Canberra's elite netballers will have a more direct pathway to the Australian Netball League, with the 'Capital Spirit' to join the NSW Premier League in 2020.
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Netball ACT earned the right to a two-year licence following a twelve-month strategic expansion planning project.
The new franchise will give ACT-based players greater exposure to elite-level netball without having to link-up with Sydney-based clubs.
Twelve athletes currently travel to Sydney at least twice a week to train and compete in the state competition at Homebush. But having an ACT-based franchise will slash their taxing travel time by allowing them to train at Lyneham Netball Centre.
The NSW Premier League unlocks another development pathway for talented players to be recognised by Canberra Giants selectors in ANL, the feeder competition to Super Netball.
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"Our players are in a better position to step up should they be called into the Canberra Giants or even [Super Netball]," Netball ACT President, Louise Bilston, said.
"Our organisation has worked towards being in a strong commercial position and to actively focus on the delivery of a competitive and well-structured premier league franchise."
"We have a passionate and engaged community that we know will embrace this exciting new chapter of the Netball ACT story".
Capital Spirit branding will have distinct references to the "Ethos" statue outside the Legislative Assembly Building, the state flower and Brindabella Ranges.
Netball NSW also unveiled the South Coast Blaze from Illawarra to complete the league's expansion to a ten-team competition.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
