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Why new two-point rule introduced by Super Netball Commission is wrong for netball

Headshot of Catherine Healey
Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
Diamond Gretel Tippett takes a shot despite attention from Emily Mannix.
Camera IconDiamond Gretel Tippett takes a shot despite attention from Emily Mannix. Credit: MARK EVANS/AAPIMAGE

The decision to introduce a new two-point rule in netball just six weeks out from the season’s start is confusing, frustrating and just plain wrong.

The notion that the Super Netball Commission wanted to get “people talking about our sport” by strangely announcing a new rule without any consultation is a nightmare for both players and fans.

These are the people leading our game.

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It’s as if these same people are saying, ‘Yes die-hard netball fans, you are great but we don’t value you or your opinion’.

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“We feel very strongly that it could attract a broader base of sports fans,” SSN chair Marina Go said as reasoning for the dramatic change.

You only need to hit social media to see the thousands of messages left by fans pleading for our game to be left alone. And so far, no player or club has actually come out in favour of the new rule.

The idea of having a two-point super shot is not new for anyone remotely involved in netball.

It has been rolled out in charity events, Fast 5 competitions and generally any match deemed an up-pace version of the game we know and love.

But that’s where I believe it should remain.

What child in their right mind is going to sign up to play in defence if they can work their backside off pushing their shooter out further, only to see the long bomb drop for two points?

How are you going to convince that child that defence is actually a fun position?

Take it to the next level – you’ve got under 16s and 18s shooters and defenders playing the conventional brand of netball. And then we’re asking them to step up into the SSN environment and suddenly change everything they’ve been taught?

It’s like implementing the T20 rules in Test cricket and telling players and fans to just deal with it.

They are two different brands of the sport and both can co-exist.

But taking the traditional game and turning it into a goal-scoring frenzy purely for the entertainment of people who don’t even know or understand the game is sacrilege.

The fact players, clubs and the general public were not consulted before the rule was given the green light shows just how out-of-touch SSN is.

Melbourne Vixens star defender, and vice-president of the Australian Netball Players’ Association, Jo Weston summed it up nicely.

“The reason they didn’t do consultation on this rule change is because they knew they wouldn’t get a positive answer,” she said.

“These novelty items will make it a farce, as well as detrimental to us as Australian representatives, if we are playing week-in, week-out under different rules to what are played under at INF-sanctioned events such as the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

“It’s frustrating as we’ve worked so hard with NA to have a voice and get a seat at the table…it’s infuriating really.”

I love my netball. Have played since I was a little girl and continue to play now after the birth of my own little girl.

I have worked within netball, volunteered at junior netball and would watch at least three Super Netball (or ANZ Championship as it used to be known with New Zealand) games every weekend.

But will I watch this new SSN competition? Sadly no. I’ll stick to the ANZ Premiership competition in New Zealand where I can watch the game I love in all its glory.

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