Latest news with #NetballNZ
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Silver Ferns: Kelly Jackson rejected Australian offers, stays loyal to New Zealand and Central Pulse
'I would love to go to Australia but I love playing for the Silver Ferns more, which has meant me staying back in New Zealand. 'I also have so much heart with the Pulse. I have a lot invested with the Pulse that I would really love to win another ANZ Premiership with them.' Jackson has joined Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio in suggesting the rules should be adjusted, with top shooter Grace Nweke currently ineligible due to being based over the Tasman with the New South Wales Swifts. When asked if the criteria should change, the 1.92m goal keep said: 'I think it would be a good opportunity.' Jackson said there will likely be a point she decides to sacrifice the Silver Ferns dress for a taste of Super Netball, but next year's Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Cup will keep her in New Zealand for now. 'It will all be determined by whether they do open up Silver Ferns eligibility to be able to play both. But at this stage, I'll be staying where I can play for the Silver Ferns.' There has been a great deal of player confusion over what the criteria actually are to play overseas and remain eligible for New Zealand. Discover more Silver Ferns Player confusion over Silver Ferns eligibility 07 May 01:24 AM Netball Netball NZ plan ANZ Premiership - but no broadcast deal yet 05 May 08:00 PM Silver Ferns 25 Apr 02:05 AM Ekenasio told Newstalk ZB on Monday that players must have 100 test caps to be eligible for an exemption to play offshore and still play in international fixtures. Last month, Nweke confirmed the same to Fox Sports News, saying it was Netball NZ's 'black-and-white' rule. However, the national body has clarified that no such 100-test rule exists and that each case was entirely at the board's discretion. Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie last month said the board continue to discuss their stance on eligibility – adding that she was encouraging them to continue to show flexibility. The ANZ Premiership starts on Saturday, with Jackson's Pulse up against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Palmerston North.
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Netball: Former rival wants NZ teams in Australian comp
Former Australia netball coach Lisa Alexander. Photo: Photosport The former Diamonds coach says New Zealand needs to get teams into the Australian netball league as soon as possible. Lisa Alexander, who coached the Australian Diamonds from 2011 to 2020, wants New Zealand involved in the the Suncorp Super Netball competition (SSN) - the most competitive league in the world. It also has an unlimited imports policy so attracts some of the best players around the globe from countries like England and Jamaica. Alexander 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, which gets underway this weekend, replaced the former trans-Tasman Championship, which ended in 2016 when New Zealand and Australia went separate ways. Both countries had five teams each in that league but the landscape has changed a lot since then. The Magic v Swifts in the old trans-Tasman competition. Photo: Photosport Alexander said two teams would be the most New Zealand could expect, if the SSN was expanded from its current eight team competition. RNZ understands that Netball NZ is looking at securing franchise licences in the SSN, but 2027 would be the earliest opportunity with the broadcast deal for that competition in place until the end of next year. Netball NZ is in the process of negotiating a broadcast deal, with its current agreement with Sky TV expiring at the end of this year. Netball Australia recently reported another surplus in its Annual Report, driven they said by record crowds and broadcast audiences across the 2024 SSN. The national body said it would be looking to make new investments with a view to 'turbo charging' the SSN for the long term. Australian netball commentator Sue Gaudion believes nothing is off the table when it comes to expansion. "Whilst not privy to apparent conversations, I do think Netball Australia are focused on what decisions moving forward make the most sense commercially as well as financially ensuring sustainability of the next iteration of the League," Gaudion said. "I think that increasing opportunities for Aussie athletes will be part of the decision-making process, but that doesn't necessarily prevent a New Zealand (or more) franchise from being considered. They are or can be potentially two different decisions." Former Silver Fern Laura Langman and NZ coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Photo: Photosport More eyeballs from New Zealand fans might appeal to Netball Australia but Gaudion, who is also general manager of the Fever franchise, said expansion would have to bring commercial and financial confidence to the league. "And Netball Australia are doing the work to understand more specifically what that means. What is a license worth to play in the 'world's best netball league'? Personally, I think it's a lot more than its current value, and possibly of even greater value for non-Australian based franchises." Alexander coached the Diamonds when former Silver Fern Laura Langman was barred from playing for New Zealand because she played in Australia. Langman was brought out of exile when Dame Noeline Taurua answered the SOS in 2018 to coach the Silver Ferns. Dame Noeline also coached in the SSN for three years at the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Netball New Zealand's current eligibility policy means star shooter Grace Nweke has had to give up her place in the Ferns this year, because she is playing in the Australian competition. "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 also 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." When Australian Diamonds sides used to tour New Zealand, they would be jealous of the level of media coverage the Silver Ferns got. Broadcast rights play a huge part of underpinning a professional sports league. Photo: Aaron Gillions But Alexander has noticed a shift. "There was so much more coverage in New Zealand [back then] and I think you've taken it for granted to be quite honest because it's really hard to get it back. "In Australia we are fighting very very hard to have our slice of the media pie and it's still very tough but our Australian netball quality, the programme is so good that it will bust through. "It's still tough here but I'm now a columnist, I write about netball ... I wouldn't have dreamed of that 10 years ago. "I didn't even know that your ANZ Premiership was about to start so that is a bit of an issue. I get more information about the Netball Super League in England, than I am about New Zealand at the moment." Alexander said netball was facing much more competition from other women's sports like rugby union, league, soccer, 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 [the SSN] 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." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Netball: Former nemesis wants NZ teams in Australian comp
Former Australia netball coach Lisa Alexander. Photo: Photosport The former Diamonds coach says New Zealand needs to get teams into the Australian netball league as soon as possible. Lisa Alexander, who coached the Australian Diamonds from 2011 to 2020, wants New Zealand involved in the the Suncorp Super Netball competition (SSN) - the most competitive league in the world. It also has an unlimited imports policy so attracts some of the best players around the globe from countries like England and Jamaica. Alexander 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, which gets underway this weekend, replaced the former trans-Tasman Championship, which ended in 2016 when New Zealand and Australia went separate ways. Both countries had five teams each in that league but the landscape has changed a lot since then. The Magic v Swifts in the old trans-Tasman competition. Photo: Photosport Alexander said two teams would be the most New Zealand could expect, if the SSN was expanded from its current eight team competition. RNZ understands that Netball NZ is looking at securing franchise licences in the SSN, but 2027 would be the earliest opportunity with the broadcast deal for that competition in place until the end of next year. Netball NZ is in the process of negotiating a broadcast deal, with its current agreement with Sky TV expiring at the end of this year. Netball Australia recently reported another surplus in its Annual Report, driven they said by record crowds and broadcast audiences across the 2024 SSN. The national body said it would be looking to make new investments with a view to 'turbo charging' the SSN for the long term. Australian netball commentator Sue Gaudion believes nothing is off the table when it comes to expansion. "Whilst not privy to apparent conversations, I do think Netball Australia are focused on what decisions moving forward make the most sense commercially as well as financially ensuring sustainability of the next iteration of the League," Gaudion said. "I think that increasing opportunities for Aussie athletes will be part of the decision-making process, but that doesn't necessarily prevent a New Zealand (or more) franchise from being considered. They are or can be potentially two different decisions." Former Silver Fern Laura Langman and NZ coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Photo: Photosport More eyeballs from New Zealand fans might appeal to Netball Australia but Gaudion, who is also general manager of the Fever franchise, said expansion would have to bring commercial and financial confidence to the league. "And Netball Australia are doing the work to understand more specifically what that means. What is a license worth to play in the 'world's best netball league'? Personally, I think it's a lot more than its current value, and possibly of even greater value for non-Australian based franchises." Alexander coached the Diamonds when former Silver Fern Laura Langman was barred from playing for New Zealand because she played in Australia. Langman was brought out of exile when Dame Noeline Taurua answered the SOS in 2018 to coach the Silver Ferns. Dame Noeline also coached in the SSN for three years at the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Netball New Zealand's current eligibility policy means star shooter Grace Nweke has had to give up her place in the Ferns this year, because she is playing in the Australian competition. "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 also 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." When Australian Diamonds sides used to tour New Zealand, they would be jealous of the level of media coverage the Silver Ferns got. Broadcast rights play a huge part of underpinning a professional sports league. Photo: Aaron Gillions But Alexander has noticed a shift. "There was so much more coverage in New Zealand [back then] and I think you've taken it for granted to be quite honest because it's really hard to get it back. "In Australia we are fighting very very hard to have our slice of the media pie and it's still very tough but our Australian netball quality, the programme is so good that it will bust through. "It's still tough here but I'm now a columnist, I write about netball ... I wouldn't have dreamed of that 10 years ago. "I didn't even know that your ANZ Premiership was about to start so that is a bit of an issue. I get more information about the Netball Super League in England, than I am about New Zealand at the moment." Alexander said netball was facing much more competition from other women's sports like rugby union, league, soccer, 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 [the SSN] 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." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Northland netball injuries cost ACC $1.8m - Silver Ferns coach backs injury prevention
It's an important year for the Silver Ferns as they look to consolidate on their Constellation Cup victory in 2024 and prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2027 Netball World Cup. 'The thing that I was most pleased about [in the win over Australia] was our ability just to mentally be in tune with each other,' the 56-year-old coach said. 'So that is our focus for this year. We need to consolidate on those performances and hit those standards again. We need to keep building.' That same philosophy applies to player welfare. Taurua (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is educating netball coaches and players across New Zealand about the changes to the NetballSmart dynamic warm-up. 'It is important work because our Silver Ferns come from the grassroots of our game,' she said. 'That is our pathway from local level coming right through to high performance to the Silver Ferns. We need to ensure our coaches have the resources to protect our players for the long term.' In New Zealand, there were 373 ACL-related netball injuries in 2024, and 335 of those were female. 'We know that an ACL is a debilitating injury that can take a player up to 12 months to recover from,' Taurua said. 'That has a huge impact on the person's career and their life.' ACC has partnered with Netball NZ since 1997 to deliver NetballSmart. It is the only injury prevention programme to focus solely on improving outcomes for females. The Ferns' lead physiotherapist, Sharon Kearney, has driven the revision of the programme. 'NetballSmart is brilliant. We are so fortunate to have Sharon, and her team involved,' Taurua said. 'And for athletes and coaches to have these resources available is great. We have reviewed the programme and listened to the feedback of our community to improve it. We are lucky to have our partnership with ACC who have played a massive role in minimising injuries in our game.' Netball NZ is supporting coaches with a range of resources like videos on the warmup. Taurua, who played 34 tests for the Silver Ferns, has simple advice for coaches and players on how to approach their netball. 'For players it is all about enjoyment. You need to look after your body and know that your body is the tool and the more you invest in it, the more you are investing your longevity in the game. 'For coaches, understand clearly why you're doing it. It is easy to overthink it, but the best coaching is when you pull it back to the core fundamentals and keep it simple. ''
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Netballers in South urged to focus on injury prevention
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has taken time out from the national team to share information with Otago and Southland netballers about how they can avoid injuring themselves on court. In 2024, more than 1670 players in Otago and Southland had netball-related injury claims accepted by the Accident Compensation Corporation, costing the taxpayer $4.3million to help them recover. So Dame Noeline has partnered with ACC and Netball NZ, to remind players and coaches about NetballSmart — an evidence-based framework, made up of six principles which aim to prevent injuries. Silver Ferns lead physiotherapist Sharon Kearney recently drove a revision of the warm-up part of the programme, which focused more on the landing and deceleration components of the game. And now Netball NZ is supporting coaches with a range of resources like videos on the warm-up. Dame Noeline said it was the only injury-prevention programme to focus solely on improving outcomes for women. "It is important work because our Silver Ferns come from the grassroots of our game. "That is our pathway from local level, coming right through to high performance, to the Silver Ferns. "We need to ensure our coaches have the resources to protect our players for the long term," she said. Nationwide, ACC last year accepted 23,796 netball-related injuries which cost $48m to help people recover. Netball-related injuries have been increasing and 2024 was the highest number of injuries and cost for the past five years. Among those injuries, 373 were anterior cruciate ligament-related injuries. "We know that an ACL is a debilitating injury that can take a player up to 12 months to recover from," Dame Noeline said. "That has a huge impact on the person's career and their life." ACC's 2024 data showed 10-14 year-olds (6306 claims) dominated the number of netball-related injuries, followed by 15-19 year-olds (4513). Dame Noeline stressed the importance of "bedding in" the NetballSmart habits early. "We want our young netball players to come into the system and for the NetballSmart warm-up to be second nature — it should be automatic. "But the programme and these changes will only be effective if our community engages with it." She said research showed that completing the dynamic warm-up reduced the chance of injury by up to 50%. "For players, it is all about enjoyment. "You need to look after your body and know that your body is the tool, and the more you invest in it, the more you are investing in your longevity in the game."
