The chance for Tasmania to have a team in the super netball league remains alive after Netball Australia confirmed talks were ongoing regarding the bid.
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Netball Tasmania have been open about their desire to see a Tasmanian side in the SSN in time for the 2023 season, in a move support by the state's netball community.
Netball Australia chief executive Kelly Ryan said the two organisations continued to engage in conversations surrounding the bid.
"Netball Australia will continue to work closely with Netball Tasmania to determine the viability of introducing further teams into the competition," she said.
"Netball Australia is committed to growing the Suncorp Super Netball League and ensuring its status as the world's premier netball competition."
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Last week, Netball Tasmania reiterated their desire to see a standalone side from the state enter the league.
The organisation's contract with the Collingwood Magpies SSN side is due to conclude at the end of the 2022 season which would pave the way for a new side in 2023.
Netball Tasmania have made the decision to split with Collingwood at Australian Netball Championship level to develop more Tasmanian players in readiness for a SSN side.
The team would likely be based out of Hobart but would share home games between Launceston and the capital, similar to the NBL's Tasmania JackJumpers franchise.
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Ryan indicated that issues created by COVID-19 posed a problem for expansion for the timeframe of SSN expansion.
"The Suncorp Super Netball League has faced significant financial challenges over the past two seasons, with lockdowns and border closures forcing the competition to relocate several times," she said.
"While we are committed to expanding the Suncorp Super Netball competition, the reality is this is a longer-term ambition."
While Netball Tasmania have stated a preference for 2023, chief executive Aaron Pidgeon said they would be ready to go whenever the approval came.
"That's in the hands of Netball Australia. Netball Tasmania has expressed interest in a licence and if approved, at whatever stage in the future, we would hope to be ready to participate quickly," he said.
"A number of things would need to align such as player signing windows and confirmation of corporate support."
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