The Commonwealth Bank Trophy is Australia’s premier netball competition, celebrating its 11th and final season in 2007.

When it was launched in 1997, the competition was made up of eight teams:

• Sydney Swifts

• Melbourne Phoenix

• Adelaide Thunderbirds

• Melbourne Kestrels

• Queensland Firebirds

• Perth Orioles

• Sydney Sandpipers and;

• Adelaide Ravens

 

The Ravens were replaced by the AIS Canberra Darters for the 2003 season. The McDonald’s Hunter Jaegers, based in Newcastle, replaced the Sydney Sandpipers in the competition for the 2004 season.

 

A major feature of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy has been the development of a successful player pathway from club to national representation. The introduction of the AIS Canberra Darters into the competition gave young, emerging players a chance to test their skills weekly against the best and most experienced players in the country. Opening up opportunities for talented players in regional areas to play elite netball was also a key focus of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. In the current national squad several players developed their game on courts in regional Australia, including Sharelle McMahon, Susan Pratley, Julie Prendergast and Lauren Nourse.

 

The long and valued partnership with host broadcaster, ABC TV has been a highly successful one. Broadcasting the sport on ABC TV created opportunities for all Australians to watch the best players in the country, and arguably the world, on a weekly basis. Hosting matches in the key metropolitan cities and in regional centres continued Netball Australia’s commitment to extend the sport’s reach and showcase first class netball to all Australians. It’s given the fans and young netballers memorable opportunities to watch courtside and meet their heroes.

 

The Sydney TAB Swifts broke new ground in 2003 when they secured TAB as their naming rights sponsor, the first team to do so in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Further corporate partnerships were developed over the past five years, bringing increased revenue, sponsor support and public awareness to the sport’s promotion. In 2007, six of the eight teams boasted naming rights sponsors.

 

1997 Melbourne Phoenix (58) def. Adelaide Thunderbirds (48)

1998 Adelaide Thunderbirds (48) def. Sydney Swifts (42)

1999 Adelaide Thunderbirds (62) def. Adelaide Ravens (30)

2000 Melbourne Phoenix (52) def. Adelaide Thunderbirds (51)

2001 Sydney Swifts (57) def. Adelaide Thunderbirds (32)

2002 Melbourne Phoenix (49) def. Adelaide Thunderbirds (44)

2003 Melbourne Phoenix (47) def. Sydney Swifts (44)

2004 Sydney Swifts (52) def. Melbourne Phoenix (51)

2005 Melbourne Phoenix (61) def. Sydney Swifts (44)

2006 Sydney Swifts (65) def. Adelaide Thunderbirds (36)

2007 Sydney Swifts (54) def. Melbourne Phoenix (37)

 

For some of the most memorable moments of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy as submitted by the public, click here.

Courtesy Netball Australia

Updated 9th September 2007