Latest Mavericks & Superleague News
The FIAT Netball Superleague, combining the finest players in the UK along with international stars, has seen a change in structure over the close season. The new format sees nine teams previously competing now reduced to 8, with reigning champions and Netball East’s Superleague Franchise Hertfordshire Mavericks included. Gloria Keech, Director of Mavericks Netball said, “I’m delighted that Mavericks have been awarded a 4 year contract to compete in the Fiat Netball Superleague competition and would like to thank those people involved within the franchise”.
Playing Format
This new structure sees the playing format change; each franchise will play each other once home or away when the campaign starts. After seven rounds, those eight are split into two tiers; the top four in Tier 1 and the bottom four in Tier 2, with each side playing their three rivals home and away, designed to create more competitive fixtures.
At the end of Phase 2, the top three teams in Tier 1 will qualify automatically for the Superleague Showdown, while an eliminator will then pit bottom of Tier 1 against top of Tier 2 to take remaining slot in the Semi-Finals. The structure of the Finals will also be radically changed, with the Superleague Showdown commencing the weekend of 19th and 20th May deciding the final results and crowning the champions. Will Mavericks win it for a third time??
Coaching Structure
In other Mavericks news, October saw Ex- England and Mavericks Captain Karen Atkinson’s appointment as Head Coach of the Hertfordshire Mavericks Superleague squad. It is fantastic news that Karen has accepted this role as her experience and great understanding of performance netball will be a real benefit to Mavericks, providing them with the opportunity to be challenged and develop further. Another ex-England and Mavericks Captain, and former Assistant Coach to Mavericks Youth, Amanda Newton is joining Karen as Assistant Coach.
Former Head Coach Maggie Jackson will remain at Mavericks in the position of Director of Coaching, and has also recently been appointed as Head of Elite Coach Development at England Netball. Earlier this year Maggie led Mavericks to a second FIAT Netball Superleague title and having passed the reigns onto Karen for the forthcoming season, she is thrilled to be assisting with coach development at an elite level. Maggie said “I am delighted and very proud to be given this opportunity and really look forward to the new and exciting challenges ahead!”
This Year
Mavericks Youth have made a great start to the season with already 3 wins under their belt against Team South, Yorkshire Jets Youth and Team Northumbria Youth. With those impressive stats they look likely to retain the title and be crowned NTL Champions for a consecutive year.
Our Superleague champions start the defence of their title at home on Thursday 19th January against their local rivals Surrey Storm, a repeat of the 2011 Superleague Grand Final. Tickets have been sold out for months but, you can still catch all the action live on Sky Sports 4 from 8pm on Friday 20th January. Tickets are now on sale for all other matches and can be purchased at www.mavericsnetball.com .
Hertfordshire Mavericks are working in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Oaklands College to develop new academy programmes. These academies aimed at talented Netball players provide fantastic opportunities to combine studying and improving their netball skills. To find out further information on these coaching academies please click here.