3 minute read

Melbourne's two Super Netball teams - the Vixens and Collingwood Magpies - will be based on the Sunshine Coast to keep the competition on track.

Melbourne's two netball teams will relocate to Queensland for the second successive year to avoid any disruptions to the Super Netball schedule.

The sides left Victoria prior to round five in late May due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Melbourne Vixens based on the Sunshine Coast for the past four weeks.

They will now be joined by the Collingwood Magpies, who have been in Sydney.

Melbourne's NRL team the Storm are located on the Sunshine Coast.

The Vixens won the Super Netball title in 2020 while based in Queensland for the entire season, but have struggled after some key injuries and retirements and currently sit last on the ladder.

Super Netball chief commercial officer David Lee said they were committed to seeing the teams return to Victoria as soon as possible but were grateful for the workaround.

The relocation means the competition can follow its planned fixture, and games played without players, coaches and officials having to quarantine or self-isolate.

"Netball Australia and all Suncorp Super Netball clubs are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices the two Melbourne teams have made to ensure the 2021 season can continue," Lee said.

"I'd also like to thank the Sunshine Coast Council who have made this relocation possible and continue to be big supporters of the competition.

"We are working with the council to find ways to provide additional benefits to assist the teams, including training facilities and access to locally trained professional personnel such as physiotherapists."