Railways, Sonix join netball top flight

The Albany Netball Association will have two new teams in the upcoming season after newly formed club Railways and 2013 premiers Sonix signalled their intentions to play in the A1 competition.

A team under the Railways Football and Sporting Club banner’s recent submission to the ANA seeking permission to join the A1 fold has been approved.

Sonix won the A1 premiership back in 2013 and competed at A1 level from 2011-2014 and have also informed the ANA of their aim to return to the top flight competition in 2019.

ANA president Trish Hines confirmedyesterday both were A1-bound.

“There is a bit of movement,” she said.

“Railways are a new club with a standalone A1 team, so that’s pretty exciting. Sonix have also signalled their intentions to return to A1 after a couple of years out.

“There’s been a few new A1 girls come to town which Railways have picked up and a few coming up through the ranks. Sonix will have a few A2 players in their team.

“We haven’t had grading yet but both will be A1 teams.”

Railways and Sonix have submitted uniforms for approval by the ANA, which is the final step in their application to play.

Hines said the A1 was likely to have eight or nine teams this season, mainly depending if Kangas fielded two sides.

Clubs are holding trials over the next few weeks and Hines said final decisions would be reached after grading for each division.

Hines said Marvels would also join the ANA ranks in a lower grade.

ANA registrations are due in mid-March and the new season is set to start in late April, possibly on April 27.