Commonwealth Bank Trophy
Founded1997
Ceased2007
Replaced byANZ Championship
No. of teams8
CountryAustralia
Last
champion(s)		Sydney Swifts (4th title)
Most titlesMelbourne Phoenix (5 titles)
TV partner(s)ABC
Sponsor(s)Commonwealth Bank

The Commonwealth Bank Trophy, also referred to as the National Netball League, was the top level national Australian netball league between 1997 and 2007. The league was organized by Netball Australia. Its main sponsor was the Commonwealth Bank. Melbourne Phoenix were the competition's most successful team, winning five premierships. Sydney Swifts were the second most successful team, winning four premierships. Between them, Phoenix and Swifts played in every grand final, except in 1999 when Adelaide Thunderbirds won the second of their two premierships. Ahead of the 2008 season, the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league effectively merged with New Zealand's National Bank Cup to form the ANZ Championship.

Teams

Locations of teams

The founding members of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league included Adelaide Ravens, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Sydney Sandpipers, Sydney Swifts and Queensland Firebirds. The majority of the teams were named after native Australian birds including ravens, kestrels, orioles and sandpipers. Adelaide Thunderbirds were initially going to be named Adelaide Falcons but the name was changed at the request of the rugby union team.[1] In 2003 Ravens were replaced by AIS Canberra Darters[2][3] and in 2004 Sandpipers were replaced by Hunter Jaegers.[4][5][6][7]

In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Thunderbirds and Firebirds became founders of the new league.[8] Several other Commonwealth Bank Trophy teams were transformed to form ANZ Championship teams. Swifts and Jaegers merged to become New South Wales Swifts,[9] Kestrels and Phoenix merged to become Melbourne Vixens[10] and Orioles were rebranded as West Coast Fever.[11][12] Meanwhile the Australian Institute of Sport and Canberra Darters ended their partnership and in 2008 entered two separate team in the Australian Netball League.[13][14]

2007 teams

Team Home venue/base State/Territory
Adelaide Thunderbirds Netball SA Stadium South Australia
AIS Canberra Darters AIS Arena Australian Capital Territory
Hunter Jaegers Newcastle Entertainment Centre New South Wales
Melbourne Phoenix Parkville Stadium Victoria
Melbourne Kestrels Parkville Stadium
Waverley Netball Centre		 Victoria
Perth Orioles Challenge Stadium Western Australia
Queensland Firebirds Chandler Arena Queensland
Sydney Swifts Sydney SuperDome
State Sports Centre
Wollongong Entertainment Centre		 New South Wales

Earlier teams

Team Region Debut season Final season Replaced by
Adelaide Ravens South Australia 1997 2002 AIS Canberra Darters
Sydney Sandpipers New South Wales 1997 2003 Hunter Jaegers

Grand finals

Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
1997[15] Melbourne Phoenix 58–48 Adelaide Thunderbirds The Glasshouse
1998[15][16] Adelaide Thunderbirds 48–42 Sydney Swifts Netball SA Stadium
1999[16][17][18] Adelaide Thunderbirds 62–30 Adelaide Ravens Netball SA Stadium
2000[17][19] Melbourne Phoenix 52–51 Adelaide Thunderbirds The Glasshouse
2001[20][5][21] Sydney Swifts 57–32 Adelaide Thunderbirds State Sports Centre
2002[20][22][23] Melbourne Phoenix 49–44 Adelaide Thunderbirds John Cain Arena
2003[23][24] Melbourne Phoenix 47–44 Sydney Swifts Sydney SuperDome
2004[25][26][27] Sydney Swifts 52–51 Melbourne Phoenix Sydney SuperDome
2005[27][28][29][21] Melbourne Phoenix 61–44 Sydney Swifts John Cain Arena
2006[5][30][31] Sydney Swifts 65–36 Adelaide Thunderbirds State Sports Centre
2007[5][30][32][33][34] Sydney Swifts 45–37 Melbourne Phoenix Sydney SuperDome

Minor premierships

Season Winners
1997 Adelaide Thunderbirds[15]
1998 Adelaide Thunderbirds[15]
1999 Adelaide Thunderbirds[17]
2000 Adelaide Thunderbirds[17]
2001 Adelaide Thunderbirds[20]
2002 Melbourne Phoenix[20]
2003 Melbourne Phoenix[23]
2004 Sydney Swifts[23]
2005 Sydney Swifts[27]
2006 Sydney Swifts[27]
2007 Melbourne Phoenix[30]

Awards

Most Valuable Player

Season Player Team
1998 [5] Liz Ellis Sydney Swifts
1999 [18] Jacqui Delaney Adelaide Thunderbirds
2000 [19] Sharelle McMahon Melbourne Phoenix
2001 [18] Jacqui Delaney Adelaide Thunderbirds
2002 [5] Liz Ellis Sydney Swifts
2003 Sharelle McMahon Melbourne Phoenix
2004 [26] Cynna Neele Melbourne Kestrels
2005 [29] Sharelle McMahon Melbourne Phoenix
2006 [5][31] Liz Ellis Sydney Swifts
2007 [32] Sharelle McMahon Melbourne Phoenix

Players' Player of the Year

Season Player Team
2001 Jacqui Delaney Adelaide Thunderbirds
Catherine Cox Perth Orioles
2002 Liz Ellis Sydney Swifts
2003 Cynna Neele Melbourne Kestrels
Natalie Sloane
Mo'onia Gerrard
2004 [26] Janine Ilitch Melbourne Kestrels
Raegan Jackson Hunter Jaegers
2005 Natasha Chokljat Melbourne Phoenix
2006 [31] Caitlin Bassett Perth Orioles
Caitlin Thwaites Melbourne Kestrels
2007 [32] Leah Shoard AIS Canberra Darters

Grand final MVP

Season Player Team
1997
1998[15] Sarah Sutter Adelaide Thunderbirds
1999[18] Jacqui Delaney Adelaide Thunderbirds
2000[17][19] Sharelle McMahon Melbourne Phoenix
2001[20] Liz Ellis Sydney Swifts
2002[20] Sharelle McMahon Melbourne Phoenix
2003
2004 Catherine Cox Sydney Swifts
2005 Bianca Chatfield Melbourne Phoenix
2006 Liz Ellis Sydney Swifts
2007 Selina Gilsenan Sydney Swifts

Best New Talent

Season Player Team
1998 Natalie Sloane Queensland Firebirds
1999 Mo'onia Gerrard Sydney Sandpipers
2000 Cynna Neele Melbourne Kestrels
2001 Jane Altschwager Sydney Swifts
2002 Mandy Edwards Adelaide Thunderbirds
2003 Carla Dziwoki Queensland Firebirds
2004 [26] Julie Prendergast Melbourne Phoenix
2005 [29] Clare McMeniman AIS Canberra Darters
2006 [31] Madison Browne Melbourne Kestrels
2007 [32] Ashlee Howard Melbourne Kestrels

Coach of the Year

Season Player Team
2004 [26] Julie Fitzgerald Sydney Swifts
2005 [29] Julie Hoornweg Melbourne Phoenix
2006 [31] Julie Fitzgerald Sydney Swifts
2007 [32] Julie Fitzgerald Sydney Swifts

Margaret Pewtress Team of the Year

Season Team of the Year
2002 GS Eloise Southby GA Sharelle McMahon; WA Laura von Bertouch C Rebecca Sanders WD Peta Squire; GD Kathryn Harby-Williams GK Liz Ellis
2003 GS Catherine Cox GA Sharelle McMahon; WA Susan Meaney C Rebecca Sanders WD Peta Scholz; GD Liz Boniello GK Bianca Chatfield
2004 [26] GS Catherine Cox (Sydney Swifts) GA Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne Phoenix); WA Laura von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) C Sarah Barrett (Sydney Swifts) WD Peta Scholz (Adelaide Thunderbirds); GD Alison Broadbent (Sydney Swifts) GK Liz Ellis (Sydney Swifts)
2005 [29] GS Catherine Cox (Sydney Swifts) GA Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne Phoenix); WA Laura von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) C Natalie von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) WD Natasha Chokljat (Melbourne Phoenix); GD Johannah Curran (Melbourne Phoenix) GK Bianca Chatfield (Melbourne Phoenix)
2006 [31] GS Catherine Cox (Sydney Swifts) GA Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne Phoenix); WA Laura von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) C Natalie von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) WD Natasha Chokljat (Melbourne Phoenix); GD Mo'onia Gerrard (Sydney Swifts) GK Liz Ellis (Sydney Swifts)
2007 [32] GS Catherine Cox (Sydney Swifts) GA Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne Phoenix); WA Laura von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) C Natalie von Bertouch WD (Adelaide Thunderbirds) Peta Scholz (Adelaide Thunderbirds); GD Julie Prendergast (Melbourne Kestrels) GK Liz Ellis (Sydney Swifts)

Television

ABC were the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league's official broadcast partner.[26][32]

References

  1. ^ "Adelaide Thunderbirds - ANZ Championship". www.anz-championship.com. 22 April 2003. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. ^ "League dumps Ravens for AIS team". The Age. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  3. ^ "New look for 2003". www.abc.net.au. 22 April 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Sydney Swifts - 1997-2007". nswswifts.com.au. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Netball NSW – Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. ^ "End of the road for Sydney Sandpipers". www.theage.com.au. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Sandpipers to leave netball league". www.abc.net.au. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  8. ^ "2008 Annual Report - Netball Australia" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Southern Steel faces plenty of travelling in the early rounds". The Southland Times. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Melbourne Vixens - Our history". melbournevixens.com.au. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Perth Orioles History". westcoastfever.com.au. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  12. ^ "2007 Netball Western Australia Annual Report" (PDF). Netball Western Australia. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Australian Netball League 2009". www.netball.org.sg. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  14. ^ "New Idea Australian Netball League action fires up tomorrow". www.womensportreport.com. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 1)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Adelaide Thunderbirds – History". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 2)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d "Jacqui Delaney". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  19. ^ a b c "20 years on for the 2000 Melbourne Phoenix Premiership team". vic.netball.com.au. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 3)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  21. ^ a b "2005 Netball NSW – Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Phoenix soar to third title". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 September 2002. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  23. ^ a b c d "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 4)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Phoenix claim title in front of record crowd". www.abc.net.au. 12 September 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Swifts take title in thriller". www.abc.net.au. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g "Netball Australia - Annual Report 04" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  27. ^ a b c d "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 5)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Phoenix claim fifth netball title". www.abc.net.au. 3 September 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Netball Australia - Annual Report 05" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  30. ^ a b c "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 6)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  31. ^ a b c d e f "Netball Australia - Annual Report 06" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g "Netball Australia – Annual Report 2007" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  33. ^ "Sydney Swifts win final". www.abc.net.au. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  34. ^ "Swifts defend national league title". www.abc.net.au. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
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