The Netball Super is back and the 2024 edition starts off with a banger. On the opening day of the tournament, February 17, all of the 10 participating teams will converge on the court at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena for an action-packed start to the league.
As the league and the sport catch on, with talks about professionalizing and stars on the move, there are plenty of talking points, the primary one being who will earn a place in June’s Grand Final.
The major focus for 2024 revolves around the impending transformation of this campaign, as the Super League gears up for its transition into a professional league slated for relaunch in 2025.
England Netball, the sport’s governing body, initiated an open tender process in October to invite interest for participation in the newly restructured league. The announcement of the teams set to be involved is anticipated before the conclusion of this season.
However, despite lofty aspirations to enhance the fan experience with increased matches in arenas and investment in refining the “on-court product,” the majority of players presently juggle their netball careers alongside work or studies.
Super League chief executive Claire Nelson said that the players are in sync with everything the organisation is doing and “it’s about being able to pay them better and more fairly”.
“We will be looking at improving and increasing what they get paid but it will be a slow and steady move towards full professionalisation,” Claire added.
However, Manchester Thunder head coach Karen Greig said that it is a period of “uncertainty” for the league and its players.
“We have to get bums on seats and get people to follow our sport,” coach Greig said, adding that they can’t put a label on it “but what does it look like for the players?”
“We’ve got players that are doctors or teachers with careers. They’re not going to be able to just drop everything to become a full-time netballer.”
As the league starts today, let’s look at how the league is panning out.
What is the format?
The 2024 Super League consists of ten teams. The matches will be played in a home-and-away format across 18 rounds. Depending on how the teams fare, the top four will qualify to the semi-finals on June 22. The Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena will play host to the third-place play-off and the final on June 29.
The matches will be telecast across the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website and the app will start telecasting the matches from round two. The first match to be shown on the app will be between the defending champions Loughborough Lightning take on Team Bath on February 24 from 18:00 GMT.
Who are the teams participating in the league?
Cardiff Dragons
Leeds Rhinos
London Pulse
Loughborough Lightning
Manchester Thunder
Saracens Mavericks
Severn Stars
Strathclyde Sirens
Surrey Storm
Team Bath
Can Loughborough Lightning win successive champions?
As the possibility of professionalization looms, teams will be eager to demonstrate their worth and illustrate why they deserve a place in the upcoming project.
Having kept most of their key players and with shooter Ella Clark coming back to the team after an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the Lightning pose as strong contenders to retain their title.
Hot on Lightnings’ tails are London Pulse, who joined the league in 2019 but reached their maiden final last year.
Pulse, with many of the England internationals in the team, including fan favourite Funmi Fadoju and exciting young shooters Olivia Tchine and Berri Neil, will be eyeing another final.
Manchester Thunder suffered a setback with their semi-final defeat to Lightning last year; however, the four-time champions have the opportunity to match Team Bath’s record of five trophies if they secure the crown this time around.
On the other hand, the departure of Guscoth and last season’s captain Yasmin Brookes might pose challenges for Surrey Storm in their quest for a second consecutive semi-final appearance. Meanwhile, Saracens Mavericks have bolstered their squad through effective recruitment and are keen to break their streak of five seasons finishing just outside the playoff spots.
The acquisition of Mentor by Leeds Rhinos is a shrewd move, bringing invaluable experience to their team, while Severn Stars are steadily enhancing their performance following a commendable season last year.
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