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Founded | 1997 |
---|---|
Ceased | 2007 |
Replaced by | ANZ Championship |
No. of teams | 8 |
Country | Australia |
Last champion(s) | Sydney Swifts (4th title) |
Most titles | Melbourne Phoenix (5 titles) |
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.
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]
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 |
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 |
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] |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
ABC were the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league's official broadcast partner. [26] [32]
Perth Orioles were an Australian netball team that, between 1997 and 2007, represented Netball Western Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Orioles were one of the founding teams of the competition. They never finished higher than sixth in the competition's eleven seasons and finished last four times. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Perth Orioles were rebranded as West Coast Fever.
Melbourne Phoenix were an Australian netball team that represented Netball Victoria in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Between 1997 and 2007, together with Melbourne Kestrels, they were one of two teams to represent Netball Victoria in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era. Phoenix were the inaugural CBT champions and went on to become the competition's most successful team, winning five premierships. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Phoenix and Kestrels merged to form Melbourne Vixens.
Sydney Swifts were an Australian netball team based in Sydney. Between 1997 and 2007, they represented Netball New South Wales in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Sydney Sandpipers and Hunter Jaegers, they were one of three teams to represent NNSW in the competition. After Melbourne Phoenix, Swifts were the league's second most successful team, winning four premierships and three minor premierships. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Swifts and Jaegers merged to form New South Wales Swifts.
Queensland Firebirds are an Australian professional netball team based in Brisbane, Queensland. Since 2017 they have played in Suncorp Super Netball. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship and between 1997 and 2007, they played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Firebirds were the most successful team during the ANZ Championship era, playing in five grand finals and winning three premierships, in 2011, 2015 and 2016. They were the only team to win back to back ANZ Championship titles.
Adelaide Thunderbirds are an Australian professional netball team based in Adelaide, South Australia. Since 2017 they have played in Suncorp Super Netball. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship and between 1997 and 2007, they played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Thunderbirds have won five premierships. They won their first two premierships in 1998 and 1999 during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, their third and fourth in 2010 and 2013 during ANZ Championship era, and their sixth in 2023, 2024 during the suncorp netball era. Historically, Thunderbirds are one of Australia's most successful netball teams. Between 1997 and 2010 they finished in the top three of every regular season, and are the first and only team to win a Trophy at all 3 eras.
Jacqui Delaney is a former Australia netball international. Between 1997 and 2002 she made 21 senior appearances for Australia. Delaney was a member of the Australia teams that won the gold medals at the 1999 World Netball Championships and the 2002 Commonwealth Games. At club level, Delaney played for Contax in both the South Australia state league and the Mobil Superleague and for Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. She was a member of the Thunderbirds squad won two premierships and grand finals in 1998 and 1999.
Sydney Sandpipers were an Australian netball team based in Sydney. Between 1997 and 2003, they represented Netball New South Wales in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Sydney Swifts and Hunter Jaegers, they were one of three teams to represent NNSW in the competition. In 1997 Sandpipers were founder members of the league. They continued to play in the competition until 2003, when they were replaced by Hunter Jaegers.
Catherine Anne Cox is a former Australian netball international and current netball commentator and podcaster. Between 1997 and 2013, she made 108 senior appearances for Australia. She was a prominent member of the Australia teams that won gold medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the 2007 and 2011 World Netball Championships. She was also a member of the Australia teams that won silver medals at the 2003 World Netball Championships and the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games. Cox captained Australia on seven occasions, including when they won the 2011 Constellation Cup.
The ANZ Championship, also known as the Trans-Tasman Netball League, is a former netball league featuring teams from both Australia and New Zealand. Between 2008 and 2016, it was the top-level league in both countries. The competition was owned and administered by Trans-Tasman Netball League Ltd (TTNL), a joint venture between Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand. It was effectively a merger of Australia's Commonwealth Bank Trophy and New Zealand's National Bank Cup. Its main sponsor was the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.
Megan Anderson, also known as Megan McWilliams and previously known as Megan Dehn, is a former Australia netball international and current netball coach. Between 2000 and 2006 she made 20 senior appearances for Australia. She was a member of the Australia team that won the silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. During the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, Anderson was a member of Sydney Swifts teams that won premierships in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007. During the ANZ Championship era, she played for Southern Steel and Northern Mystics. After retiring as a player in 2011, she became a coach. In 2020 Anderson was appointed head coach of Queensland Firebirds.
Jane Altschwager is a former Australia netball international. During the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era, Altschwager made 81 senior appearances for Adelaide Thunderbirds, Sydney Swifts and Hunter Jaegers. Between 1999 and 2004, she was a member of three premiership winning squads – 1999 with Thunderbirds and 2001 and 2004 with Swifts. During the ANZ Championship era she re-joined Thunderbirds and also played for Central Pulse. Altschwager captained both Jaegers and Pulse. After retiring as a netball player, Altschwager went on to play women's Australian rules football for North Adelaide in the SANFL Women's League.
Rebecca Bulley, also known as Rebecca Strachan, is a former Australia netball international and current netball coach. Between 2008 and 2015 she made 42 senior appearances for Australia. Bulley was a member of the Australia teams that won the gold medal at the 2015 Netball World Cup and the silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Bulley also won three ANZ Championship titles with three different teams – the 2008 New South Wales Swifts, the 2013 Adelaide Thunderbirds and the 2015 Queensland Firebirds. She began her senior club career with Melbourne Kestrels during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era and finished it playing for Giants Netball in Suncorp Super Netball.
Kirby Mutton, also known as Kirby Morley, is a former Australian netball player. Mutton played for both AIS Canberra Darters and Adelaide Thunderbirds during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era. Mutton also played for Contax in the South Australia state league and was a member of five premiership winning teams. Between 2003 and 2005, she represented Australia at under-21 level.
Melissa Rowland is a former Australian netball player. In 2007 Rowland was included in the Melbourne Phoenix Commonwealth Bank Trophy squad. She was also a member of the Adelaide Thunderbirds senior team during the 2008 and 2012 ANZ Championship seasons. Rowland was a member of both the Contax team that won the 2008 South Australia state league title and of the Southern Force team that won the 2012 Australian Netball League.
Natalie Avellino is a former Australian netball international and current netball coach. Between 1994 and 2006 she made 20 senior appearances for Australia. Avellino was a member of the Australia teams that won the gold medal at the 1995 World Netball Championships and the silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Peta Scholz, also known as Peta Squire, is a former Australia netball international. She was a member of the Australia teams that won the gold medals at the 1999 World Netball Championships and the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the silver medal at the 2003 World Netball Championships. Between 1997 and 2007, Scholz made 169 appearances for Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. She was a prominent member of the Thunderbirds teams that won five successive minor premierships between 1997 and 2001. She also played in six successive grand finals between 1997 and 2002, helping Thunderbirds win premierships in 1998 and 1999. In 2010 and 2011, Scholz played for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the ANZ Championship.
Jenny Borlase, also known as Jenny Kennett, is a former Australia netball international. Between 1989 and 1999 she made 70 senior appearances for Australia. She was a member of the Australia teams that won gold medals at the 1991, 1995 and 1999 World Netball Championships, the 1993 World Games and the 1998 Commonwealth Games. At club level, Borlase played for Garville in both the South Australia state league and the Mobil Superleague and for Adelaide Ravens and Melbourne Kestrels in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. She also represented South Australia. Borlase was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1992. After retiring as a player, Borlase has remained involved in netball as both an administrator and coach.
Simone McKinnis is a former Australia netball international and the current head coach of Melbourne Vixens in Suncorp Super Netball. As a player she was a member of the Australia teams that won gold medals at the 1991 and 1995 World Netball Championships, the 1993 World Games and the 1998 Commonwealth Games. She also captained the Melbourne Phoenix team that won the 1997 Commonwealth Bank Trophy. She was head coach when Vixens won the 2014 ANZ Championship and the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball titles. In 1992, McKinnis was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and in 2010 was inducted into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame.
Adelaide Ravens were an Australian netball team that, together with Adelaide Thunderbirds, represented Netball South Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. In 1997 Ravens were founder members of the league. In 1999 they were grand finalists. They continued to play in the competition until 2002, when they were replaced by AIS Canberra Darters.