Albany Netball Association a step away from new season after proposing a start date

Albany Netball Association is likely to start its season on July 18, after yesterday’s Netball WA announcement that full-contact training and competitions can resume from this Saturday around the State. The ANA executive committee has recommended the mid-July start date but it will need to be approved by the general committee at its next meeting on June 17. The ANA is in negations with Mt Barker and Denmark Recreation Centre to discuss the possibility of some fixtures being played outside of Albany. ANA president Trish Hines said everyone was excited about returning to the court. “Getting people back on court is really exciting,” Hines said. “There has been a lot of discussion about when netball is going to return because players are just keen to get back on the court. “Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre have been fantastic in assisting the ANA implement our Return to Netball procedures. “They are doing a great job getting organised for our return to play. “Netball WA have been fantastic, they are a body to go to for direction. “We had a presidents’ meeting with them last week and it looks like most competitions will be looking to start roughly the same time.” To maximise the season, the ANA is modelling a set of draft fixtures around six teams competing in each grade, which would see teams play each other twice before a finals series. It is also looking at playing two fixtures on a Sunday. Netball WA announced yesterday that community netball could resume full-contact training and indoor and outdoor competitions from this Saturday, in phase three of the return to community netball road map. Hines said people still needed to do the right thing. “Coaches need to complete a COVID-19 safety certificate and we will limit training times to ensure there’s enough time to clean and get people out of the courts,” she said.