Giants Netball
{{Short description|Australian netball team}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox netball team
| team name = Giants Netball
| image = Giants Netball Logo.svg
| imagesize = 120px
| founded = 2016
| location = Greater Western Sydney
| regions = New South Wales
| venue = Ken Rosewall Arena
| chairperson =
| coach = Julie Fitzgerald
| manager =
| captain = Joanne Harten & Jamie-Lee Price
| league = Suncorp Super Netball
| season = 2023
| position = 6th
| body1 =
| pattern_b1 = _giants19h
| skirt1 = #F37A1F
| pattern_sk1 =
| url ={{URL|http://www.giantsnetball.com.au/}}
|vice-captain=}}
| class="infobox" style="width: 20em; font-size: 95%em;" |
| style="color:#F15C22; background:#FFFFFF; text-align:center;"
!colspan="3" style="text-align: center"|GWS Giants departments |
| style="text-align: center"
|40px |40px |40px |
Giants Netball (stylised as GIANTS Netball) are an Australian professional netball team based in Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales. Since 2017 they have played in Suncorp Super Netball. The team was formed in 2016 as a joint venture between Netball New South Wales and Greater Western Sydney Giants. Giants have played in two grand finals (2017, 2021) and have won two minor premierships (2018, 2021).{{cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/history|title=History|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|access-date=28 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://supernetball.com.au/team/giants-netball|title=GIANTS Netball|publisher=supernetball.com.au|access-date=1 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/news/78013/giants-netball-joins-the-family|title=GIANTS Netball Joins the Family|publisher=www.gwsgiants.com.au|date=22 September 2016|access-date=29 September 2021}}
History
=New franchise=
In May 2016, Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand announced that the ANZ Championship would be discontinued after the 2016 season. In Australia it was replaced by Suncorp Super Netball. The founding members of Suncorp Super Netball included the five former Australian ANZ Championship teams – Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, New South Wales Swifts, Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever; plus three brand new franchises: Collingwood Magpies, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Giants Netball.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-11/8-team-australian-national-netball-league-to-begin-2017-reports/7404050|title=Eight team Australian national league to begin in 2017|publisher=www.abc.net.au|date=11 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-19/netball-new-league-a-breakthrough-for-womens-sport/7429470|title=New netball League a breakthrough for women's sport|publisher=www.abc.net.au|date=16 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-19/netball-australia-confirms-new-eight-team-division-tv-deal/7427934?pfmredir=sm|title=Netball Australia confirms new eight-team division and bumper broadcasting deal|publisher=www.abc.net.au|date=19 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://netball.com.au/sites/default/files/2019-06/Annual-Report-2016.pdf|title=Netball Australia – Annual Report 2016|publisher=netball.com.au|access-date=13 May 2021}} Giants were formed as a joint venture or "strategic alliance" between Netball New South Wales and Greater Western Sydney Giants and were officially launched in September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/10/06143231/2016-NNSW-Annual-Report.pdf|title=Netball NSW – 2016 Annual Report|publisher=Netball NSW|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630013613/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/10/06143231/2016-NNSW-Annual-Report.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2020|access-date=28 June 2020}}
=Julie Fitzgerald era=
In August 2016, Julie Fitzgerald was announced as the inaugural head coach of Netball New South Wales's new franchise.{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/82722971/julie-fitzgerald-leaves-waikatobop-magic-to-head-up-new-franchise-in-sydney|title=Julie Fitzgerald leaves Waikato-BOP Magic to head up new franchise in Sydney|publisher=stuff.co.nz|date=2 August 2016|access-date=22 September 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/netball/julie-fitzgerald-returns-to-netball-nsw-as-head-coach-of-new-team-20160802-gqjdgn.html|title=Julie Fitzgerald returns to Netball NSW as head coach of new team|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=3 August 2016|access-date=23 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/former-swifts-coach-julie-fitzgerald-to-helm-new-netball-team-backed-by-afl-giants/news-story/973989d15e83778dcf5a89ee8fc718ac|title=Former Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald to helm new netball team backed by AFL Giants|publisher=www.dailytelegraph.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308205437/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/former-swifts-coach-julie-fitzgerald-to-helm-new-netball-team-backed-by-afl-giants/news-story/973989d15e83778dcf5a89ee8fc718ac|archive-date=8 March 2017|date=3 August 2016|access-date=23 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.giantsnetball.com.au/fitzgerald-excited-by-new-team-venture/|title=Fitzgerald excited by new team venture|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403194604/http://www.giantsnetball.com.au/fitzgerald-excited-by-new-team-venture/|archive-date=3 April 2019|date=25 October 2016|access-date=28 September 2021}} Two veteran New South Wales Swifts players, Kimberlee Green and Susan Pettitt, subsequently switched to the Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/22/nsw-swifts-departures-rivals-announce-team|title=NSW Swifts departures continue as crosstown rivals announce team|publisher=www.theguardian.com|date=22 September 2016|access-date=17 December 2020}} Green was named the inaugural Giants captain.{{cite web|url=http://www.giantsnetball.com.au/green-appointed-inaugural-captain/|title=Green appointed inaugural captain|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401051538/https://giantsnetball.com.au/green-appointed-inaugural-captain/|archive-date=1 April 2019|date=17 December 2016|access-date=28 September 2021}} Giants went onto finish the 2017 season as runners-up after losing 65–48 to Sunshine Coast Lightning in the grand final.{{Cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/2017|title=2017 (GIANTS Netball)|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|access-date=23 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/10/02135948/2017-Annual-Report-ex-Financials-2MAR18.pdf|title=Netball NSW – 2017 Annual Report|publisher=Netball NSW|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111102825/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/10/02135948/2017-Annual-Report-ex-Financials-2MAR18.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2021|access-date=28 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://supernetball.com.au/2017/06/17/lightning-named-suncorp-super-netball-champions/|title=Lightning named Suncorp Super Netball Champions|publisher=supernetball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617134003/https://supernetball.com.au/2017/06/17/lightning-named-suncorp-super-netball-champions/|archive-date=17 June 2017|date=17 June 2017|access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-17/sunshine-coast-lightning-beat-giants-super-netball-grand-final/8627882|title=Super Netball: Sunshine Coast Lightning emphatically beat Giants in inaugural grand final|publisher=www.abc.net.au|date=17 June 2017|access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/17/sunshine-coast-lightning-blow-out-giants-to-win-inaugural-super-netball-title|title=Sunshine Coast Lightning blow out Giants to win inaugural Super Netball title|publisher=www.theguardian.com|date=17 June 2017|access-date=26 December 2020}}
In 2018, Fitzgerald guided Giants to the minor premiership. However, in the final series they lost out to both West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning.{{Cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/2018|title=2018 (GIANTS Netball)|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|access-date=23 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/08113918/Annual-Financial-Report-2018.pdf|title=Netball NSW – 2018 Annual Report|publisher=Netball NSW|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111130952/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/08113918/Annual-Financial-Report-2018.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2021|access-date=28 June 2020}} In 2021, Fitzgerald guided Giants to a both a second minor premiership and a second grand final.{{cite web|url=https://supernetball.com.au/news/giants-claim-minor-premiership|title=GIANTS claim minor premiership|publisher=supernetball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807075918/https://supernetball.com.au/news/giants-claim-minor-premiership|archive-date=7 August 2021|date=7 August 2021|access-date=29 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/netball/giants-clinch-minor-premiership-to-set-up-preliminary-final-against-swifts-20210807-p58gpj.html|title=Giants clinch minor premiership to set up preliminary final against Swifts|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=7 August 2021|access-date=29 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://supernetball.com.au/news/2021-grand-final-wrap|title=2021 Grand Final Wrap|publisher=supernetball.com.au|date=30 August 2021|access-date=26 September 2021}} However, in the grand final they lost out to New South Wales Swifts.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/28/suncorp-super-netball-nsw-swifts-giants-briony-akle-maddy-turner-paide-hadley-proud|title=NSW Swifts celebrate Super Netball grand final triumph over Giants|publisher=www.theguardian.com|date=28 August 2021|access-date=29 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-28/nsw-swifts-beat-giants-in-super-netball-grand-final/100415496|title=NSW Swifts beat Giants in Super Netball grand final to win second title in three seasons|publisher=www.abc.net.au|date=28 August 2021|access-date=29 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://supernetball.com.au/news/nsw-swifts-win-2021-grand-final|title=NSW Swifts win 2021 Grand Final|publisher=supernetball.com.au|date=28 August 2021|access-date=29 August 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/netball/how-bloody-good-swifts-dedicate-grand-final-win-to-locked-down-nsw-20210828-p58mqv.html|title=Swifts dedicate 'incredible' grand final win to locked-down NSW|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=28 August 2021|access-date=29 August 2021}}
=Regular season statistics=
{{legend2|#{{Netball colours|Giants Netball|1}}|Grand finalists|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#{{ANZC team colours|Queensland Firebirds|3}}"|Minor Premierships|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#{{ANZC team colours|Giants Netball|3}}"|Minor Premierships and Grand finalists|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
=Grand finals=
| class="wikitable collapsible"
! Season ! Winners ! Score ! Runners Up ! Venue ! Attendance | |||||
| 2017 | Sunshine Coast Lightning | 65–48 | Giants Netball | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | 8,999 |
| 2021 | New South Wales Swifts | 63–59 | Giants Netball | Nissan Arena | 3,650 |
Home venues
Giants made their Suncorp Super Netball on 18 February 2017 against New South Wales Swifts at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. Between 2017 and 2019, Giants played their home matches at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Qudos Bank Arena and the AIS Arena.{{cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/giants-netball-to-open-season-at-home/|title=GIANTS Netball to open season at home|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403193840/https://giantsnetball.com.au/giants-netball-to-open-season-at-home/|archive-date=3 April 2019|date=26 October 2016|access-date=28 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/netball/netball-s-plea-don-t-forget-us-in-stadium-splurge-20180706-p4zpw3.html|title=Netball's plea: Don't forget us in stadium splurge|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=6 July 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7162793/its-embarrassing-ais-arena-shutdown-forces-giants-netball-out-of-canberra/|title=Giants Netball forced out of Canberra due to indefinite AIS Arena closure|publisher=www.canberratimes.com.au|date=12 March 2021|access-date=29 September 2021}}
In 2020, together with Swifts, Giants were due to start to playing their home games at the Ken Rosewall Arena.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/coach-challenges-swifts-to-lift-i-want-us-to-make-a-statement-20191114-p53apq.html|title=Coach challenges Swifts to lift: 'I want us to make a statement'|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=14 November 2019}} However these plans were put on hold until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|url=https://nswswifts.com.au/news/nsw-swifts-queensland-majority-2020-season|title=NSW Swifts off to Queensland for majority of 2020 season|publisher=nswswifts.com.au|date=19 July 2020|access-date=18 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://nswswifts.com.au/news/nsw-swifts-giants-relocating-queensland-immediately|title=NSW Swifts & Giants relocating to Queensland immediately|publisher=nswswifts.com.au|date=29 July 2020|access-date=21 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/news/2021-fixture-announced|title=2021 Fixture Announced|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|date=12 March 2021|access-date=29 September 2021}}
| class="wikitable collapsible"
! ! Years | |
| Ken Rosewall Arena | 2021– |
| AIS Arena | 2017–2019 |
| Qudos Bank Arena {{ref|1|(Note 1)}} | 2017–2019 |
| Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre {{ref|2|(Note 2)}} | 2017–2019 |
| International Convention Centre Sydney | 2018 |
;Notes
- {{note|1|1}} Also referred to as the Sydney Super Dome.
- {{note|2|2}} Also referred to as the State Sports Centre and the QuayCentre.
Notable players
=2025 squad=
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! colspan="6" style="background:#FFA500; color:charcoal;" | Giants Netball 2025 playing roster |
| Nat
|Name |Position(s) |DoB |Height |Notes |
| ENG
|GS/GA |21/03/1989 |{{convert|1.83|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Head Coach: Julie Fitzgerald |
| AUS
|GS/GA |07/01/2002 |{{convert|1.88|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Assistant Coach: |
| AUS
|Sophie Dwyer |GA/GS |05/12/2001 |{{convert|1.83|m|ft|abbr=on}} | |
| NZL
|WA/C |07/12/1991 |{{convert|1.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | |
| AUS
|Maddie Hay (IN) |WA/C/WD |11/04/1995 |{{convert|1.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | |
| AUS
|C/WD |10/01/1996 |{{convert|1.79|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | |
| AUS
|Amy Sligar |C/WD/WA |13/03/2002 |{{convert|1.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | |
| JAM
|GD/WD/GK |01/09/1994 |{{convert|1.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | |
| AUS
|Erin O'Brien |GD/GK |03/01/2005 |{{convert|1.89|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | |
| AUS
|GK/GD |22/06/2000 |{{convert|1.84|m|ft|abbr=on}} | |
=Internationals=
;{{nb|Australia}}
| style="vertical-align:top" | * Kiera Austin | * Kristiana Manu'a
|
;{{nb|Australia|name=Australia Fast5}}
;{{nb|England}}
;{{nb|Jamaica}}
=Captains=
=Award winners=
==Suncorp Super Netball==
==Giants awards==
;HCF Giants Most Valued Player
;Giants Players' Player award
| class="wikitable collapsible"
! Season ! Player | |
| 2017 | Rebecca Bulley |
| 2018 | Joanne Harten |
| 2019 | Samantha Poolman |
| 2020 | Kiera Austin |
| 2021 | April Brandley |
{{small|Source:{{cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/players-player|title=Players' Player|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|access-date=28 September 2021}}}}
;Giants Members' Player of the Year
| class="wikitable collapsible"
! Season ! Player | |
| 2017 | Joanne Harten Samantha Poolman |
| 2018 | Joanne Harten |
| 2019 | Amy Parmenter |
| 2020 | Amy Parmenter |
| 2021 | Sophie Dwyer |
Head coaches
| class="wikitable collapsible"
! Coach ! Years | |
| Julie Fitzgerald | 2016– |
Giants Netball Academy
{{main|Giants Netball Academy}}
Giants Netball Academy are the reserve team of Giants Netball. They originally played as Canberra Giants.{{cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/news/giants-netball-launch-new-academy/|title=GIANTS Netball Launch New Academy|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|date=9 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://giantsnetball.com.au/giants-netball-academy|title=GIANTS Netball Academy|publisher=giantsnetball.com.au|access-date=31 August 2020}}
Premierships
{{Commons category|Giants Netball}}
- Suncorp Super Netball
- Runners up: 2017, 2021
- Minor Premiership: 2018, 2021
References
{{reflist|3}}
External links
- [http://www.giantsnetball.com.au/ Official website]
{{Giants Netball}}
{{Suncorp Super Netball}}
{{Netball in Australia}}
{{Netball in New South Wales}}
{{Sydney Sports Teams}}
Category:Suncorp Super Netball teams
Category:Netball teams in Sydney
Category:Netball teams in Australia