2022 Opens and Under 23s Premier League teams announced

IMB South Coast Blaze has announced its 2022 Opens and Under 23s Premier League teams, with more impressive talent added to both teams for the upcoming season.

In addition to Member Associations Illawarra and Campbelltown, St George District Netball Association joins the Blaze as an Associate in 2022 and Southern Highlands and Eurobodalla Netball Associations join as Friends of the Blaze.

Five new players have joined this year’s Opens line-up, including former ANZ defender Aisha Bower who is particularly excited to join Blaze. Selene Chadrawy has been elevated into the Opens after a successful two years in Blaze’s U23s team and former 2020 contracted athlete and 2021 training partner Chelsea Bolton will be returning to the Opens side for the 2022 season. Impressive defender Belinda Sutton and dynamic NSW Swifts Academy athlete Maddy Eaton round out the new players for 2022.

Former Super Netball player Kristina Brice makes a return to the Opens team, with Blaze also welcoming back Blaze Club Captain and NSW Swifts Academy athlete Taylah Davies.

Marji Parr returns as the Opens Head Coach and Sharon Briggs as Manager in 2022 combining with Heather Smith and Kimberlee Gilmour joining the IMB South Coast Blaze as Assistant Coaches.

“It’s never easy selecting a team, however we’re particularly excited by the talent and experience in our 2022 Opens side,” said Marji.

“We have looked at expanding on our current Opens capabilities, and to bring further depth right across the court. The Opens are working extremely hard throughout our preseason, each establishing strong connections on and off the boards, which feels exciting!

“Every team member is focused on the work involved to reach success in the NSW Flagship Premier League Opens Competition and we’re fortunate to have experienced players, who are accustomed to working in high performance environments.

“Working with players of this calibre, along with the amazing Assistant Coaches, Heather Smith and Kimberlee Gilmour, really puts some serious energy in the room. We’re looking forward to the season ahead and continuing to make the Blaze family proud.”

With six returning athletes and eight new players being added to the 2022 line-up, this year promises to be an exciting year for the IMB South Coast Blaze U23s Team.

The experience of prolific shooter Ky-Mani Schwenke, 2021 NSW 17U athlete Mia Evans, Victorian midcourter Bronnee Loy, NSW Emerging Talent athlete Sharnee Behr, young gun Gabby Eaton and 2021 Captain Jess Bowden, the team is sure to gel well with the eight new athletes who bring a wealth of talent to the U23s.

2020 Captain Clare McCrohon and former NSW defender Ashleigh Selwyn make their return to Premier League after both suffering season ending knee injuries in Blaze’s 2020 debut year. Having spent 2021 on the sideline, the pair are keen to make their mark on the 2022 season.

Adding great strength and Premier League knowledge to the Blaze U23s are talented athletes Anastasia Afoa and NSW Swifts Academy athlete Papi Alaalatoa, who are both excited with their move to the South Coast. 

While current NSW Giants Academy athlete Jade Dawson will make her debut for Premier League and Blaze, she is not alone with rookies Manaia Mete, Lindsay Tui and defender Emma Mateo also making their debuts and rounding out the impressive 2022 U23s Team.

Regan Tweddle returns as Head Coach as does Jennie Webster as Assistant Coach and Lisa McCrohon as Manager. A new Apprentice Coach, Renee Dunn joins the team to finalise the IMB U23s Blaze coaching panel.

“We’ve got a great mix of returning and new athletes for the 2022 season and I’m excited to grow on the success of the last two seasons,” said Ms Tweddle.

“Working with talented young athletes and sharing the common goal of wanting to improve, to win the Championship and to demonstrate excellence both on and off the court is always an exciting part of the season’s journey. 

“It’s not just about the team but also about the training partners and how they are included. They’re also an important part of the Blaze family. We are building a strong brand for netball at Blaze and it is something that we all should be proud of.”

IMB South Coast Blaze Chairperson, Karina Franke, congratulated the athletes selected in both teams.

“We are so excited to be heading into our third year of the Premier League competition and hope to get our first full season to show what we are truly capable of,” Ms Franke said.

“I congratulate all the girls who have been re-selected and welcome all of our new players and Training Partners to the Blaze family. Bring on season 2022!”

The Netball NSW Premier League season will begin on Wednesday 6 April, at Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park, with an optional pre-season competition scheduled for Wednesday 30 March. The week beginning Monday 1 August is scheduled to be Grand Final week.

The format of the competition will change in 2022, with 14 regular-season rounds with all teams playing each other once in the opening nine before they split into Conference for the final five. Read more about the new format here.

All games can be streamed online in real time through the Origin Energy Premier League website.

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