Suncorp Super Netball has announced that two key rules changes brought in for the 2020 competition will remain in 2021.
The two-point Suncorp Super Shot and rolling substitutions will both return next year with extra time for drawn matches to be introduced after it was deferred this season.
In the case of the Super Shot, the league’s Competition Committee met on multiple occasions to review and discuss data provided by Nielsen, Deakin University, Champion Data and other sources before making their final recommendation to the Super Netball League Commission for endorsement.
Super Netball CEO Chris Symington said the league is looking forward to seeing the evolution of the Super Shot, along with rolling subs and extra time in 2021.
“We saw on numerous occasions this season how the Suncorp Super Shot along with the new Rebel Power 5, added another element of excitement to our game," he said.
"What also became clear is that it could be used by teams as little or as much as they liked to suit their style of play.
“With a full pre-season ahead and the opportunity to practice and prepare over a longer period of time, it will be fascinating to see how the players and teams adapt their game plans to suit these rules heading into next year.
“Contrary to some media commentary, we attribute this season’s increase in viewership to a range of factors, including the fact we were the first elite female sport to run a full competition after the outbreak of COVID-19. While the Suncorp Super Shot is an important innovation, it was one of many reasons for the success of the 2020 season.”
The introduction of rolling substitutions, along with extended squad lists, this year allowed some of Australia’s most promising athletes the opportunity to show what they were made of within the world’s best netball league and this was a factor in the Competition Committee’s decision to retain the rolling substitutions rule for 2021.
Discussions regarding extended squad lists are ongoing, with a decision expected prior to the end of the current contracting window.
It is yet to be determined if the bonus point rule, that was in play for seasons 2018 and 2019, will return in 2021. Further Competition Committee discussion will take place on this rule at the group’s December meeting.
The league Competition Committee will again review all rule changes at the completion of the 2021 season.
