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.
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Between 1997 and 2003, Sydney Sandpipers played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Adelaide Ravens, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Queensland Firebirds and Sydney Swifts, Sandpipers were one of the founding members of the league. The majority of the teams were named after native Australian birds. The team was initially referred to as Sydney Eagles before been re-named Sydney Sandpipers after the sandpiper. Together with Sydney Swifts and Hunter Jaegers, Sandpipers were one of three teams to represent Netball New South Wales in the competition.
Sydney Sandpipers best performance in the league came in 2000. With a team featuring Natalie Avellino and Joanne Morgan, they finished third in the regular season, above their neighbours, Sydney Swifts. Sandpipers continued to play in the competition until 2003. NNSW withdrew the team from the competition, saying it was unable to support a second Sydney-based team. NNSW successfully applied to replace Sandpipers with a new team based outside the Sydney metropolitan area and in 2004 they were replaced by the Newcastle-based Hunter Jaegers.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Lost Drawn19974th77019986th491 19996th3110 20003rd941 20014th95020025th761 20035th590
Home venues In 1997 Sandpipers played their home games at the Anne Clark Netball Centre in Lidcombe. In 1998 they moved to the State Sports Centre.
Notable former players Internationals
Megan Anderson Natalie Avellino Nicole Cusack Sharon Finnan Mo'onia Gerrard Alex Hodge Sue Kenny Joanne Morgan Susan Pratley Carissa Tombs
Abby Teare
Captains Captains YearsSue Kenny1997–1998Carissa Tombs1999 Joanne Morgan2000–2003 Natalie Avellino2001–2002
Notes In 2001 and 2002, Joanne Morgan and Natalie Avellino were co-captains.
Most Appearances Players MatchesNatalie Avellino71Joanne Morgan68Mo'onia Gerrard67Danielle Harvey53Nicole McMahon51Katrina McCaffery37Kirsten Moore36Christine O'Connor34Penny Wannop29Alison Tucker27Kristy Doyle27Sharon Finnan27Alex Hodge26Carissa Tombs25Vicki Roberts25
Award winners Best New Talent Season Player 1999Mo'onia Gerrard
Head coaches Coach Years Matches Won Lost Drawn Win %Margaret Corbett1997–20004314281 33% Lenore Blades2000–2001301811160% Anita Keelan2002–2003281215143%
Sponsorship Sponsors Seasons Decoré1997–2003 ?Sydney University2001
References