Hawks netball will kick off its 2021 season on Wednesday night - a welcome return after an 18-month hiatus as a result of the pandemic.
The championship side will open its season against the Southern Saints at 8.20pm at Oakleigh Recreation Centre. According to Championship Coach Jacqui Hansen, the line up will include a mix of veteran Hawks along with some fresh faces.
“We know that player retention has been a real challenge in netball and across many sports already this year, so we’re incredibly excited and feel very lucky that so many of our squad wanted to be a part of it again,” Hansen said.
“We’re being realistic - in Championship we know that five of our 10 players will be playing at that level for the first time.
“Our intention was for a number of them to continue to develop in Division 1 in 2020 before taking the next step, however with the 2020 season never going ahead the time is now for them to step up and grab that opportunity."
The team will be led by Captain Taylor Shannon, who will again be working as a shooter alongside fellow veteran Nat Billings. Ally Salter (midcourt) and Clare Johnson (defender) will assist Shannon by sharing the vice captaincy duties.
The U19s and Division 1 sides will also kick off their seasons tonight at Oakleigh Recreation Centre, playing at 7pm and 9.40pm respectively.
See the full 2021 championship line up below.
GOALERS
Tayla Shannon (captain)
Nat Billings
Daisy Hill
MIDCOURT
Ally Salter
Jasmine Ferguson
Enya Broadley
Kelsey Buxton
Emma Allman
DEFENDERS
Clare Johnson
Chloe Sinclair
Sally Deller
Tickets
Ticket prices begin at just $5 and can be purchased here.
Venue: Oakleigh Recreation Centre
Date: Wednesday 21 April
Times: U19 at 7pm, Championship at 8.20pm, Division 1 at 9.40pm
