Super Netball has farewelled another player during the contract stalemate, with Collingwood’s Jacqui Newton announcing she’s heading to play in the UK.
Newton has signed for the Cardiff Dragons for 2024, after being left in limbo with the Magpies’ demise in the Super Netball competition.
With contracts still unable to be offered to Super Netball athletes despite the announcement of the eighth licence to replace Collingwood, Newton opted to lock up her future in the England’s Netball Super League.
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“SURPRISE,” she posted on social media.
“Taking a break from our regularly scheduled holiday content to announce the next adventure – hey Cardiff Dragons. Year of the Dragon.
“Excited for my first visit to Wales and the opportunity to live there.
“I’m so excited to play there.”
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Newton has played 33 Super Netball games for both the Melbourne Vixens and her most recent club the Collingwood Magpies since debuting back in 2018.
The 26-year-old had been one of the 10 Collingwood athletes permitted to speak with rival clubs given the Magpies are no longer a Super Netball franchise.
But with those teams unable to offer anything other than a verbal promise, Newton has joined her Magpies teammate Geva Mentor in heading overseas to join the NSL.
Magpies training partner Zoe Davies has also announced she’s signed for the NSL at the Leeds Rhinos to play alongside Mentor for 2024.
“I am so excited for the opportunity with the Rhinos,” she said.
“I have heard great things and it will be fantastic to get to work with Geva again too.
“I can’t wait to get over there and to begin my journey with the Rhinos.”
Davies heads to England on a high after helping the Magpies claim last month’s Australian Netball Championships title.
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Newton will be joined at the Dragons by another former Super Netball athlete in Elle McDonald, who spent last season at the Leeds Rhinos.
McDonald, a former Melbourne Vixen and Adelaide Thunderbird, is now part of the England squad and made her debut for the Roses last year.
McDonald will once again get the chance to don the red dress, after being selected for the upcoming tour of New Zealand later this month.
She will be joined on that tour by Sasha Glasgow who last month announced her departure from the West Coast Fever in a big move this off-season.
Newton’s departure from Super Netball sees her join the likes of Rahni Samason and Kelea Iongi who have both signed to play in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership in opting out of the Australian competition.
