A bid by Wests Group to secure a license in Super Netball might soon bring elite level netball back to Newcastle. The hospitality and sport conglomerate is preparing an application for one of two new SSN franchises, potentially joining the league in 2027 or 2028.
Wests Group chief executive Phil Gardner confirmed they are assembling their proposal for submission to Netball Australia, with the bid strengthened by plans for a state of the art training hub at the group’s Mayfield complex, once the home of the region’s NRL side.
The proposed facility includes a double height indoor court, a refurbished gym, player amenities, and outdoor training space demonstrating Wests’ commitment to high performance infrastructure from the outset.
Though the bid is still a work in progress, early signs suggest the region could rally behind a Super Netball team. Wests Group already owns the local NRL club Newcastle Knights, and sources say that, if successful, the new netball team could adopt the Knights’ logo, colours and name. This is a move that would unite sporting supporters under one regional banner.
However, the biggest challenge remains, venue availability. Newcastle currently lacks a modern indoor arena meeting elite level standards. Short term plans may involve using the outdated Broadmeadow entertainment centre, but long term success hinges on a proposed new 12,000 seat indoor stadium at Hunter Park. Without approved facilities, a licence may be difficult to secure.
The last time Newcastle had a national level netball presence was with the Hunter Jaegers, who competed in the former national league between 2004 and 2007.
As SSN looks to expand beyond its current eight team lineup, Netball Australia executives have emphasised that growth must be “strategic, sustainable and aligned with the long term vision” of the sport which is a standard Newcastle and Wests Group aim to meet.
For Newcastle’s fans, the potential return of elite netball backed by serious infrastructure investment and a strong sporting brand offers hope that the city could soon reclaim a place on Australia’s netball map.
More sports News HERE
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.