Giants Netball

Last updated

Giants Netball
Giants Netball Logo.svg
Founded 2016
Based in Greater Western Sydney
Regions New South Wales
Home venue Ken Rosewall Arena
Head coach Julie Fitzgerald
Captain Joanne Harten & Jamie-Lee Price
League Suncorp Super Netball
2023 placing6th
Website www.giantsnetball.com.au
Kit body giants19h.svg
Kit body netball.svg
Kit skirt netball.svg

Uniform

GWS Giants departments
Australian football pictogram.svg
Australian rules football
(men's) 		Australian football pictogram.svg
Australian rules football
(women's) 		Netball pictogram.svg
Netball
(women's)

Giants Netball (stylised as GIANTS Netball) are an Australian professional netball team based in Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales. Since 2017 they have played in Suncorp Super Netball. The team was formed in 2016 as a joint venture between Netball New South Wales and Greater Western Sydney Giants. Giants have played in two grand finals (2017, 2021) and have won two minor premierships (2018, 2021). [1] [2] [3]

Contents

History

New franchise

In May 2016, Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand announced that the ANZ Championship would be discontinued after the 2016 season. In Australia it was replaced by Suncorp Super Netball. The founding members of Suncorp Super Netball included the five former Australian ANZ Championship teams – Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, New South Wales Swifts, Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever; plus three brand new franchises: Collingwood Magpies, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Giants Netball. [4] [5] [6] [7] Giants were formed as a joint venture or "strategic alliance" between Netball New South Wales and Greater Western Sydney Giants and were officially launched in September 2016. [3] [7] [8]

Julie Fitzgerald era

In August 2016, Julie Fitzgerald was announced as the inaugural head coach of Netball New South Wales's new franchise. [9] [10] [11] [12] Two veteran New South Wales Swifts players, Kimberlee Green and Susan Pettitt, subsequently switched to the Giants. [13] Green was named the inaugural Giants captain. [14] Giants went onto finish the 2017 season as runners-up after losing 65–48 to Sunshine Coast Lightning in the grand final. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

In 2018, Fitzgerald guided Giants to the minor premiership. However, in the final series they lost out to both West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning. [20] [21] In 2021, Fitzgerald guided Giants to a both a second minor premiership and a second grand final. [22] [23] [24] However, in the grand final they lost out to New South Wales Swifts. [25] [26] [27] [28]

Regular season statistics

SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
2017 [15] [16] [29] 3rd1004
2018 [20] [21] 1st1013
2019 [30] [31] 5th716
2020 [32] [33] 6th527
2021 [34] 1st905
2022 [35] 3rd806
20236th509

  Grand finalists
  Minor Premierships
  Minor Premierships and Grand finalists

Grand finals

SeasonWinnersScoreRunners UpVenueAttendance
2017 [17] [18] [19] Sunshine Coast Lightning 65–48Giants Netball Brisbane Entertainment Centre 8,999
2021 [25] [26] [27] [28] New South Wales Swifts 63–59Giants Netball Nissan Arena 3,650

Home venues

Giants made their Suncorp Super Netball on 18 February 2017 against New South Wales Swifts at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. Between 2017 and 2019, Giants played their home matches at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Qudos Bank Arena and the AIS Arena. [36] [37] [38]

In 2020, together with Swifts, Giants were due to start to playing their home games at the Ken Rosewall Arena. [39] However these plans were put on hold until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [40] [41] [42]

Years
Ken Rosewall Arena [2] 2021–
AIS Arena [42] [38] 2017–2019
Qudos Bank Arena (Note 1) 2017–2019
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (Note 2) [36] 2017–2019
International Convention Centre Sydney [37] 2018
Notes

Notable players

2024 squad

Giants Netball 2024 playing roster
NatNamePosition(s)DoBHeightNotes
ENGJo HartenGS/GA21/03/19891.83m (6ft)Head Coach: Julie Fitzgerald
AUSMatisse LetherbarrowGS/GA07/01/20021.88m (6ft 2in)Assistant Coach:
AUSSophie DwyerGA/GS05/12/20011.83m (6ft)-(C)= Captain
ENGChelsea Pitman (TRP)WA/GA08/06/19881.81m (5ft 11.5in)-(CC)= Co-Captain
AUSMaddie Hay (IN)WA/C/WD11/04/19951.74m (5ft 9in)-(VC)= Vice-Captain
AUSJamie-Lee PriceC/WD10/01/19961.79m (5ft 10in)-(TP)=Training Partner
AUSAmy SligarC/WD/WA13/03/20021.75m (5ft 9in)-(RP)= Replacement Player
NZLSam WindersWD/C/WA05/06/19951.78m (5ft 10in)-(TRP)= Temporary Replacement Player
JAMJodi-Ann WardGD/WD/GK01/09/19941.78m (5ft 10in)-(IN)= Injury
AUSErin O'BrienGD/GK03/01/20051.89m (6ft 2in)-(MAT)= Maternity Leave
AUSMatilda McDonnellGK/GD22/06/20001.84m (6ft)



Internationals

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Fast5
Flag of England.svg  England

Captains

Years
2016–2019 Kimberlee Green [14] [43]
2019–2023 Joanne Harten [44] [45] [46]
2024– Joanne Harten & Jamie-Lee Price

Award winners

Suncorp Super Netball

Young Star Award
SeasonPlayer
2019 [47] Amy Parmenter
2021 [48] Sophie Dwyer
SSN Team of the Year
SeasonPlayers
2017 [29] Reserves: Serena Guthrie, Rebecca Bulley
2018 [49] C: Serena Guthrie, Reserves: Joanne Harten, Kimberlee Green
2020 [50] GA: Kiera Austin
2021 [48] GA: Joanne Harten, WA: Maddie Hay, Reserve: Jamie-Lee Price
2022WD: Amy Parmenter, Reserve: Joanne Harten

Giants awards

HCF Giants Most Valued Player
SeasonPlayer
2017 [15] [16] Serena Guthrie
2018 [20] [21] Joanne Harten
2019 [30] Joanne Harten
2020 [32] Kiera Austin
2021 [51] [52] Joanne Harten

Source: [53]

Giants Players' Player award
SeasonPlayer
2017 [15] [16] Rebecca Bulley
2018 [20] [21] Joanne Harten
2019 [30] Samantha Poolman
2020 [32] Kiera Austin
2021 [51] [52] April Brandley

Source: [54]

Giants Members' Player of the Year
SeasonPlayer
2017 [15] [16] Joanne Harten
Samantha Poolman
2018 [20] [21] Joanne Harten
2019 [30] Amy Parmenter
2020 [32] Amy Parmenter
2021 [51] [52] Sophie Dwyer

Source: [55]

Head coaches

CoachYears
Julie Fitzgerald [12] [15] [20] [30] [24] 2016–

Giants Netball Academy

Giants Netball Academy are the reserve team of Giants Netball. They originally played as Canberra Giants. [56] [57]

Premierships

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References

  1. ↑ "History". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 "GIANTS Netball". supernetball.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  3. 1 2 "GIANTS Netball Joins the Family". www.gwsgiants.com.au. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  4. ↑ "Eight team Australian national league to begin in 2017". www.abc.net.au. 11 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "New netball League a breakthrough for women's sport". www.abc.net.au. 16 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Netball Australia confirms new eight-team division and bumper broadcasting deal". www.abc.net.au. 19 May 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Netball Australia – Annual Report 2016" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Netball NSW – 2016 Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  9. ↑ "Julie Fitzgerald leaves Waikato-BOP Magic to head up new franchise in Sydney". stuff.co.nz. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "Julie Fitzgerald returns to Netball NSW as head coach of new team". www.smh.com.au. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Former Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald to helm new netball team backed by AFL Giants". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 3 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Fitzgerald excited by new team venture". giantsnetball.com.au. 25 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  13. ↑ "NSW Swifts departures continue as crosstown rivals announce team". www.theguardian.com. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  14. 1 2 "Green appointed inaugural captain". giantsnetball.com.au. 17 December 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2017 (GIANTS Netball)". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Netball NSW – 2017 Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  17. 1 2 "Lightning named Suncorp Super Netball Champions". supernetball.com.au. 17 June 2017. Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  18. 1 2 "Super Netball: Sunshine Coast Lightning emphatically beat Giants in inaugural grand final". www.abc.net.au. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Sunshine Coast Lightning blow out Giants to win inaugural Super Netball title". www.theguardian.com. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2018 (GIANTS Netball)". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Netball NSW – 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  22. ↑ "GIANTS claim minor premiership". supernetball.com.au. 7 August 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "Giants clinch minor premiership to set up preliminary final against Swifts". www.smh.com.au. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  24. 1 2 "2021 Grand Final Wrap". supernetball.com.au. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  25. 1 2 "NSW Swifts celebrate Super Netball grand final triumph over Giants". www.theguardian.com. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  26. 1 2 "NSW Swifts beat Giants in Super Netball grand final to win second title in three seasons". www.abc.net.au. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  27. 1 2 "NSW Swifts win 2021 Grand Final". supernetball.com.au. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  28. 1 2 "Swifts dedicate 'incredible' grand final win to locked-down NSW". www.smh.com.au. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Super Netball 2017 wrap: Highs, lows, stars, stats and moments that mattered". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "2019 (GIANTS Netball)". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  31. ↑ "Netball New South Wales – 2019 Annual Report" (PDF). nsw.netball.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "2020 (GIANTS Netball)". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  33. ↑ "Ladder 2020". supernetball.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  34. ↑ "Ladder 2021". supernetball.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  35. ↑ "Suncorp Super Netball 2022 Ladder". Livesport.com.
  36. 1 2 "GIANTS Netball to open season at home". giantsnetball.com.au. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  37. 1 2 "Netball's plea: Don't forget us in stadium splurge". www.smh.com.au. 6 July 2018.
  38. 1 2 "Giants Netball forced out of Canberra due to indefinite AIS Arena closure". www.canberratimes.com.au. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "Coach challenges Swifts to lift: 'I want us to make a statement'". www.smh.com.au. 14 November 2019.
  40. ↑ "NSW Swifts off to Queensland for majority of 2020 season". nswswifts.com.au. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  41. ↑ "NSW Swifts & Giants relocating to Queensland immediately". nswswifts.com.au. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  42. 1 2 "2021 Fixture Announced". giantsnetball.com.au. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  43. ↑ "Kim Green Announces Retirement From Netball". supernetball.com.au. 21 August 2019.
  44. ↑ "2020 GIANTS Netball Captains Announced". giantsnetball.com.au. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  45. ↑ "Suncorp Super Netball: Jo Harten proud to be named GIANTS' captain". www.skysports.com. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  46. ↑ "Giants name new leader for Super Netball season". westernweekender.com.au. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  47. ↑ "Parmenter Takes Out Rookie of the Year". supernetball.com.au. 30 November 2019.
  48. 1 2 "Australian Netball Awards". Netball Australia. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  49. ↑ "Suncorp Super Netball 2018 Team Of The Year". supernetball.com.au. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  50. ↑ "Fowler wins third Player of the Year Award". supernetball.com.au. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021.
  51. 1 2 3 "Harten Claims Third MVP". giantsnetball.com.au. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  52. 1 2 3 "Harten, Dwyer and Brandley take home GIANTS honours". supernetball.com.au. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  53. ↑ "HCF Most Valuable Player". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  54. ↑ "Players' Player". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  55. ↑ "Members' Player of the Year". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  56. ↑ "GIANTS Netball Launch New Academy". giantsnetball.com.au. 9 September 2019.
  57. ↑ "GIANTS Netball Academy". giantsnetball.com.au. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
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