Monday 15 May 2017 22:03, UK
Loughborough Lightning, Wasps, Manchester Thunder and Surrey Storm have been confirmed as entrants at September's British Fast5 All-Stars Championship.
After the announcement in April about the exciting new event to be held at London's O2 and shown live on Sky Sports, Matchroom Sport have confirmed four of the eight teams who will be featuring in the capital later this year.
And the four franchises, who currently occupy the play-off places in the Vitality Superleague, will be joined by four more teams to be announced at a later date for the showpiece weekend which will also feature British basketball teams..
The inaugural British Fast5 All-Stars Championship will see eight five-player teams competing in a double elimination group stage for a spot in the semi-finals before the final that will eventually see the winners take home £25,000.
Introducing exciting new innovations such as a double-point Power Play, 5-point line and 12-minute matches, the British Fast5 All-Stars brings netball back to The O2 and allows teams to include two global All-Star players in their squad.
"We are thrilled to be announcing the current Netball Superleague top four as the first teams confirmed to take part in the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship," said Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn.
"With £25,000 on offer to the winning team we expected the most fierce competition as we continue netball's rapid growth by bringing it to centre-stage at The O2 for one all-action afternoon."
