Netballers across Tasmania will have the chance to meet a number of Origin Australian Diamonds athletes across the South Africa Series with a variety of experiences open to the public to sign up. The community engagement activity coincides with the No.1 ranked team in the world, the Diamonds, hosting the SPAR Proteas in a three match South Africa Series next month.
The series includes, for the first time since 2016, two Tasmanian matches to be played at Hobart’s MyState Bank Arena on Sunday 29 and Tuesday 31 October. It will mark the first time the Australian national team has played in the state’s capital.
Across the series, players and fans of all levels will have the opportunity to interact with a number of Diamonds athletes across several community engagement activities, including skill sessions. Netballers in Tasmania’s north and north-west can sign up to attend multiple netball clinics in Launceston from 11.00am on Saturday 28 October and Ulverstone from 3.30pm on Wednesday 1 November. These clinics will provide skills and drills opportunities featuring meet and greets with Diamond squad members. Further information regarding which Diamonds athletes will be attending the skills sessions will be communicated shortly.
Tasmanian netball fans will get an exclusive insight into the Diamonds preparations ahead of their second match against South Africa, with an open training session to be held at South-East Stadium in Sorell on Saturday October 28th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The exclusive session will be followed by player signings and photo opportunities for fans to capture a special piece of the International Test Series history.
“Netball Tasmania are thrilled to welcome the world champion Diamonds to Tasmania for back-to-back test matches,” said Netball Tasmania CEO Mitch Coulson.
“Netball Australia, Netball Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government have worked hand in hand to ensure Diamonds players will be appearing at community events across the North-West, North and South of the state to provide young netballers the opportunity to meet their sporting heroes.”
Tasmanian Sport and Recreation Minister, Nic Street, said the community opportunities will be a wonderful edition to the Diamonds’ Tasmanian visit.
“I’m thrilled that Netball Australia will partner with Netball Tasmania to deliver community outreach programs that connect local and regional players of all levels with our international stars,” Street said.
“We hope this opportunity will inspire more young netballers to achieve their dreams of representing their country.
“This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to making elite sport accessible to Tasmanians, as well as providing young netballers with a pathway towards the top level and showcasing our state as a premier events and tourism destination.”
Netball Tasmania CEO Mitch Coulson echoed Minister Street’s sentiment.
Fans can sign up for the clinics and open training session from tomorrow, Tuesday 10 October, from 10.30am AEDT via PlayHQ HERE.
Tickets to see the Origin Australian Diamonds compete in Hobart and Cairns are available via Ticketek.
All South Africa Series matches will be broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Sports, available through Foxtel and Kayo Freebies.
