Netball ACT is pleased to announce The Capital Spirit Open’s Squad for its inaugural Netball NSW Premier League (NNSWPL) Season.
The Opens team showcases a wealth of talented athletes from across the ACT region. Five players will be making their NNSWPL debut in 2020 - Bryanna Robinson, Carly Symons, Gemma Robinson, Maddie Robinson and Tamara Weatherburn. All debutants have been key players within the HCF State League competition and are ready to take on the challenge of what the NNSWPL season has in stall.
Familiar faces on the NNSWPL court having played in the competition for Sydney based Franchises across several years. Annabelle Marshall, Georgia Clayden, Keely Rodrigo, Leigh Kalsbeek, Millicent Boehm and Nalani Makunde are all excited to be pulling on the purple and teal for The Capital Spirit. Once again able to represent their state, showing the talent and pathways within the ACT region.
With The Capital Spirit spear headed by Head Coach, Kate Carpenter the side is set to challenge the existing Franchises and are excited for what the season has in store.
“It is an exciting opportunity; it is the newness around the competition and the team. To be able to lead a group in the NNSWPL, new athletes, new coaches and new environment that’s always fun. Sure, it comes with a lot of challenges, but that freshness is always exciting,” Carpenter said.
General Manager - Operations and Sport, Nicole Bowles is delighted by the new opportunities this team will provide as it expands the existing pathway. Creating exposure for local athletes within the ACT, seeking to close the gap in elite pathway programs for athletes from the ACT.
“This opportunity provides us with the ability to give athletes greater exposure to different competition platforms. To be able to develop The Capital Spirit as an ACT franchise will allow us to deliver on the key strategic pillars for growing our Netball community and build on the pathways and programs within the netball system.” Bowles said.
Bowles added:
“In 2020 we are thrilled to see The Capital Spirit program provide opportunities to new and existing athletes within the NNSWPL and HCF State League. Allowing Netball ACT to grow and support athletes based in the ACT region to compete at the highest levels along the development and elite pathways”
Athletes have commenced their pre-season training programs and are looking forward to the first round played on Wednesday 29 April 2020 at the Genea Netball Centre, Sydney.
The Capital Spirit Open Squad for 2020
Annabelle Marshall - Arawang Netball Association
Bryana Robinson - Arawang Netball Association
Carly Symons - Tuggeranong Netball Association
Gemma Robinson - Canberra Netball Association
Georgia Clayden - Arawang Netball Association
Keely Rodrigo - Tuggeranong Netball Association
Leigh Kalsbeek - Arawang Netball Association
Maddie Robinson - Arawang Netball Association
Millicent Boehm - Arawang Netball Association
Nalani Makunde - Canberra Netball Association
Tamara Weatherburn - Canberra Netball Association
Training Partner: Shaenice Allan - Canberra Netball Association
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About The Capital Spirit: Established in 2019 as a team within the Netball ACT high performance programs The Capital Spirit was born from a snapshot of the rich history of Canberra. We looked within our region for recognisable components of our history and story as a community and settled on the iconic “Ethos” Status. Ethos is the characteristic spirit of a culture, era and community, manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. Our vision is to create a team and brand that resonates broadly within our community, that identifies independent of any other sporting body in the region and that has strong awareness and recognition. The 2020 NNSWPL season will be in inaugural competition for The Capital Spirit Franchise.
About the Netball NSW Premier League: Founded in 2016, the Netball NSW Premier League is the pinnacle competition in the state, showcasing the best current and emerging talent NSW has to offer. It provides a local, elite platform for players, coaches, officials and administrators, and bridging opportunities to the Deakin University Australian Netball League (ANL), the feeder competition to Suncorp Super Netball.
About Netball ACT: Netball ACT is the governing body for the sport of netball within the Australian Capital Territory. With five affiliated District Associations, Netball ACT oversees the delivery of netball programs and competition for over 10,000 registered participants each year. The Member Organisation also facilitates the delivery of high-performance elite franchises within the Deakin University Australian Netball League and Netball NSW Premier League competitions.
For Media Queries:
media@netballact.com.au
0417 698 920
