Following an extensive review by Netball WA, a new structure for netball throughout the state will come into play as of 2019.
With that, the South West Netball Region as it has been known will be disbanded.
Over the past 29 years, the Jets have been an integral part of the South West Netball Region.
An interim working group was formed to consider the future of the Jets and the requirements of Netball WA, determining whether the club would seek to be part of the revised state league competition.
As a result, the working group has become the interim board and has also formed a standalone club, known as the Souwest Jets Netball Club Inc.
The Jets submitted a formal application to Netball WA for one of the eight available licenses as part of the new West Australian Netball League competition.
On August 24, it was announced the Netball WA Board had agreed to award seven licenses with the view to award an eighth license in 2019.
ECU Souwest Jets is the only regional club to secure a WANL licence for the years 2019 to 2021 inclusive.
In its 30th year, the Jets will participate in the West Australian Netball League Women’s Open and Women’s U20 divisions.
With over 6000 members in the region participating in netball, the Jets recognise the importance of working with local associations to ensure opportunities for athletes, coaches, umpires and officials to progress in their chosen pathways.
Sixteen Jets athletes were selected for this year’s Fever in Time State Academy squads, in addition to the club’s WAIS Scholarship holders Jessica Repacholi, Giselle Taylor, Ella Taylor and Riley Culnane.
Souwest Jets interim chairman Troy Jones’s vision of the future includes new opportunities for all involved.
"The Souwest Jets is proud of its history and excited about its future,” he said.
“Being the only regional club in the newly-formed West Australian Netball League, provides our netballers the opportunity to remain part of their home club.
“The opportunity to showcase the talent from throughout the South West is very exciting.
“We already have exceptional talent with several of our younger players at state and, in some cases, national level, so to build on that through our new Jets Academy in the South West will be exciting.
“The Jets will continue to provide opportunities for our talented young netballers from all over the South West.”
Souwest Jets Regional Development Officer Dale Nielsen agreed, saying the changes marked a new turning point for the club.
“Over the past 30 years, the Jets have provided an important step in the South West netball pathway for players, coaches, and umpires to develop and reach their goals,” she said.
“The Souwest Jets will continue to nurture and empower our talent by providing a safe, inclusive, and accredited pathway and exposing them in an elite competition.”
The club is now seeking sponsors for 2019 and beyond.
Organisations keen to be part of this new chapter of the Jets are encouraged to contact 9792 6945.
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