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Turbocharged Adelaide Thunderbirds to take on Sunshine Coast Lighting

Office of the Chief Minister

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss announced today the Territory’s new multi-million dollar indoor netball stadium will host some of the netball’s biggest names as part of the Suncorp Super Netball fixture.

The Territory Labor Government will host Suncorp Super Netball through the record $103 million Turbocharging Tourism stimulus package, recognising the value of hosting leading sporting events to support liveability, tourism and local jobs.

Following discussions with Netball Australia and Netball SA, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will face off against the Sunshine Coast Lightning on 8 June 2019 at 2.30pm ACST, with the Thunderbirds being the home side.

The match will attract netball followers from right across Australia, with fans expected to travel to Darwin for the Top End fixture.

The match will be broadcast on national free to air television on Channel Nine and is expected to reach approximately 1.2 million viewers.

Quotes from Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:

“The Territory is home to thousands of netball players and fans, so it’s fantastic that today we can announce an official Suncorp Super Netball fixture to be played in Darwin on 8 June this year.

“The game gives  Territorians a chance to watch the Adelaide Thunderbirds versus Sunshine Coast Lightning in our new $19.8 million state of the art indoor netball facility at Marrara  and will also boost the local economy with fans, players, media and broadcast personnel all travelling  to Darwin for the event.

“We know sport plays an important role in enhancing the Territory’s vibrant lifestyle, which is why the Territory Labor Government is supporting the netball match through the $103 million Turbocharging Tourism stimulus package.

“I look forward to welcoming both the Adelaide Thunderbirds, and Sunshine Coast Lightning to the Territory in June and encourage everyone to come along and watch this exciting match take place in Darwin’s new multi-million dollar indoor netball stadium at Marrara.”

Quotes from Netball NT CEO, Ian Harkness:

“It’s fantastic that the elite of the netball world are able to come to Darwin and play a Suncorp Super Netball match for competition points. The netball and sport loving public of the NT can see the athleticism and skills of the wonderful athletes that play this game.

“Thanks to the Adelaide Thunderbirds organisation for wanting to bring the game to Darwin to showcase the sport’s best athletes and for their opposition to be the reigning premiers is an absolute bonus.

“The Territory Netball Stadium was, in part, built to enable these type of matches to be played here and to have one so soon after its opening is fantastic for the sport.

“The netball fraternity finally have the opportunity to see world class teams in Darwin and let’s hope that it is the first for many years to come.”

Quotes from Netball SA CEO, Ben Scales:

“Netball SA is excited to bring the first Suncorp Super Netball game to the Northern Territory, in partnership with Netball NT and the Northern Territory Government.

“The new Territory Netball Stadium is a wonderful facility and something the passionate netball community should be very proud of.

“We look forward to showcasing the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Suncorp Super Netball, the world’s best netball competition, to the broader Territory community.”


Media Contact: Trish Grimshaw 0401 119 242 


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