Statement from Netball Victoria in response to enquiries regarding Collingwood Magpies’ decision to relinquish its Suncorp Super Netball licence at the end of the 2023 season:
While this is a disappointing outcome for the Suncorp Super Netball competition, we respect the Collingwood Magpies’ decision not to renew their licence. We know it is a decision they have not taken lightly.
We want to make it clear that this development does not reflect the robust health of the game across Victoria.
Our state remains a netball stronghold and Netball Victoria is fully committed to growing the sport from grassroots to the elite level, ensuring there are thriving pathways for our athletes, officials and administrators.
Netball Victoria is also fully committed to supporting a strong and vibrant SSN competition in 2024 and beyond.
We believe having two Victorian-based SSN teams is important if we are to develop and retain the best netballers in this state and continue to encourage grassroots participation. Victoria has the depth of players, officials and administrators, as well as the passionate netball fanbase, to enable two SSN teams to compete successfully, on and off the court.
We are working closely with Netball Australia to ensure that Victoria continues to be appropriately represented in the national competition.
We also continue to support the Melbourne Vixens as we approach finals on the back of another successful season, with strong performances on and off the court reflected in record revenues, membership figures and home game attendance.
“While this is not the outcome any of us wanted to see, we respect the decision made by Collingwood Magpies and offer our support to everyone involved, including players and officials, as they work through next steps,” said Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman.
“We firmly believe Victoria has the talent and the fanbase to sustain two teams at the elite level and we are working closely with Netball Australia and the Victorian Government on the best way forward.”
