WEST Coast Fever will start their 2026 Suncorp Super Netball campaign in front of the Green Army at RAC Arena against the Sunshine Coast Lightning on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The earlier than usual start was brought forward by almost a month to accommodate the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

There are five Sunday games at home along with one Saturday evening game and a marquee, standalone Friday night fixture against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in round 9.

Fever will also host reigning premiers the Melbourne Vixens in an Anzac Day round clash on Sunday, April 26.

Regional netball fans will be able to enjoy a Fever’s final home game against the Mavericks in Round 12 over the WA Day long weekend, coinciding with Netball WA’s Fuel To Go & Play Association Championships.

It will also be the West Coast Fever’s home First Nations round match.

Head Coach Dan Ryan said the club was excited to host another Friday night clash for a third consecutive season.

“We’ve started to build something special with Friday night netty,” he said.

“It showcases our club in a standalone, marquee slot across the country and it brings new fans to netball which is good for West Coast Fever and good for the competition,” he said.

“Our fans were insane in 2025 and we cannot wait to step onto the court in round one at RAC Arena and show them what we are made of.

“There is good consistency and balance in terms of home and away fixtures which lets us get into the flow of the season early on.

“The run home has some extended travel in there, but we embraced those types of challenges really well last season, and we will look to do the same again next season.”

This follows on from Midland sisters Ruth and Sunday Aryang’s re-signing with the team announced earlier this year.

Fever re-signs Aryang sisters reported the two were part of the squad of 10 contracted athletes for 2026.

Mr Ryan said Ruth was a generational talent with a very bright future.

Meanwhile, West Coast Fever was also announced to be under new management as Sara Francis-Bayman steps in as the new general manager.

Ms Francis-Bayman will take over the role immediately, replacing former general manager Sue Gaudion.

Since retiring from playing netball in 2017, Ms Francis-Bayman has coached in her own right in the UK with the Loughborough Lightning as well as serving as an Assistant Coach for Fever and Scotland.

While at Loughborough she also spent time as the director of netball for Loughborough University, where she provided strategic direction, leadership and oversaw the elite programme.

She was also Netball WA’s assistant talent coach in 2023, working with West Australian pathway athletes helping them prepare for the national netball championships.