Following months of preparation, Tasmania`s 2009 ANL campaign will kick off in Brisbane this weekend, where they will take on Queensland Fusion and Singapore on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August, respectively.

 

The Tasmanian netball community can keep up to date with all of the action in this year`s competition by following the ANL link situated on front page of Netball Tasmania`s website.

 

Tasmania’s ANL team trained for the final time last Saturday, prior to focusing their attending on their first round clashes, to be held at the Cornubia Park Sports Centre in Brisbane. This is the second year of the New Idea ANL competition, which underpins the ANZ Tasman Trophy competition. Tasmania also competed in 2008 finishing in ninth position.

 

The competition commenced last weekend in Canberra, with only 2 games conducted, and will run until early September, with finals being played in mid September. The Tasmanian side will play a total of ten games throughout the competition and will travel to Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin and Adelaide for these matches.

 

Other teams competing in 2009 are the Australian Institute of Sport, NSW Waratahs, NSW Blues, Singapore, Queensland Fusion, South Australia, Northern Territory Storm, Canberra Darters, Western Australia and Victorian Fury.

 

The Tasmanian side is made up of Aurora League players from across the state, as well as two Victorian imports; Sophie O’Shea and Ashley Hardy, who both play in the Victorian State League.

 

Tasmanian players are:

The team is coached by Aaron Pigeon, who will lead his charges with a great deal of experience after coaching the side in 2008 and having also coached many state and state league teams. The Tasmanian Team is also supported by: