In a huge win for South Australian netball fans, Adelaide has secured the rights to host next year's Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.
The 2024 premiership game will take place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (AEC), with dates to be announced once the Suncorp Super Netball fixture is finalised.
The state's premier netball team, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, will also call the AEC home from next season, allowing the team to grow their passionate fan base even further.
The move of elite netball's home to the AEC will allow the Government of South Australia to begin plans for the rejuvenation of the ageing Netball SA stadium at Mile End.
The 25-year-old stadium is set be modernised, so it can better cater for the netball community and maximise community participation in the sport into the future.
Netball SA has close to 35,000 members, most of whom are women and girls.
The organisation's CEO Bronwyn Klei described both announcements as 'monumental' for the netball community in South Australia.
"South Australia is a huge netball state and I have no doubt our community will welcome the Grand Final here in Adelaide in 2024," she said.
"Securing the Adelaide Entertainment Centre as the host of Thunderbirds home games in 2024 is significant for our club.
"With record membership numbers and a sell-out season in 2023, a move to AEC will allow our Pink Army to continue to grow while we work with the state government to turn Netball SA Stadium into the facility our community deserves.
"I would like to thank the state government for backing our sport and helping to ensure the future sustainability of netball for generations to come."
The excitement about the double announcement was echoed by Adelaide Thunderbirds captain, Hannah Petty.
"This announcement is incredibly exciting for our club and our entire netball family. The atmosphere our Pink Army is able to create at a venue like the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is second-to-none and we love playing there," Ms Petty said.
Ms Petty and the rest of the Thunderbirds took on the NSW Swifts in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final on Saturday July 8 at Melbourne's John Cain Arena and won in a nailbiting finish by just one goal. After the match went into extra time The Thunderbirds ultimately came out on top, with the final score 60-59.
The Thunderbirds can now look ahead to defending their epic win on home soil but, before they turn their attention to 2024, the victorious team will be honoured with a State reception to be held at a later date.
