Netballers Nationwide Warm Up for Premier League Season

Netball teams throughout the country are preparing for the start of the 2008/09 Premier League Season.

The season kicks off on Sunday 28 September, with reigning Division 1 champions Linden taking on Oaksway at the National Indoor Arena (Community Hall) in Birmingham, whilst Essex Open, last years Division 2 winners and newly promoted side will face Falcons Black. In Division 2 there will be a battle of the new comers when Elmdon take on Sheffield Stormers and Dudley Leisure will come up against another of the newbie’s in Sussex Thunder at Oldbury Sports College.

Sponsored by California Prunes, the next five months will see the two divisions of 10 teams battle it out on court, in a bid to be crowned the Premier League 1 & 2 champions.

Matthew Young, competition and events manager at England Netball, said: “This season is a hard one to call, Division 1 has gained two new teams in the Essex Open, last years Division 2 champions who very nearly completed the perfect season after gaining Premier League status only the year prior, and TeamBath, a side that is steeped in netballing esteem and is always a side with young vibrancy. Both of these teams will need to be watched by the old guard.

“As for Division 2 yet again who knows what will happen; gaining three unknowns from the regional leagues through the playoffs will give the teams within Division 2 something to think about. Will one of the debutants repeat Essex Opens feet from last season or will we see a new name at the top of the table?

“The coming season is one not to be missed, and I predict many interesting results will come – keep your eyes on this one!”

Match fixtures for Sunday 28 September: