Top of the table clash highlights ANZ State League Round 19

The matchup between table topping Arrows and second placed Northern Hawks is the showpiece game across the ANZ State League Round 19 and 20 will also be a celebration of the upcoming Netball World Cup. 

Round 19 and 20 will see each of the eight sides play twice across both days of the weekend with games of importance for the make-up of the top two and top four all up for grabs across both days as the ANZ State League home and away season draws towards a close 

Undefeated AYC – Friends Lexus Arrows travel north to face second placed Myrtle Ridge Northern Hawks in the game of the round on Saturday. Arrows who cannot be caught atop the league ladder will be looking for a victory to help maintain their unbeaten run whilst Hawks look to have more at stake as they fight for second spot and the all-important double chance come finals. 

Hawks who faces Arrows on Saturday and then last year’s premiers Cripps Waratah who need a win to keep their finals hopes alive on Sunday face a season defining weekend. Hawks coach Steffi Grenda was keen to see how her side matched up against these sides since they last met and also acknowledged the importance of the weekend towards their top two ambitions. 

“We’ve made steady progress since we last played these sides and it will be good to see how we match up against Arrows leading in to the finals.” 

Grenda said her side would be looking to manage some sore and injured players through the weekend to ensure they were right come finals. 

“We will be looking to manage some players through the weekend as we have been hit with injuries lately but the versatility of the group will hopefully get us through and all but secure our top two spot which is really important to us” Grenda said. 

The weekend also shapes as season defining for Bellamy’s Organic Cavaliers who like Hawks face Cripps and Arrows will need two victories and look to Hawks slipping up ahead of their Round 21 clash in order to challenge for the top two spot they have achieved in recent years.  Dannie Carstens coach of the third placed Cavaliers however said her side was focused on their own performance and results and were keen to see where they were placed prior to finals. 

“We need to focus on one game at a time at this end of the season. Every game is important and may play a part into where we may place on the ladder at the end of the season. We certainly are not relying on other team’s results.” 

Carstens said that her side was looking forward to the challenge and that her side was at full strength apart from a slight concern around mid-court player Dana Lester. 

“We are really looking forward to both matches to see where we are at, at the final stage of the roster games. Last time we didn’t play well against Cripps and struggled to get ahead on the score board, we fell into their style of play. This week we are waiting to see if Dana Lester is fit to play after a shoulder injury sustained in the Karana match last week, apart from that everyone else is fit to play.” 

In the weekends other matches North-West teams OPSM Devon and Burnie Tigers both face southern opposition in Glendon Kingston Blues and StLukes Karana Flames. Of the four sides Karana have the most at stake in matches they will be expected to win in order to establish a break on Cripps in the fight for the last remaining finals spot. 

The weekend’s matches will also serve as an opportunity for fans of the ANZ State League and netball in Tasmania to become engaged and feel apart of the upcoming Netball World Cup in Sydney. Details below. 

The Netball World Cup is coming! 

In August 2015, Sydney Olympic Park will host international netball’s pinnacle event – the Netball World Cup.  Not held in Australia since 1991, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see the world’s best netballers go head-to-head! 

The Australian Diamonds will embark upon next year’s event as reigning champions and ranked number one in the world, however they’ll face fierce competition from arch rivals, the Silver Ferns, as well as netball powerhouses England, Jamaica, South Africa and Malawi. And after hotly contested qualifying events around the world expect some surprises from some up and coming nations. 

Our 16 nations set to take part in Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 come from five regions around the world – Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Americas and Africa – and for the first time we have four African nations competing with South Africa, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia. 

Whilst the championship title is always the ultimate prize, Netball World Cup is also a celebration of the continued growth and impact of netball globally. 

How to get involved… 

As we like to say… there is a bib for everyone at NWC2015! So whether you are heading to the event or ready to cheer on the Diamonds from your lounge room in Tasmania – we are ready to bring you your own special NWC2015 fan experience. 

Unleash your social: Join the Netball World Cup conversation on social media. We love sharing your latest pics and our news on Facebook.com/netballworldcup, twitter @netballworldcup and Instagram @netballworldcup #SeeyouinSydney 

News and information hub: All news and information is announced via Centre Circle, our e/newsletter you can subscribe at nwc2015.com.au. And when it comes to our Competition Schedule, Fan Packages, FanFEST or Ticketing information, it all can be found on our website. Check it out and plan your 10 days in August! 

What: The Netball World Cup takes places every four years and brings the best netballing nations head-to-head for ten days of electric competition to crown the World Champion. 

When: Friday 7 – Sunday 16 August 2015 

Where: Sydney Olympic Park – Allphones Arena and Netball Central, the new home for netball in NSW. 

Who: The best 16 nations on the world! Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi, South Africa, Wales, Scotland, Fiji, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Zambia 

Tickets: To find out how to secure your seat at NWC2015 visit nwc2015.com.au/tickets 

For the latest result, match details and in depth statistics please view http://my.netball.com.au/go.aspx?&entityid=38951&id=DRAW 

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