In a huge win for South Australian netball fans, the Malinauskas Labor Government has secured the rights for Adelaide to host the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, and a new home for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The playoff for the 2024 premiership will take place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, with dates to be announced once the Suncorp Super Netball fixture is finalised.
The major event to is expected to attract netball fans from South Australia and interstate.
The announcement comes as the State Government confirms it has reached agreement to secure the Adelaide Entertainment Centre as the new home court for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Discussions facilitated by the State Government with Netball SA and the Adelaide Thunderbirds management have paved the way for South Australia’s premier netball team to play their homes games at the AEC from next season, allowing them to grow their passionate fan base even further.
In turn, the move of elite netball to the Entertainment Centre will allow the State Government to begin immediate work developing a plan to rejuvenate the ageing Netball SA Stadium at Mile End.
Bringing the 25-year-old Mile End stadium up to modern day standards will allow the government to better cater for the growing sport and maximise community participation in the future.
With Netball SA having close to 35,000 members, South Australia’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, said the announcement was monumental for the Thunderbirds and for South Australia.
“Our state is developing a reputation for securing outstanding major events, and I’m thrilled to announce the 2024 Super Netball Grand Final will be right here in Adelaide.
Hopefully the 2024 Grand Final will see our Thunderbirds mounting a defence of a 2023 premiership title.
But either way, I know the city will be buzzing with excitement, and rolling out the red carpet to more interstate visitors who know we will put on a great show.
The significance of the move of the Thunderbirds to the Entertainment Centre can’t be understated. It will provide an opportunity to grow crowds at the elite level of the game – but more importantly, it will provide us the freedom to take proper action to upgrade Mile End netball stadium, for the tens of thousands of netballers who use it each year.”
Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty said the announcement is incredibly exciting for the club and the entire netball family.
“The atmosphere our Pink Army is able to create at a venue like the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is second-to-none and we love playing there,” she said.
“Hopefully we’re defending our title in a home Grand Final in 2024. “
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