Latest news with #NNZ
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NNZ finally confirms premiership will go ahead next year
After weeks of uncertainty, Netball New Zealand has confirmed the ANZ Premiership will return in 2026. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the competition is locked in for next season and logistics were still being explored. But she did confirm all six franchises would return and the competition was likely to be during a similar time frame — from May to July — due to the Commonwealth Games. Wyllie was pleased to affirm the competition's status. "It's been really important for us to give that sort of certainty to our system," Wyllie said. NNZ was "still working through a whole bunch of things" but with the announcement was "able to at least give that comfort so that we can all move on and really focus on the product we're delivering this year" Signing a broadcast deal — which was scaled back for the 2025 season leading NNZ to produce the Saturday games in-house — was not far away either. "We're still working on what the optimum broadcast scenario is for the sport. There's lots of moving parts in that. "It's something that we are not too far off being able to finalise, but we've just got to make sure that we explore all of those options thoroughly." All options for the future of domestic netball, including returning to a three-round ANZ Premiership, moving the competition's timeframe to allow players to compete in Australia and joining Australia's Super Netball, are being considered. But they could not be put in action until 2027, Wyllie said. "We're considering all of the options of what our future product might look like. "But [2027] gives us enough time to plan it, [get] some really good insight from the market, engage with the players, and the fans, to make sure that whatever changes, or considerations, that we have on the table are well thought through." Several players have expressed their concerns for their future with the uncertainty of the ANZ Premiership. Asked if she felt there had been enough communication, Wyllie said NNZ worked closely with the New Zealand Players Association, which had been informed "the entire way through our discussions". "They will be sharing, as appropriate, with the athletes, and to be able to give them clarity around the future." Southern Steel coach Wendy Frew said it had been an unsettling time for players, but they were focused on the season ahead. "To be honest, we haven't talked about it a lot," Frew said. "It is unsettling, but at the moment we're just focusing on the opposition and what we can control. "Next year, at the moment, we can't control. We're just trying to put our best foot forward for the season. "This netball competition's the best one in the world. We need it to keep going, so we're grateful that we're playing in it and we're just hopeful that it continues." Having reduced games had made it tough this season. "You pretty much could lose six games and you're not in playoff contention. "It's been hard to fit everything in the preseason, but every team's in the same boat, so you've just got to adapt as well as you can and just try put it all out there." Frew said she did not mind whether New Zealand joined the Australia domestically again, but hoped "this league stays alive". "It's a fantastic competition. "Whether it be the New Zealand domestic comp or we join the Aussies — I mean, I loved playing the Aussies — but whatever's best for the game in New Zealand. "Whatever's going to keep growing the sport and keeping those young girls, and boys, coming through and playing the game."
Otago Daily Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Silver Ferns coach's Australian foray allows her to ‘stay sharp'
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has been spreading her wings across the Ditch. Taurua returned home yesterday after a three-week professional development stint with the New South Wales Swifts, strengthening the connection between the Silver Ferns and the Australian Super Netball club. The Swifts are home to Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke and coach Briony Akle, who is a specialist coach with the Silver Ferns. Taurua previously spent nine days as a specialist with the club last season. Taurua joined the Swifts for their past three games, the Swifts beating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 65-57, the Queensland Firebirds 71-63 and the Melbourne Vixens 59-51 to remain the only unbeaten team after five games. Those games allowed Taurua to sight Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, who is now pregnant, Latanya Wilson and Romelda Aiken-George, Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok and English Roses Imogen Allison and Helen Housby. Netball New Zealand head of high performance Stephen Hotter said the relationship benefited everyone and helped build connections. ''Coaching opportunities such as this engagement are essential for Dame Noeline to stay sharp and engaged at an elite level during the domestic season,'' Hotter said. ''It also enables Noeline to observe top international talent and note the progress that they've made in their game and it enables us to stay connected and support Grace where needed.'' Taurua had been impressed by Nweke's performances in the tough league, where she already looked fitter, stronger and had adjusted her game. Nweke leads the competition with 249 goals from 266 attempts — Melbourne Mavericks Jamaican shooter Shimona Jok is next on 235 — and is third for offensive rebounds with 15. Nweke is ineligible to play internationally at present due to NNZ criteria requiring players to hone their craft domestically in New Zealand. Taurua told Newstalk ZB last week her stance had not changed on wanting Nweke to be available for the Silver Ferns, but understood the NNZ board's point of view as well. She hoped they could meet in the middle in the near future. Taurua is no stranger to the Australian league. She was the inaugural coach of the Sunshine Coast Lightning and led them to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. She returned home in time for the ANZ Premiership season, which got under way at the weekend.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Alexander wants NZ teams in Aussie contest
By Bridget Tunnicliffe of RNZ New Zealand needs teams playing domestically in Australia as soon as possible, former Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says. Alexander, who coached the Diamonds from 2011 to 2020, wants New Zealand involved in Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN), where there are unlimited imports. Alexander, now a columnist, said it was in the interests of netball on both sides of the Tasman. ''It's really important that our closest rivals and neighbours are strong in netball, otherwise our global reach is not going to improve,'' Alexander said. ''The English Super League has taken a big step forward this year with every match on TV and lots of coverage, very professional. ''If New Zealand had two teams in the SSN, I think would be a big boost for audiences across both countries.'' The ANZ Premiership replaced the former transtasman championship, which ended in 2016. Both countries had five teams in that league but the landscape has changed. Alexander said two teams would be the most New Zealand could expect, if expanded from its current eight teams. RNZ understands Netball NZ (NNZ) is looking at securing franchise licences in SSN, but 2027 would be the earliest opportunity with the broadcast deal for that competition in place until the end of 2026. NNZ is negotiating a new broadcast deal now. The current deal expires at the end of this year. Alexander coached when former Silver Fern Laura Langman was barred internationally due to playing in Australia. Grace Nweke is banned due to playing in Australia this year. ''You need her, and World Netball needs her playing for her country, not sitting out. I think it's ridiculous and I think it needs changing,'' Alexander said. ''It's no coincidence that New Zealand won a world title in 2019 off the back of Noeline coaching here and Laura having played here and then getting some of your older players back. ''But you need your players playing in the top competition.'' Alexander said if New Zealand joined the SSN, it would eliminate that issue. ''Some of your players could also play for Australian clubs - that's another possibility. ''And I'm sure Noeline Taurua would love that because it gives her Silver Ferns lots of competition and it just brings more interest as well.'' ''I know there are people in New Zealand that want this, and I think it will be great for netball in general.'' Alexander said netball was facing much more competition from other women's sports such as rugby union, league, football and cricket. ''But you guys have got so much more competition in a smaller pool of people and talent, so it is vital that we get you into this competition as soon as possible on so many levels and particularly economic reasons. ''But for those young athletes who are aspiring to play at the very top and want media coverage, well they need to be playing in the world's best domestic league to get that.''
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Netball New Zealand claims six-team ANZ Premiership coming in 2026 - but no broadcast deal yet
Netball New Zealand is firming plans for next year's ANZ Premiership - despite a broadcast deal still not being in place. The governing body is planning for the retention of a six-team Kiwi competition in 2026, which has been in place since 2017. The current broadcast deal with Sky - which upholds the pay model - expires this year. Without one, the ANZ Premiership as we know it will cease to exist. Just three weeks ago, NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie refused to confirm all six franchises will survive beyond this season.
