can win,” she said. “Every club and every roster is filled with amazing athletes from start to finish, including the bench.
“I think it will be an exciting season to watch and even more exciting than last season.”
Tickets go on sale February 7 via Ticketek.
Adult tickets start at $15, and children 14 and under can attend sessions over the weekend for free if tickets are purchased before March 8.
