Following a recent application and selection process, Surrey Storm Netball is delighted to confirm that the team has been granted permission to compete in the 2017 Netball Superleague season.
The back-to-back champions formed part of England Netball’s post-season tender process, in which a number of 2016 franchises and other interested parties submitted applications to take part in the UK’s top level netball competition.
It was today confirmed that Surrey Sports Park has been granted a franchise spot, allowing Surrey Storm to go for a hat trick of titles next season.
The announcement also welcomes three new teams to the Superleague from 2017, with Scottish Sirens, Severn Stars and Wasps all joining to expand the league to ten teams from the next campaign.
2015 semi-finalists Yorkshire Jets have not been offered a franchise, and will therefore not compete next season. We wish them all the best with their continuing hard work and dedication to developing netball across Yorkshire.
Following the announcement, Franchise Director Gavin Baker said: “Surrey Storm is thrilled to be part of the expanding Netball Superleague. Competition was tough but we believe our long term goals, stability and drive for success and innovation made us a clear choice for inclusion.
“The expansion of the league is testament to its growing success and profile over recent years and we are excited to welcome Scottish Sirens, Severn Stars and Wasps to Surrey Sports Park from next season.”
Karen Rothery, CEO of Surrey Sports Park, said: “As the current Vitality Netball Superleague champions, we are delighted to be invited to continue as a franchise holder. Netball is a massively important sport to us here at Surrey Sports Park, and we are committed to continuing to play in the league and supporting the sport through our philosophy of developing home grown talent to thrill our superb Surrey Storm fans, who we know are the best in the league.”
England Netball Chief Executive Officer, Joanna Adams said: “We are thrilled to announce the new line-up for the 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague. Each team submitted an exceptional proposal which we are certain will make for an incredibly exciting season.
“The Superleague has continued to grow in popularity since its launch in 2005 and with record attendances and ticket sales last year, we were keen to make a bold move in growing the number of teams and the aspirations of all involved. We feel this line-up really achieves this.”
The 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague will start in February, with Super Saturday set to return and start the new campaign in style. Fixtures and tickets are expected to be available in the autumn.
The ten teams invited to take part in the 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague are as follows:
Celtic Dragons, Hertfordshire Mavericks, Loughborough Lightning, Manchester Thunder, Scottish Sirens, Severn Stars, Surrey Storm, Team Bath, Team Northumbria, Wasps.
For more information about the Netball Superleague, click here to visit the official league website.
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