2 minute read
CEO’s MESSAGE SIMONE HANSEN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - NETBALL WA
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Welcome to the 2023 Gold Industry Group
West Australian Netball League Grand Finals and congratulations to the clubs, teams, umpires and officials set to participate across the three divisions.
Firstly, a huge thank you to our competition Naming Rights Partner, the Gold Industry Group, for their ongoing support of the competition and Netball in Western Australia. GIG has shown great commitment to our sport, which is vital to its continued sustainability and success from the grassroots right up to the elite level.
Thank you to all the GIG WANL clubs, umpires, officials and volunteers for their commitment and hard work to ensure this season has been one of the best in recent memory. With COVID-19 hopefully well and truly behind us, it has been refreshing to see games go ahead uninterrupted and with excellent crowds bringing great atmosphere to the games, each and every week.
This year marked the second year with our broadcast partner Kayo Sports, which saw our matches streamed on the Kayo Freebies platform and the steaming numbers have been extremely impressive. Prior to the commencement of the final series, we already had more than more than 50,000 viewers across the competition, which has further elevated the GIG WANL competition. We also want to acknowledge our Broadcast Supplier Brightside Live who have done an amazing job creating our stream each and every week.
A new element to the season was the Men’s Rapid Round, where the teams played a hybrid version of Fast5 netball which was well received by players, coaches, officials and audiences both at the Gold Netball Centre and on Kayo Freebies.
Finally, I want to wish the clubs taking part in today’s Grand Finals all the best. A lot of work goes in week-in, week-out to preparing sides and today is your chance to take centre stage and shine.
After missing out on the Grand Final last season, the West Coast Warriors will be looking to defeat the reigning premiers the Roar in the Men’s Grand Final. A premiership win to the Roar will see them move next to the Warriors with three Men’s premierships each.
In the 20/U Division, the second placed Demons and third placed Comets both got past the reigning premiers to secure their places in the big game. They split their two regular season games so I am sure their clash will be a great battle.
The final GIG WANL match of 2023 sees the reigning champions the Western Roar seek to defend their title against the Comets. The Roar had to get there the hard way again this season after they lost the Qualifying Final to the Comets and then defeated the Sharks on Tuesday night to secure the chance for back-to-back titles.
The Comets have never won a premiership in any division, so I am sure that will inspire both their 20/U and Open sides to push just that little bit harder today.
The three contests we will witness all have the characteristics to be great finales so, on behalf of Netball WA, I hope everyone enjoys today’s grand finals and may the best teams win.
WE’RE
