Netball ACT will kick-off its delayed State League competitions with a double-header and have stretched out the season to accomodate a men's league.
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Competition officials released the State League draws for all three divisions and the men's league on Wednesday night, with the season to start on July 17 at Lyneham Netball Centre.
The season has been extended from 10 regular rounds to 14 to fit the men's competition in the league's schedule. Each division will have a bye round every four weeks, meaning teams still play 10 matches.
The State League competition will kick off with a double-header to ensure it finishes by October 31, with all four divisions to play over the opening weekend.
Division one and two will play on the Friday night as usual, while the under 19's and men's league start their seasons on Sunday, July 19.
Canberra Netball Association will launch their division one title defence against Belconnen, while grand finalists Arawang play South Canberra. Tuggeranong will meet Queanbeyan in the third match to round out week one.
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Canberra centre Tamara Weatherburn says the reigning premiers are ready to launch their bid for a second-straight title, but is more so excited to finally get back on court.
"It would be really nice to be back in that grand final but I think first and foremost, it's about getting back on court," Weatherburn said.
"We've been reintroducing some contact and contest over the past few weeks and building into some match play. We're just excited to get back on court and take it one game at a time.
"There's going to be a lot of unknown combinations this year in particular, but there's strengths across all teams.
"We've been against Arawang in the last two grand finals so we know they're coming out strong, as well as the other teams."
The Capital Darters' inaugural Australian Netball League season has been cancelled, while the Capital Spirit will launch their NSW Premier League campaign against North Shore United on July 22.
Many of Canberra's elite netballers, like Weatherburn, play across these competitions and State League. Although it's been a disruptive start to Spirits' inaugural season, the midcourter says players have stayed connected with both their teams online to prepare.
"It's been a disruptive start to the year and we do have a lot of our athletes in different programs. It's been really important to keep up our communication and stay connected, so we're ready for round one," Weatherburn said.
"It's been really great but nothing beats going back on court, we're really excited."
Netball ACT has confirmed the format and locked in dates for the Junior Championships, with the competition to take place over sevens weeks in August and September.