2011 ANZ Championship season

The 2011 ANZ Championship season was the fourth season of the ANZ Championship in Australasia, commencing on 13 February. The 2011 season started much earlier in the year compared with previous seasons, to accommodate the 2011 Netball World Championships in July. The condensed season comprised 69 matches played over 15 weeks, including an initial 12-week round-robin stage, followed by a three-week finals stage. Several rule changes have also been implemented in 2011.

2011 ANZ Championship season
LeagueANZ Championship
SportNetball
Duration13 February 2011 – 22 May 2011
Number of teams10
TV partner(s)One HD (Australia)
Network Ten (Australia)
SKY Sports (NZ)
TVNZ (NZ)
ChampionsQueensland Firebirds
Runners-upNorthern Mystics
Minor premiersQueensland Firebirds
Season MVPLeana de Bruin
Natalie Medhurst
Top scorerRomelda Aiken (Firebirds)

At the completion of the round-robin competition, the Firebirds emerged undefeated as minor premiers, progressing to the finals stage with the Magic, Swifts and Mystics. The Firebirds progressed to the grand final to face the Mystics after the Mystics defeated the Swifts and Magic in successive weeks. The grand final was contested on 22 May in Brisbane and in front of a capacity crowd, the Firebirds defeated the Mystics by 57–44 to emerge as champions for the 2011 season, successfully completing a perfect season in the process.

Overview

Format

Due to the World Netball Championships in July, the 2011 season was condensed into 15 weeks. The regular season was conducted in a round-robin, played over 12 weeks, during which each team played every other team once, and also played teams from their home country a second time. As a result of the condensed season, teams generally did not have byes in 2011, and in some rounds also had to play "double-header" matches.[1] The top four teams from the round-robin stage progressed to the finals stage, played over three weeks in a Page-McIntyre System.

Round 3 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 5 matchups in 2011, round 5 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 4 matchups in 2011, round 12 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 9 matchups in 2011, round 13 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 12 matchups in 2011, and round 14 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 11 matchups in 2011. Also, for the Rivalry Round, round 4 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 7 matchups in 2011. In addition, in trans-Tasman matches the home and away teams were switched around from 2010 to ensure that the teams get to play home and away games over two years: e.g., the Fever hosted the Tactix in round 2 in 2010, but the same game in 2011 was hosted by the Tactix.

Rules

Matches are played under international netball rules. The 2011 season saw the implementation of new player import rules for all teams. Previously, Australian teams were allowed two import or "ineligible" players as of right, while New Zealand teams were allowed one import and one ineligible player, with the approval of Netball New Zealand. In 2011, all teams were allowed one import player as of right, and were able to apply for another ineligible player. In addition, the assistance package for teams finishing in the bottom two placings of the competition ladder for two consecutive seasons was discontinued.[2]

For the first time this season, three all-Australian matches were umpired by two New Zealand umpires, and three all–New Zealand matches were umpired by Australian umpires. Previously, all-Australian matches were umpired by Australian umpires and all–New Zealand matches were umpired by New Zealand umpires.[3]

Teams

All ten teams from the inaugural season continued in 2011.

2011 ANZ Championship teams
Teams Seasons Main venues 2010 placings
Australia Adelaide Thunderbirds Details ETSA Park, Adelaide Champions
Melbourne Vixens Details State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne 7th
New South Wales Swifts Details Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre Preliminary finalists
Queensland Firebirds Details Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 5th
West Coast Fever Details Challenge Stadium, Perth 8th
New
Zealand		 Canterbury Tactix Details Westpac Arena, Christchurch 10th
Central Pulse Details TSB Bank Arena, Wellington 9th
Northern Mystics Details Trusts Stadium, Auckland 6th
Southern Steel Details Invercargill ILT Velodrome* Semi-finalists
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Details Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton Runners-up

* The main venue for the Southern Steel – Stadium Southland in Invercargill – was severely damaged during heavy snowfall on 18 September 2010. The Steel played most of their 2011 home games at the adjoining ILT Velodrome, which did not suffer heavy damage.[4]

Player transfers
Main article: 2011 ANZ Championship transfer period
Name 2010 Team 2011 Team
Anna Scarlett DNP- Volleyball Northern Mystics
Megan Dehn Southern Steel Northern Mystics
Julianna Naoupu Southern Steel Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Caitlin Thwaites Melbourne Vixens Central Pulse
Jade Topia Southern Steel Central Pulse
Donna Wilkins DNP- Retired Canterbury Tactix
Kasey Evering DNP- Jamaican import Canterbury Tactix
Natasha Chokljat Melbourne Vixens Southern Steel
Paula Griffin Central Pulse Southern Steel
Bianca Giteau (née Franklin) DNP- Personal reasons Adelaide Thunderbirds
Geva Mentor Adelaide Thunderbirds Melbourne Vixens
Kate Beveridge Adelaide Thunderbirds Melbourne Vixens
Sarah Wall Queensland Firebirds Melbourne Vixens
Mo'onia Gerrard Adelaide Thunderbirds New South Wales Swifts
Ama Agbeze Central Pulse West Coast Fever

Pre-season

With the condensed format, the official preseason tournament – the Netball Cup – was not held in 2011. Instead, alternative tournaments and matches were organised in both countries, starting in late January.

In Sydney the New South Wales Swifts hosted the Vixens, Thunderbirds and Fever in the first preseason tournament, from 22–23 January. After two days of matches, the host team went through undefeated to win the competition.[5] The Southern Steel hosted their annual pre-season tournament in Queenstown the following weekend, from 28–30 January. The tournament was contested by the Pulse, Tactix, Steel and Firebirds; the Swifts were initially scheduled to attend but later withdrew in favour of playing two matches in Auckland against the Mystics. After three days of competition, the Queensland Firebirds defeated the Central Pulse 50–46 in the grand final to win the 2011 tournament.[6]

In other preseason events, the Northern Mystics played the New South Wales Swifts in two five-quarter matches in Auckland from 29–30 January. The weekend finished with both sides winning one match each: the Swifts defeating the Mystics 64–61 in the first match, followed by a 61–52 victory for the Mystics the next day.[7] A week later, the Mystics travelled to Te Awamutu to play a one-off, five-quarter match against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, on 6 February (coincidentally Waitangi Day, New Zealand's national holiday). The Magic surged ahead in the third quarter of the match, and held on to record a 62–54 win in their only preseason outing.[8]

Regular season

Standings
2011 ANZ Championship ladder
Pos Team Pld W L GF GA Diff G% Pts
113130758587+171129.1326
213103647578+69111.9420
31394677606+71111.7218
41394684619+65110.5018
51385664610+54108.8516
61358662737-7589.8210
71349533594-6189.738
813310599683-8487.706
913310646754-10885.686
1013112621723-10285.892
Updated on 2 May 2011 (Round 12, Game 5)
Table legend
  • Pos = Position
  • Pld = Games played
  • W = Wins (2 points)
  • L = Losses (0 points)
  • GF = Goals For (total goals scored)
  • GA = Goals Against (total goals conceded)
  • Diff = Goal Difference (= GF−GA)
  • G% = Goal Percentage (= 100 × GF/GA)
  • Pts = Points (progressive tally)


    Major semi-final qualifying position
    Minor semi-final qualifying position

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

* Originally scheduled for 27 February, but postponed due to the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[10] Subsequently rescheduled and moved to Auckland as a fundraiser match.[11]

Round 4

* Originally scheduled to be played in Christchurch. Following the 22 February earthquake, the match was moved to Rotorua, although the match is still considered a "home" game for the Tactix.[12]

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7: Rivalry Round

All matches in this round were trans-Tasman clashes. Goals scored by all teams from each country were tallied together, with the country accumulating the highest number of goals winning the round. After five matches, Australia won the 2011 Rivalry Round with an aggregate score of 263–239 over New Zealand.[13]

Round 8

Daylight saving ends on 3 April in New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Finals
Semi-finals Preliminary final Grand final
9 May – Gold Coast
1 Queensland Firebirds 50
2 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 39
15 May – Hamilton 22 May – Brisbane
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 42 Queensland Firebirds 57
Northern Mystics 43 Northern Mystics 44
8 May – Sydney
3 New South Wales Swifts 44
4 Northern Mystics 49 Key: Winning team advances Losing team advances

Minor semifinal
Sunday 8 May
14:20 (UTC+10)		 Report
Stats		 New South Wales Swifts44–49Northern Mystics    Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
Umpires: Rachael Ayre (Australia)
Mandy Nottingham (New Zealand)
Reserve umpire: Jemma Carlton (Australia)		 TEN, SKYSport
Scoring by quarter: 11-15, 9-13, 11–10, 13-11
Cox  28/36 (78%)
Wild  8/8 (100%)
Pratley  8/10 (80%)		 Latu  25/28 (89%)
Tutaia  24/29 (83%)

Major semifinal
Monday 9 May
19:40 (UTC+10)		 Report
Stats		 Queensland Firebirds50–39Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic    Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre TEN, SKYSport
Scoring by quarter: 12–8, 11-8, 16–10, 11-13
Aiken  29/33 (88%)
Medhurst  21/27 (78%)		 van Dyk  17/19 (89%)
Gupwell  16/18 (89%)
Naoupu  6/8 (75%)

Preliminary final
Sunday 15 May
18:20 (UTC+12)		 Report
Stats		 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic42–43Northern Mystics    Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton TEN, SKYSport
Scoring by quarter: 13–9, 7-16, 12–10, 10-8
van Dyk  27/28 (96%)
Naoupu  14/19 (74%)
Gupwell  1/3 (33%)		 Latu  15/17 (88%)
Tutaia  28/30 (93%)

Grand final
Sunday 22 May
14:30 (UTC+10)		 Report
Stats		 Queensland Firebirds57–44Northern Mystics    Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Attendance: 3500
Umpires: Sharon Kelly (Australia)
Mandy Nottingham (New Zealand)
Reserve umpire: Rachael Ayre (Australia)		 TEN, SKYSport
Scoring by quarter: 12–12, 14–12, 18–8, 13-12
Aiken  35/40 (88%)
Medhurst  22/24 (92%)		 Latu  21/21 (100%)
Tutaia  23/31 (74%)

Festival of the Stars

The Festival of the Stars is a charity match where two celebrity teams play each other to win money for their charities. The captains of the match in 2011 were Adam Spencer and Charlie Pickering. The match was played in two 15-minute halves and umpired by former Australian representatives Alison Broadbent and Shelley O'Donnell. The show was hosted by Kelli Underwood and Liz Ellis with Sue Gaudion the courtside expert. The celebrity teams were as follows:

beyondblue Team: Holden Barina Spark National Breast Cancer Foundation Team
Sunday 20 March
12:00 (UTC+10)		 Report beyondblue9–10Holden Barina Spark National Breast Cancer Foundation (Australia)    Acer Arena, Sydney
Umpires: Alison Broadbent
Shelley O'Donnell
Scoring by half: 3-4, 6-6
Eckstein (7 goals)
Pickering (2 goals)		 Pottharst (9 goals)
Spencer (1 goal)

Season statistics
  • As of Sunday 22 May.[15]
Top 5 Goals scored
Pos. Player Team GS GA G%
1 Romelda Aiken Queensland Firebirds 52360786.2
2 Caitlin Bassett West Coast Fever 47853888.8
3 Cathrine Latu Northern Mystics 44948293.2
4 Irene van Dyk Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 44648592.0
5 Caitlin Thwaites Central Pulse 43153081.3
Top 5 Goal assists
Pos. Player Team G/A
1 Kimberlee GreenNew South Wales Swifts197
2 Temepara GeorgeNorthern Mystics195
3 Madison BrowneMelbourne Vixens179
4 Laura LangmanWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic148
5 Natalie MedhurstQueensland Firebirds141
Top 5 Rebounds
Pos. Player Team Reb.
1 Romelda AikenQueensland Firebirds63
2 Cathrine LatuNorthern Mystics42
3 Laura GeitzQueensland Firebirds41
4 Casey WilliamsWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic40
5 Irene van DykWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic37
Top 5 Centre-pass receives
Pos. Player Team CPR
1 Leah ShoardWest Coast Fever263
2 Natalie MedhurstQueensland Firebirds256
3 Chelsea PitmanQueensland Firebirds250
4 Maria TutaiaNorthern Mystics228
5 Emily BeatonAdelaide Thunderbirds214
Top 5 Intercepts
Pos. Player Team Int.
1 Laura GeitzQueensland Firebirds57
2= Casey WilliamsWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic33
2= Anna ScarlettNorthern Mystics33
4= Leana de BruinSouthern Steel30
4= Sonia MkolomaNew South Wales Swifts30
Top 5 Deflections
Pos. Player Team Defl.
1 Laura GeitzQueensland Firebirds92
2 Anna ScarlettNorthern Mystics91
3 Leana de BruinSouthern Steel85
4 Casey WilliamsWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic70
5= Bianca ChatfieldMelbourne Vixens53
5= Katrina GrantCentral Pulse53
Top 5 Penalties
Pos. Player Team Pen.
1 Laura GeitzQueensland Firebirds264
2 Anna ScarlettNorthern Mystics245
3 Susan FuhrmannWest Coast Fever231
4 Casey WilliamsWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic222
5 Bianca ChatfieldMelbourne Vixens202
Top 5 Turnovers
Pos. Player Team Turn.
1 Cathrine LatuNorthern Mystics81
2 Temepara GeorgeNorthern Mystics68
3 Romelda AikenQueensland Firebirds59
4 Erin BellAdelaide Thunderbirds50
5 Maree BowdenCanterbury Tactix49

Awards

Season MVP

Players were nominated during the round-robin matches for the 2011 ANZ Championship season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The five players with the highest nomination points are listed in the table below. The eventual joint winners of the award are highlighted in green.

2011 Most Valuable Player
Nat. Player Team Points
Leana de BruinSouthern Steel 18
Natalie MedhurstQueensland Firebirds 18
Romelda AikenQueensland Firebirds 16
Caitlin BassettWest Coast Fever 16
Natalie von BertouchAdelaide Thunderbirds 16

Best Young Player Award

Five players were nominated for the 2011 ANZ Championship season's Best Young Player award, during rounds 8–12. All nominees are listed in the table below. The 2011 winner is highlighted in green.

2011 Best Young Player
Nat. Player Team Round
Chelsea PitmanQueensland Firebirds 8
Sulu Tone-FitzpatrickWaikato Bay of Plenty Magic 9
Ashleigh BrazillNew South Wales Swifts 10
Kayla CullenNorthern Mystics 11
Kate ShimminAdelaide Thunderbirds 12

All Star Team

The 2011 season saw the first appearance of a season All-Star team. A panel of four netball commentators and writers (Liz Ellis and Warren Partland from Australia, Tania Dalton and Dana Johannsen from New Zealand) selected the best player in each position, as well as the team's coach.

2011 All Star team[16]
Pos. Name Team
GS Romelda AikenQueensland Firebirds
GA Sharelle McMahonMelbourne Vixens
WA Emily BeatonAdelaide Thunderbirds
C Natalie von BertouchAdelaide Thunderbirds
WD Kayla CullenNorthern Mystics
GD Anna ScarlettNorthern Mystics
GK Leana de BruinSouthern Steel
Coach Roselee JenckeQueensland Firebirds

References
  1. AAP (3 June 2010). "Wilson blasts netball double-headers". TVNZ. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  2. Longley, Geoff (23 July 2010). "Overseas-player change hailed by Tactix". The Press. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  3. "TTNL announces changes to Umpiring appointments". 19 January 2011.
  4. "Steel confirmed for velodrome". The Southland Times. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  5. "Swifts and Vixens show early form in pre-season warm-up matches". ANZ Championship website. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  6. NZPA (31 January 2011). "Queensland Firebirds with preseason tournament". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  7. Johannsen, Dana (31 January 2011). "Big guns happy with Mystics hitouts". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  8. Evans, Ryan (7 February 2011). "Waikato-BOP Magic chalk up first preseason win". Waikato Times. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  9. ONE Sport (7 April 2011). "Mystics down Tactix at Vector". TVNZ. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  10. NZPA (22 February 2011). "Tactix match postponed due to earthquake". TVNZ. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  11. NZPA (23 March 2011). "Tactix to play fundraising match in Auckland". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  12. NZPA (28 February 2011). "Tactix to play 'home' match in Rotorua". TVNZ. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  13. Avellino, Natalie (31 March 2011). "Aussies win national pride round". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  14. Richens, Matt (1 April 2011). "Tears flow as Canterbury Tactix end drought". The Press. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  15. "2011 ANZ Championship statistics". ANZ Championship website. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  16. NZPA (11 May 2011). "Three NZ players in netball all-star team". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
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