Now, Chelsea Bolton and Te-Arn Bradley are ready to work together as teammates for the South Coast Blaze.

The pair, who grew up playing in the Illawarra netball competition, are proud to represent their region in the Blaze's inaugural NSW Premier League season. However, their debut has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Te-Arn and I have known each other for years but I don't think we've ever played together - we've always versed each other," Berkeley's Bolton said.

"A lot of the girls in the team are from the South Coast but I haven't really played with anyone but Abbey McFadden. It's good to see so many South Coast girls playing for the South Coast.

"It's great to have a team here, it feels like home. I grew up here and even some of the coaches are from here. I can't wait to start playing."

Bolton, 21, started playing in the Illawarra District Netball Association's competition when she was five.

"I grew up coming through Illawarra and then I went to Sydney," the centre said.

"In the Premier League, I played for the Panthers but I didn't play because I had a back injury. This year, I saw the South Coast had a team and I thought I'd give it a go.

"I just love how fast and how competitive netball is, especially at the Premier League level. And we've got Canberra and Illawarra teams now, and obviously Sydney teams too. Every team is strong and brings something different, so it's not like you have a couple of teams that are harder [to play] than the rest."

See more: South Coast Blaze ready to impress this year

The chance to play closer to home in 2020 also proved enticing for Corrimal netballer Te-Arn Bradley.

Bradley, 21, also grew up playing netball in the Illawarra before switching to Sutherland to compete in rep teams six years ago.

"I had to go up there to get play at that higher level of netball. I stayed with Sydney teams through State League and Premier League, then I came back down to the Illawarra," the wing defence/goalkeeper said.

"Playing for the Blaze means extra sleep-ins. I think that travel does take a lot out of your day - you need to plan around netball and sacrifice a lot. But having that extra time does help. Even for things like gym sessions."

While netball has been suspended, Bradley said the Blaze players had already formed a close bond.

"I think with the level we play, we all have a common goal. Even with losing, which sucks, at least we're all in it together," Bradley said.

"We've got players who've come from everywhere and played at all different levels. Even at training and with one pre-season game against Sutherland [before netball suspension], you could see how much we grew. We hadn't played together but we were putting it all out of the court. The difference between the first and last quarter showed how much we'd been communicating, on and off the court.

"The vibe between the girls, when everyone is working hard for one thing, makes such a big difference."

As the waiting game continues until netball returns, South Coast Blaze's Te-Arn Bradley has turned to friends to keep her fit and motivated.

The 21-year-old defender is using the app FaceTime to complete her at-home training program alongside her teammates - from the comfort of their living rooms.

"It means we can do workouts together," she said.

"Because we're all a little bit competitive, it kind of pushes a little bit more than what we would by ourselves."

All group training sessions and netball games remain suspended for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Netball NSW is scheduled to release an update about the situation on April 15.

With the Blaze set to make their NSW Premier League debut in 2020, Bradley admitted it had been a "little frustrating" to keep waiting.

"Given how long pre-season was, we're all pretty keen to get out on the netball court," Bradley said.

"But it's going to be worth it when we do get out there."

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