Netball NZ backs deal with Anna Mowbray, Ali Williams to save domestic competition
Netball New Zealand has signed a non-binding agreement to privatize its elite domestic competition starting in 2027. The bid, led by Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams, aims to overhaul the league's funding and structure while maintaining a governance role for the national body.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in sports administration, moving from a traditional national body model to a private franchise system to ensure financial sustainability.
Netball New Zealand has finally put a stake in the ground on the future of the elite domestic competition, choosing private investment as the way forward from 2027.
As first reported by RNZ, the national body confirmed on Tuesday is formally backing a bid by Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams to establish a private franchise league, signing a non-binding term sheet with the high-profile couple.
The term sheet sets out an intention to privatise the competition from 2027, in what would be a significant overhaul of how the elite domestic game is funded and organised.
Under the proposed model, the private investment group would hold the licence for the competition and its teams, while Netball NZ would retain a governance role on the board established to oversee the new league.
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