Latest news with #Netball
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
ANZ Netball Premiership secures broadcast deal - all games free-to-air
TVNZ has now won exclusive rights for NZ Netball games next year. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ After months of negotiations, New Zealand Netball has secured a broadcast deal for the 2026 ANZ Premiership - and it will be free to air. Sky Sport has been the major broadcast partner of New Zealand Netball since 2008, but the national body is going back to TVNZ - its first home. How much TVNZ are actually paying for the rights, if any, is not being disclosed and it seems inevitable that players will have to take pay cuts next year. TVNZ has been in [ cost-saving mode but Netball NZ will be hoping that by having the games all free-to-air, they will attract bigger sponsorship deals. Last year Netball NZ and Sky TV agreed to a one-year extension to their broadcasting partnership. RNZ reported that it was a significantly reduced deal. In 2024, Netball NZ trialled free-to-air coverage of the ANZ Premiership, showing Saturday games live on TVNZ. This year, Netball NZ produced the Saturday game, which screened exclusively on TVNZ, and Sky got it on delay. TVNZ has now won exclusive rights for next year for the whole domestic competition. Games will be shown across TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. TVNZ head of sports, events and partnerships Melodie Robinson said netball was one of New Zealand's most popular codes and they were excited to have secured the competition. "Our netballers are at the top of their game, they're powerful wāhine toa, and we're thrilled to be connecting tamariki with the heroes who inspire them, bringing the excitement straight into their homes each weekend." Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie has welcomed the return of netball to free-to-air television, calling it a fantastic outcome for fans. "Following a season where we've seen, strong broadcast numbers, fantastic match attendances and unprecedented global viewership, it's exciting to now have the opportunity for even more New Zealanders to enjoy the game. Netball is played and loved by hundreds of thousands across Aotearoa, and this move will help bring the sport closer to communities nationwide." New rule innovations introduced this year, including the captain's timeout and the game changing two-point shot are set to return for the season to run Saturdays and Sundays starting in April. The competition will follow the two-round format, played between the six domestic teams across the motu before the finals series. There will be 30 round robin matches and two finals over a 12-week period. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Emotions run high as Giants farewell netball legend in Super Netball win
Emotions ran high as Giants Netball farewelled their retiring skipper Jo Harten in style, celebrating a 15 point win over the Melbourne Mavericks in Sydney. One of her club's foundation players, Harten announced this week that she was calling time on a decorated 20 year playing career. Jo Harten celebrates victory in her farewell match. Picture:With her long term coach, Julie Fitzgerald, in tears on the sidelines before the match even started, the former English Rose played a pivotal role in the win, using her game smarts to outfox opponents in the 74 to 59 point Super Netball victory. Harten went on to finish the match with 33 points, including seven from range, with a buzzer beater as her last ever touch of the ball. Speaking post match, Fitzgerald said, 'Watching her grow into the person she's become is probably more important to me than the netball. 'It's going to continue. She might take her bib off but she'll still have a big impact on netball in the world.' Jo Harten with Julie Fitzgerald post-match. Picture:Giants started slowly without youngster Erin O'Brien, who'd been named at goal defence but was missing when the opening whistle blew. One of her side's most consistent performers, O'Brien appeared halfway through the first quarter with a heavily strapped shoulder, after tweaking it in their warmup. With her return, the Giants upped their tempo after a poor start, to bring the scores back to almost level at quarter time. O'Brien went on to have a huge influence on the game, picking off five gains, as she underscored her credentials for a possible Diamonds' callup. With both sides ramping up their defensive pressure, while also making a range of attacking errors, there were multiple changes of possession in the second quarter. Centre Molly Jovic ran a marathon for the Mavericks as the ball pinged from end to end, finishing with 42 feeds and two valuable pickups. With the game locked on level terms at half time, Giant Jamie-Lee Price told commentary that the game was 'messy'. She said, 'We're getting plenty of ball, but we're just not scoring off it.' 'It's so simple, just score goals. I feel like we should be ahead by way more, but we're just making errors.' Despite most Mavericks playing for contracts, a blistering Giants second half saw them take the eventual win. Eight spaces still remain on the Melbourne based side's roster, and they could snaffle Jamie-Lee Price. Commentator Kim Green potentially let the cat out of the bag, letting slip that she has played her last game for the Giants. While the co-captain has a year left to run on her contract, there's been plenty of speculation that she will be released to head south and join her AFL-playing partner in Melbourne. HARTEN HANGS UP HER DRESS Jo Harten retires as one of netball's greats, having played 202 National League games and 117 tests for England. Among those was the Roses' historic Commonwealth Games medal in 2018, where they upset Australia on home soil. Known for her leadership, court craft and accuracy under the post, Harten has coaching experience with the Roses already under her belt, as she views a possible career in that space. MAVERICKS ON A MISSION As the Super Netball season comes to a close, Mavericks will be on a mission to bolster their ranks. Currently, captain Amy Parmenter and defender Kim Brown are the only two players contracted for 2026, with even the future of coach Tracey Neville up in the air. If the injury plagued side is hoping to climb the ladder next year, they will need a mixture of better luck and stronger roster in several areas of the court. With teams unable to talk to players from other clubs until the season has ended, it could explain why they still have a number of contracts waiting to be filled. THUNDERBIRDS THROUGH AFTER THRILLER The equation was simple for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning, win and play finals, lose and it's season over. And it was the Adelaide Thunderbirds who set up their chance at Super Netball history, with a 59 to 55 point victory and the chance to contest for their third premiership. With finals essentially starting a week early for the two sides in a do or die clash, it was MVP Matilda Garrett who led the way for the Thunderbirds, as they jumped to third on the ladder, with the chance to host the minor semi final pending results of the final game of the round. With their season on the line, both teams did well to hold their nerve and play measured netball in the first quarter. Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett pressures Lightning's Sophie Fretwell. Picture: Getty Images It was just before half time that the Thunderbirds cracked the game open. In a defensive unit normally headlined by Latanya Wilson, it was some Garrett magic that turned the fates of the Thunderbirds. She reeled in two intercepts and a rebound in the second quarter that allowed her side to jump out to a seven point lead heading into the main break. After her buzzer-beating two point shot to win the game last week, it seemed Fretwell's same accuracy to post failed to make the trip to Adelaide. Missing all three of her attempts, it was left to Reilley Batcheldor and Cara Koenen to do the heavy lifting, scoring three and four shots respectively. But with the damage already done, it was too late for the Lightning. With Courtney Bruce out for a second week in a row with a calf injury, Ash Ervin was tasked with quelling the impact of sharp shooter Romelda Aiken-George. While they matched each other for height, the strength of Aiken-George reigned supreme as she finished top scorer with 43 from 54. Romelda Aiken-George was key again for the Thunderbirds. Picture: Getty Images Highlighting the importance of the game, Aiken-George barrelled into the crowd on multiple occasions, running at speeds rarely seen since her glory days. Never in Super Netball history has a team won the premiership from third place, and only once has it been done from fourth, so the Thunderbirds face an uphill battle to be the first club to win three titles. They will be sweating on the fitness of goal attack Lauren Frew, who left the court in the last quarter with either a cramp or calf injury. Liz Watson holds possession for the Lightning under pressure from Thunderbirds' Sanmarie Visser. Picture: Getty Images THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO The thrilling win gives the Adelaide Thunderbirds the chance to defend their premiership, and strive for the elusive threepeat. They are just the second team to have the chance at this impressive feat, with the Lightning falling short in 2018 after succumbing to the Swifts in the Grand Final. With both NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens dropping form in the back half of the season, West Coast Fever are set to be their biggest hurdle on the way to a historic victory. Ashleigh Ervin could have a decent shot at selection for the Diamonds. Picture: Getty Images DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH With the Australian Diamonds squad set to be announced next week, there are a few players on the fringe of the squad who will be hoping for reselection. There is yet another injury cloud now looming over Courtney Bruce, who has missed the last two games and spent a significant portion of 2024 on the sidelines. Enter Ash Ervin. The 190cm goal keeper was named in the squad last year, but failed to get out on court. With minimal experience other than Sarah Klau, this could be her chance to nab a spot ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Daily Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Melbourne Vixens stun NSW Swifts in preliminary final comeback, grand final vs West Coast Fever
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Melbourne Vixens are riding high after a last ditch effort to beat the NSW Swifts by 66 to 65 points, to book their place in the 2025 Super Netball grand final. They came from behind in the dying seconds of the game, having trailed 51-41 after the third quarter, and will go into next week's match full of confidence having won eight of their last ten games. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Standing in their way however, will be the formidable West Coast Fever, who demolished the Swifts by 32 points in last weekend's major semi-final. Speaking post match captain and MVP Kate Moloney said, 'I'm exhausted but I'm so bloody proud. We were down by ten goals and we found something in that last quarter and they just never stopped fighting.' Coaching her second last match with the Vixens, Simone McKinnis, added, 'We weren't going to walk away from here afraid to take risks. They saw a glimpse and a hope and away they went.' It was the greatest preliminary final comeback in Super Netball history, beating the nine-goal market the Vixens set in 2022 against the Giants. It was a dismal end to the season for Swifts, despite the return of inspirational captain Paige Hadley who has missed the last two rounds with a foot injury. While she provided a calm head and safe pair of hands, the Swifts have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets, after looking untouchable as they went undefeated through the first eight rounds. Melbourne Vixens players celebrate. (Photo by) Simone McKinnis inspired her players. (Photo by) There was immense pressure from the opening whistle, causing fumbles, stray passes and uncharacteristic missed shots. The Swifts were first to take advantage of those errors, going long and high to Grace Nweke in the circle. Despite her athleticism, some balls were sprayed over her head or swatted away by goal keeper Rudi Ellis who finished with six gains, allowing the Vixens to shift gears and take a three point lead into the first break. The Swifts hit the front in the second quarter as their confidence grew, with Helen Housby raising the bar after a quiet few weeks. Passes started going in more smoothly to the circle, with Nweke lifting her shooting from a subpar 77 percent in the first quarter to a total of 53/58 at 91 percent across the match. With the Swifts' Sharni Lambden applying enormous pressure at wing defence, Vixens' skipper Moloney did everything she could to pull her side over the line. She had a strong connection with Sophie Garbin under the post, who picked up the slack while the hero of so many victories, Kiera Austin, struggled for influence early on. The Swifts couldn't believe it. (Photo by Mark) The Vixens seemed down and out of the contest with the deficit sitting at 11 points and their penalties twice their opponents, until Lily Graham sank consecutive supershots to bring the margin back to single digits. In an inspirational last quarter Austin finally switched on her radar when it counted, firing in three long range shots to finish with 12/16 including four from five supershots, while her partner Garbin had a solid 46/47. The Vixens found another gear and rolled over the Swifts in highly emotional scenes. MCKINNIS MAGIC Simone McKinnis will make her final appearance as Vixens' coach in next weekend's grand final, after 212 games in charge of the club. Across 13 years, she's taken them to two titles, three minor premierships and a further three grand final appearances, and will leave massive shoes to fill. It looked like it was going to be McKinnis' final game in charge at the end of the third quarter but an inspiration and emotional final address helped inspire the Vixens to life. 'We have nothing to lose here! Except for throwing our best selves as this contest,' McKinnis said. PAIN FOLLOWS A POINT Remarkably, the previous three Super Netball preliminary finals have been decided by a solitary point, with the Vixens taking out two of those wins, and the Swifts the other. Despite moving on into the grand final, neither side was then able to steal the ultimate victory. Originally published as Super Netball stunner as emotional speech sparks all-time Vixens comeback
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Super Netball preliminary final — NSW Swifts vs Melbourne Vixens live blog, stats and scores
The NSW Swifts host the Melbourne Vixens in a sudden-death encounter, with the winner to face the West Coast Fever in the season decider. Follow our live blog.
ABC News
7 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
The Netball World Cup will be a biennial event from 2027, so who benefits? And who may be disadvantaged?
Netball's governing body has unveiled a new global events strategy that will see the World Cup held every two years instead of four, as well as significant format and schedule changes to the major tournament. An extra piece of silverware will be introduced for Sydney 2027 that'll give teams finishing lower in the group stages a plate to fight for, while the top sides continue to compete for the cup. Qualification from 2029 onwards will operate very differently — in a move that has upset Asia — and there'll be a permanent shift on the calendar to November. A designated window later in the year should help to avoid clashes with other codes and less interruptions to the top-flight domestic leagues played in Australia, New Zealand and England. Beyond this, World Netball plans to run a separate biennial event and a men's World Cup. As a result, both the FAST5 World Series and Netball World Youth Cup will be paused indefinitely. It is also assessing the appetite for an international club competition. In a press release, the governing body said it believes these drastic steps are necessary to sustain the sport long-term, and that it was taking hold of its own destiny as uncertainty surrounds the future of the Commonwealth Games. But it's certainly rare for a sport to host its World Cup every two years, and this is the change that has sparked the most debate. Largely, World Netball. As part of the hosting agreement, either a percentage of profits or a fixed sum will be handed over to the governing body. Increasing this revenue would help World Netball to grow on a faster scale and spread its global footprint. It may also lead to further visibility and bigger sponsorship deals. ABC Sport understands previous agreements fixed the profit sharing with World Netball at 55 per cent. The worth of that is now estimated to be over $1 million. Cyrus Medora was the chief executive at Netball Singapore for two decades before retiring at the end of last year, and oversaw its hosting of the 2011 World Cup. "From a non-financial perspective, I think all participating countries would benefit from more regular and intense competition," Medora said. "Plus, the publicity and exposure could lead to increased financial support for the smaller netball countries from their sports ministries." Previously, some member organisations, like Netball Jamaica, have needed to crowdsource funding to afford to send their team to the major tournament. This is a team ranked in the top three, so there are genuine concerns about the financial strain an increase in World Cups might cause for poorer nations. According to Medora, the cost to send a team, coaches and support staff can typically amount to over $70,000 if you're staying at a lower-level hotel. Aussie Diamonds vice-captain Paige Hadley said the disparity could lead to countries opting in and out, "and not going to every World Cup". Do we want the showpiece event to only feature teams that can afford to be there? Since World Netball went public with its new events strategy, it has provided further details in a member update to explain its decision-making. Here, it dropped a bombshell about the qualification process. "In order to deliver the best netball event in the world for the best athletes in the world, the current qualification process will be changed," it read. "Regional qualifiers will no longer take place after 2027, and qualification will be based purely on world rankings." Previously, the top five ranked teams have qualified, as well as the host. Then two teams from each of the five regional qualifying tournaments held across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania fill the remainder of the 16 participating spots. This change could easily wipe Asia from the World Cup altogether. Its highest-ranked team is Sri Lanka at number 22, and several countries from the region are said to be extremely disappointed; questioning what advantage they get from being a World Netball member — which incurs a fee of about $2,500 annually — if they're ruled out of contention. Scottish Thistles head coach Kath Tetley originally hails from Australia and has held several high-profile administrative roles in the sport over her career. Tetley was the general manager of the Sydney 2015 World Cup and believes the change may not be a bad thing if it encourages each nation to step up and maintain its world ranking. "I actually think it challenges us to be good and be consistent more often, especially with a faster 24-month rotation of the cycle rather than 48 months to build towards success," she said. World Netball argues the revenue generated by biennial World Cups will help it better support regions and members. Though, how much of that revenue will flow onto the rest of the world is anyone's guess, and right now there are only a few obvious options for potential hosts. By the end of 2027, Australia will have hosted four times, New Zealand and England three times, Singapore and Jamaica twice, and Trinidad and Tobago, Scotland and South Africa once. Medora believes the cost of a World Cup really depends on the logistical expenses that differ between countries, and that smaller nations may only be able to host once every 20 years. "It is extremely costly to host the event and only a few countries will have the financial resources and technical know-how," Medora said. "For Singapore, I believe we would now need at least $6-7 million to host now … Back in 2011, it was about $4.8 million. "Countries would need substantial funding from their sport ministries and tourism boards, while sponsorships, ticket and merchandise sales are also vital. "Overall, we generated about $2.4 million at current rates in net revenue and were fortunate that the government waived the 22 per cent withholding tax when making payments to World Netball and the 15 other countries." Tetley said the onus would be on World Netball to offer additional support in the early stages of the transition. "I would expect ticketing, fan packages and commercial global interest will continue to flourish and thus enable World Netball to create a support structure for nations that qualify to request financial support … Perhaps grants for nations based on a method of application via the World Netball integrity unit," she said. England's Rose Helen Housby said she would, "rather go back to the same country and play on the world stage than not do it at all". "I loved going to Cape Town and for us to push the boundaries more often, but being realistic, I don't mind where they're played as long as we get to play." Beyond the players' perspective, is there enough buy-in from fans? Would they be happy visiting the same countries repeatedly? The majority of top-paying spectators come from the trans-Tasman region. "In 2011, we had over 5,000 overseas spectators and 4,400 came via appointed travel agents in Australia and New Zealand," Medora said. "Hopefully, with the event held every two years, these fans will continue to travel." There's a lot to digest and because of that, the reaction has been mixed. Most seem to be thrilled about the introduction of a men's World Cup, and there's widespread sentiment that the plate and cup divisions in the women's major tournament is a step in the right direction. But when it comes to an increase in frequency of World Cups and the new qualification process, it depends on who you ask. Especially seeing as most member organisations claim there was little to no consultation from World Netball before such drastic decisions were made.
