Premier League freshens up game

NETBALL launches into a new season tonight with changes to the league structure aimed at improving standards across the board. This season sees the top flight reduced to five teams, with those involved predicting a tight battle.

Coaching and umpiring are also being targeted, as well as plans to introduce a Super Cup next season.

Fortis Sarnians One, TCCI and three teams from Nerine make up the top flight.

'We've got a new Premier League, which is the main change for the season, which means we've siphoned off the top five teams of all the leagues just to help advance those players who are island-bound with regard to county matches and possibly England as well,' said Guernsey Netball Association president Bridget Yabsley.

'It will concentrate their major play on a higher standard of netball and also gives them a better grounding for the UK. It also means the lower divisions are playing at a more consistent level at their own competitive standard.'

She said Nerine appeared to have 'levelled out' the quality of their three teams in the top flight.

Sarnians and TCCI both have experienced squads.

'There was a fear that maybe one team would romp through the Premier League, but I don't think it will happen: it's worked out well,' she said.

'All five have a good possibility of coming up trumps if everybody performs.'

Development officer and Nerine coach Gill Queripel believed that Sarnians would be more of a threat this season.

Nerine A look to have suffered a blow with the news that Sonia Grant-Yendell will be out for the duration because of injury.

All the Premier League games will have only qualified umpires and scorers, something that will be cascaded down if enough suitable people are available.

'It should raise the standard of the games right the way through, but like all sports, we don't have enough umpires because everybody wants to play.'

Queripel added a new coaches association and an umpires association would hopefully attract more people to the roles.

'There's an awful lot going on, all aimed at encouraging more people to play at a better level.'

Next season's Super Cup should consist of six teams, with the best players drawn from all the leagues, playing indoors on a Thursday night and from which the island sides will be picked.

Each squad will have four island players, with the coaches then able to select another eight from the GNA leagues.

'We've got a lot of good players in the third, second and first divisions as well as the Premier League who want to play with their friends, but would benefit the island being in the island set up.'

She added it would mean 60 girls in training, as opposed to a handful from the top two teams.

'We have to do something to encourage more girls to play at the top level: they are out there and the clubs themselves seem up for it right the way down the system.'

GNA media secretary Joy Knight also thought the Premier League would be tight.

'Although I still feel Nerine A will take it.'

She also said that the new League One would be close.

There are a few changes to the sides, with three players returning after taking a season off.

Claire Queripel will be back with Nerine A, Sam Collins for Richmond Masters and Natalie Gillman for P&J Conservatories.

Fortis Sarnians One play Nerine B tonight, starting at 7.