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.

Adelaide Ravens
Founded1996
Disbanded2002
Based inAdelaide
RegionSouth Australia
Home venueETSA Park
Adelaide Arena
LeagueCommonwealth Bank Trophy

History edit

Between 1997 and 2002, Adelaide Ravens played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Queensland Firebirds, Sydney Sandpipers and Sydney Swifts, Ravens were one of the founding members of the league. The majority of the teams were named after native Australian birds. Ravens were named after the Australian raven. Ravens and Thunderbirds represented Netball South Australia and each team was assigned four state league clubs to select players from.[1][2][3][4][5]

In 1999, with a team coached by Patricia Mickan and featuring Megan Anderson and Michelle den Dekker, Ravens finished the season as overall runners up. After finishing fourth during the regular season, Ravens defeated Kestrels 61–53 in the minor semi-final and Swifts 56–54 in the preliminary final. In the grand final they lost to 62–30 to Thunderbirds.[2]

In August 2002, Netball Australia decided to drop Ravens from the league. They were subsequently replaced by AIS Canberra Darters.[6][7][8][9]

Regular season statistics
Season Position Won Lost Drawn
1997[1] 5th 5 9 0
1998[1] 4th 8 6 0
1999[2] 4th 9 4 1
2000[2] 8th 0 13 1
2001[3][10] 6th 4 10 0
2002[3] 9th 2 12 0
Grand finals
Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
1999[2][5][11] Adelaide Thunderbirds 62–30 Adelaide Ravens ETSA Park

Home venues edit

Ravens played their home games at ETSA Park and Adelaide Arena.

Notable former players edit

Internationals edit

  Australia

Source:[1][2][3]

Captains edit

Captains Years
Michelle den Dekker 1999–2000
Trudy Gardner-Baker[3][15][16] c. 2001
Danielle Grant[6][17] 2002

Head coaches edit

Coach Years
Julie Francou[18] 1997
Patricia Mickan[2] c. 1999

Sponsorship edit

Sponsors Seasons
Wendy's[19] 1997–2002 ?

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 1)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 2)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 3)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Adelaide Thunderbirds - ANZ Championship". www.anz-championship.com. 22 April 2003. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Adelaide Thunderbirds – History". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 4)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  7. ^ "League dumps Ravens for AIS team". www.theage.com.au. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  8. ^ "New look for 2003". www.abc.net.au. 22 April 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  9. ^ "End of the road for Sydney Sandpipers". www.theage.com.au. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Netball Australia Annual Report 2001" (PDF). ausport.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 August 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Jacqui Delaney". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Megan Anderson". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Den Dekker is SA's greatest". www.adelaidenow.com.au. 9 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Kristen Heinrich". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Netball's Childcare is a Game Changer for Women's Sports". www.sportette.com.au. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Leader stands by sex bias stance". www.theaustralian.com.au. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Netball: Wash your mouths out, 'role models' warned". www.nzherald.co.nz. 11 July 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Julie Francou". Australia national netball team. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Home Ground Advantage in the Australian Netball League (Commonwealth Bank Trophy)" (PDF). researchbank.swinburne.edu.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.