The Super Netball season will have a different look to it this year when it begins in April with the Collingwood Magpies no longer part of the competition.
The franchise elected not to renew their licence last year, which resulted in the Melbourne Mavericks entering into the eight-team comp for 2024.
What happened to the Collingwood Magpies? The demise of the Super Netball club, explained
"The decision to not renew our netball licence has been an incredibly difficult one which has weighed heavily on us,” chief executive Craig Kelly said upon the announcement of Collingwood’s withdrawal.
MORE: Who are the Melbourne Mavericks?
Kelly noted how an internal review into the club’s health led to the realisation that they couldn’t viably operate in the Super Netball comp.
"As a club, we are tasked with continuing to deliver growth across all areas of Collingwood and ultimately, the review, which analysed key aspects of the club’s netball program and that of the governing body, determined that the program is not sustainable," Kelly explained.
"We acknowledge we could have run a better netball program at Collingwood."
Kelly highlighted how financial issues meant the Magpies required assistance from the league and Netball Australia to be able to continue, although these two parties were ultimately unable to help.
"Throughout this process, we met with Netball Australia and SSN on multiple occasions to explore potential solutions," Kelly said.
"The challenges Netball Australia has experienced and continues to experience in terms of profitability combined with the current impasse in regard to finalising the TPA (Team Participation Agreement) and CPA (Collective Player Agreement), played a key role in our decision-making."
The demise of the Magpies brought their six-year stay in the league to an end with three finishes inside the top four three elimination final appearances to go with two last-placed finishes.
"As a playing group the decision has been overwhelming," Collingwood's players noted in a joint statement after the club’s withdrawal had been confirmed with four games remaining of the 2023 campaign.
"The impact on each athlete has been significant and the prospect of playing out the remaining games, right now, seems inconceivable.
"We acknowledge the club has been transparent with the commercial realities that led to this decision.
"We acknowledge the club has also accepted the program could have been better. We appreciate and respect their candidness."
The Magpies went on to win just four games during their final season as they finished in last place.
Their demise playing out in front of dwindling crowd numbers with the club failing to reach its potential under the banner of the AFL powerhouse.
"Those in the know say netball is at the bottom of Collingwood's priority list," the ABC reported.
"It runs in the order of AFL, VFL, AFLW, VFLW and then Super Netball."
How to watch Super Netball 2024 in Australia
Every match will continue to be shown live and on-demand via Fox Sports and Kayo.
Select matches will be made available to stream for free on Kayo Freebies.
