Wikipedia - Netball Superleague
The Netball Super League is a top level netball league featuring teams from the United Kingdom. The league is organised by England Netball but features teams based in England, Wales and Scotland. The league was commenced playing at the 2005–06 season, replacing the Super Cup as the elite netball competition in England. From 2016-21 the league was sponsored by VitalityHealth and, as a result, it is was known as the Vitality Netball Superleague. Since 2022 it has been known as the Netball Super League.
Historically the league's most successful teams are Team Bath, who have won five titles, and the Mavericks, who have played in seven grand finals. In more recent times, Surrey Storm won successive titles in 2015 and 2016 and Wasps have played in three successive finals, winning two titles, between 2017 and 2019. In 2019 Manchester Thunder won their third title. Umpire Gary Burgess made history in 2018 by umpiring his 10th consecutive Netball Superleague final between Manchester Thunder and Surrey Storm. Loughborough Lightning won their first title in 2021, beating Team Bath, following this up with their second title in 2023.
History
| Season | Key events |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Brunel Hurricanes, Celtic Dragons, Galleria Mavericks, Leeds Carnegie, Loughborough Lightning, Northern Thunder, Team Bath and Team Northumbria become founder members of the new Netball Superleague. |
| 2005–06 | With a squad that included Pamela Cookey, Rachel Dunn, Stacey Francis, Jess Garland, Tamsin Greenway and Geva Mentor, Team Bath win the inaugural Netball Superleague title. Team Bath subsequently dominate the early seasons of the league, winning further Superleague titles in 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2013. |
| 2007–08 | After playing and losing in the first two grand finals, the Mavericks win their first Superleague title. |
| 2008–09 | Glasgow Wildcats become the first team from Scotland to join the league. However they only play in the league for three seasons and withdraw following the 2011 season. |
| 2009–10 | Brunel Hurricanes end their partnership with Brunel University and relocate to the University of Surrey to become Surrey Storm. |
| 2012 | Northern Thunder win their first Superleague title. They subsequently change their name to Manchester Thunder before the 2013 season. |
| 2015 | After making four grand final appearances in five years, Surrey Storm win their first Superleague title. |
| 2016 | Surrey Storm retain the Superleague title. Yorkshire Jets, formerly Leeds Carnegie, play their final Superleague season. |
| 2017 | Three new franchises Severn Stars, Scottish Sirens and Wasps make their Superleague debuts. Wasps go on to win the Grand Final in their debut season. |
| 2018 | Wasps retain the Superleague title Team Northumbria play their final Superleague season. |
| 2019 | London Pulse make their Superleague debut. Manchester Thunder win their third Superleague title. Leeds Rhinos are announced as a new franchise team for 2021. |
| 2020/2021 | Following disruptions to the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, England Netball took the "difficult decision" to suspend the league until 2021. This followed consultation with the league's board as well as all 10 teams and stakeholders. The 2021 season was staged over a shortened period and behind closed doors at select venues. Loughborough Lightning win their first Superleague title. |
| 2022 | Manchester Thunder win their fourth title. Wasps Netball play their final Superleague season. |
Die Superleague Netball ist der höchste Netball-Wettbewerb im Vereinigten Königreich und einer der angesehensten der Welt. Sie wurde 2005 ins Leben gerufen und umfasst elf Mannschaften aus England, Schottland und Wales.
Die Superleague wird in einer Doppelrunde ausgetragen, wobei jede Mannschaft zweimal gegen jede andere Mannschaft antritt. Die vier bestplatzierten Mannschaften am Ende der regulären Saison erreichen die Play-offs. Die Play-offs werden in einem Halbfinal- und Finalformat ausgetragen, wobei die Siegermannschaft zur Championin der Superleague gekrönt wird.
Die Superleague ist bekannt für ihr hochklassiges Netball, bei dem einige der besten Spielerinnen der Welt antreten. Die Liga hat viele talentierte Spielerinnen hervorgebracht, darunter Helen Housby, Natalie Haythornthwaite und Jo Harten.
Die Superleague ist ein wichtiges Schaufenster für Netball im Vereinigten Königreich und hilft dabei, den Sport zu fördern und die nächste Generation von Spielerinnen zu inspirieren. Die Liga hat auch eine starke internationale Präsenz und zieht Fans aus der ganzen Welt an.