The 2011 ANZ Championship season was the fourth season of the ANZ Championship in Australasia, commencing on 13 February. The 2011 season started much earlier in the year compared with previous seasons, to accommodate the 2011 Netball World Championships in July. The condensed season comprised 69 matches played over 15 weeks, including an initial 12-week round-robin stage, followed by a three-week finals stage. Several rule changes have also been implemented in 2011. At the completion of the round-robin competition, the Firebirds emerged undefeated as minor premiers, progressing to the finals stage with the Magic, Swifts and Mystics. The Firebirds progressed to the grand final to face the Mystics after the Mystics defeated the Swifts and Magic in successive weeks. The grand final was contested on 22 May in Brisbane and in front of a capacity crowd, the Firebirds defeated the Mystics by 57–44 to emerge as champions for the 2011 season, successfully completing a perfect season in the process.
Overview
Format
Due to the World Netball Championships in July, the 2011 season was condensed into 15 weeks. The regular season was conducted in a round-robin, played over 12 weeks, during which each team played every other team once, and also played teams from their home country a second time. As a result of the condensed season, teams generally did not have byes in 2011, and in some rounds also had to play "double-header" matches. The top four teams from the round-robin stage progressed to the finals stage, played over three weeks in a Page-McIntyre System. Round 3 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 5 matchups in 2011, round 5 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 4 matchups in 2011, round 12 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 9 matchups in 2011, round 13 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 12 matchups in 2011, and round 14 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 11 matchups in 2011. Also, for the Rivalry Round, round 4 matchups in 2010 were identical to round 7 matchups in 2011. In addition, in trans-Tasman matches the home and away teams were switched around from 2010 to ensure that the teams get to play home and away games over two years: e.g., the Fever hosted the Tactix in round 2 in 2010, but the same game in 2011 was hosted by the Tactix.
Rules
Matches are played under international netball rules. The 2011 season saw the implementation of new player import rules for all teams. Previously, Australian teams were allowed two import or "ineligible" players as of right, while New Zealand teams were allowed one import and one ineligible player, with the approval of Netball New Zealand. In 2011, all teams were allowed one import player as of right, and were able to apply for another ineligible player. In addition, the assistance package for teams finishing in the bottom two placings of the competition ladder for two consecutive seasons was discontinued. For the first time this season, three all-Australian matches were umpired by two New Zealand umpires, and three all–New Zealand matches were umpired by Australian umpires. Previously, all-Australian matches were umpired by Australian umpires and all–New Zealand matches were umpired by New Zealand umpires.
Teams
All ten teams from the inaugural season continued in 2011. * The main venue for the Southern Steel – Stadium Southland in Invercargill – was severely damaged during heavy snowfall on 18 September 2010. The Steel played most of their 2011 home games at the adjoining ILT Velodrome, which did not suffer heavy damage.
Player transfers
Pre-season
With the condensed format, the official preseason tournament – the Netball Cup – was not held in 2011. Instead, alternative tournaments and matches were organised in both countries, starting in late January. In Sydney the New South Wales Swifts hosted the Vixens, Thunderbirds and Fever in the first preseason tournament, from 22–23 January. After two days of matches, the host team went through undefeated to win the competition. The Southern Steel hosted their annual pre-season tournament in Queenstown the following weekend, from 28–30 January. The tournament was contested by the Pulse, Tactix, Steel and Firebirds; the Swifts were initially scheduled to attend but later withdrew in favour of playing two matches in Auckland against the Mystics. After three days of competition, the Queensland Firebirds defeated the Central Pulse 50–46 in the grand final to win the 2011 tournament. In other preseason events, the Northern Mystics played the New South Wales Swifts in two five-quarter matches in Auckland from 29–30 January. The weekend finished with both sides winning one match each: the Swifts defeating the Mystics 64–61 in the first match, followed by a 61–52 victory for the Mystics the next day. A week later, the Mystics travelled to Te Awamutu to play a one-off, five-quarter match against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, on 6 February. The Magic surged ahead in the third quarter of the match, and held on to record a 62–54 win in their only preseason outing.
Regular season
Standings
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
* Originally scheduled for 27 February, but postponed due to the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Subsequently rescheduled and moved to Auckland as a fundraiser match.
Round 4
* Originally scheduled to be played in Christchurch. Following the 22 February earthquake, the match was moved to Rotorua, although the match is still considered a "home" game for the Tactix.
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7: Rivalry Round
All matches in this round were trans-Tasman clashes. Goals scored by all teams from each country were tallied together, with the country accumulating the highest number of goals winning the round. After five matches, Australia won the 2011 Rivalry Round with an aggregate score of 263–239 over New Zealand.
Round 8
Daylight saving ends on 3 April in New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Finals
----
Minor semifinal
----
Major semifinal
----
Preliminary final
----
Grand final
----
Festival of the Stars
The Festival of the Stars is a charity match where two celebrity teams play each other to win money for their charities. The captains of the match in 2011 were Adam Spencer and Charlie Pickering. The match was played in two 15-minute halves and umpired by former Australian representatives Alison Broadbent and Shelley O'Donnell. The show was hosted by Kelli Underwood and Liz Ellis with Sue Gaudion the courtside expert. The celebrity teams were as follows: ---- ----
Season statistics
As of Sunday 22 May.
Awards
Season MVP
Players were nominated during the round-robin matches for the 2011 ANZ Championship season's Most Valuable Player award. The five players with the highest nomination points are listed in the table below. The eventual joint winners of the award are highlighted in green.
Best Young Player Award
Five players were nominated for the 2011 ANZ Championship season's Best Young Player award, during rounds 8–12. All nominees are listed in the table below. The 2011 winner is highlighted in green.
All Star Team
The 2011 season saw the first appearance of a season All-Star team. A panel of four netball commentators and writers selected the best player in each position, as well as the team's coach.
