![The Giants netball team will be making a trip to the Riverina in March.](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/01/DSC00758-scaled-e1705975297774-1200x729.jpg)
The Giants Super Netball team will make their way to the Riverina to play two games against the Melbourne Mavericks in March. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Giants Super Netball team will be making several stops in the Riverina this March for a preseason campaign including two exhibition matches against the competition’s newest team Melbourne Mavericks.
The three-day trip will kick off with the team’s first match at the Wagga Wagga Multi-Purpose Stadium on 1 March, with the second at Griffith Regional Sports Centre two days later on 3 March.
The preseason hit-out will be the first time either team has travelled to the Riverina and will be a brilliant opportunity for regional supporters to enjoy high quality sport.
Giants Netball Executive General Manager Tim Underwood said the club was looking forward to visiting the region.
“After an overwhelming reception when Julie [Fitzgerald] and Maddie [Hay] visited last year for the opening of the Griffith Regional Sports Centre, we knew we had to come back and play,” he said.
“We’ve never played a game in the Riverina region before but it’s home to a passionate netball community and we can’t wait to partner with the Griffith Netball Association, Griffith City Council and Wagga Wagga City Council to deliver a fantastic Giants Netball game-day experience.”
Mr Underwood said the Giants were built upon a community ethos and would embrace taking the game beyond metropolitan Sydney.
“There will be multiple chances to meet and interact with our Giants players and coaching staff, as well as the opportunity to get a first look at our new-look team that will represent us in the upcoming Suncorp Super Netball season,” Mr Underwood said.
“We hope all members of the Wagga Wagga and Griffith communities can join us for what is sure to be a great weekend.”
For Griffith Netball Association President Sandra Woolnough it’s a chance for young netballers to meet and watch their heroes.
“We are so excited to have the Giants come to town. We are such a strong netball community and the opportunity for our players and officials, of all ages, to see what they can be is priceless,” Ms Woolnough said.
“I also want to acknowledge the support we’ve received from Griffith City Council, not only for this visit but also for the recently opened Griffith Regional Sports Centre. Without it, we wouldn’t have had a facility fit for elite sport.
“We are working with the Giants on a schedule of activities that give the community a chance to engage with the players, which we will announce shortly. In the meantime, ensure you get your tickets when they go on sale, as we know they will go very quickly.”
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Dallas Tout was thrilled the city had secured one of the preseason games.
“Being able to draw this calibre of competition to our city reflects our ability to host this level of sporting competition, as we’ve seen through our partnerships with the Canberra Raiders, ACT Brumbies and NSW Touch Association,” Cr Tout said.
“This will be an exciting opportunity for residents of Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas to see elite Australian netballers in action in our own backyard, so to speak.
“Whether you’re a diehard Giants Netball fan, play the game yourself, or just love watching elite sports, the MPS will be the place to be when the game rolls into town.
“There is also the potential to meet some of the team through community engagement activities, which may include things like a skills clinic for local netballers, school and shopping centre visits.”
Tickets for the match in Wagga will go on sale at midday Monday 5 February. Tickets for the match in Griffith went on sale at 10 am on Thursday 25 January.