2011 ANZ Championship season
| 2011 ANZ Championship season | |
|---|---|
| League | ANZ Championship |
| Sport | Netball |
| Duration | 13 February 2011 - 22 May 2011 |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| TV partner(s) |
One HD (Australia) Network Ten (Australia) SKY Sports (NZ) TVNZ (NZ) |
| Champions | Queensland Firebirds |
| Runners-up | Northern Mystics |
| Minor premiers | Queensland Firebirds |
| Season MVP |
Leana de Bruin Natalie Medhurst |
| Top scorer | Romelda Aiken (Firebirds) |
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.
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.
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.
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