Marne Fechner plays long game by ruling out upsizing until 2022

[Nergal]

 

SUPER Netball is done and won for the second year but the expansion of the competition will remain on the back burner until at least 2022.

Netball Australia boss Marne Fechner has ruled out any major upsizing of the elite competition next year, saying the number of teams playing will remain capped at eight.

All aspects of the competition will be scrutinised in an end-of-season review, but major changes — such as length of season and additional teams — will not happen for some years, Fechner said.

“We have three years with our broadcast deal,” Fechner said.

“If there was going to be an expansion, it would start after 2022.”

The season decider, won 62-59 by Sunshine Coast Lightning over West Coast Fever on Sunday, attracted a national league record crowd of 13,722 at Perth Arena.

The competition was one of the closest in any Australian sport this year, with the make-up of the final four not confirmed until the last game of the regular season.

Fechner said ensuring the sustainability of the league so it is “around in 10, 20 years” was a priority for Netball Australia, as well as ensuring a top-notch product and close competition.

“At this point there is no plan to extend past a 17-week competition,” she said.

“We have the right amount of content in the right window.”

There will be minor changes to next year’s competition draw to fit with the World Cup in the UK in late July.

Numerous stars of the international game play in Super Netball, including Fever shooter Jhaniele Fowler from Jamaica, Giants star Jo Harten and Lightning defender Geva Mentor from England, and Lightning defender Karla Pretorius from South Africa.