Netball NZ faces player exodus amid domestic league uncertainty
Netball New Zealand is facing a significant talent drain as elite players head to Australian and UK leagues due to domestic uncertainty. The lack of a broadcast deal for the ANZ Premiership has left the future of the competition in doubt, prompting many top athletes to secure offshore contracts.
Why it matters
The exodus threatens the viability and competitiveness of New Zealand's domestic sports infrastructure.
<p>While administrators grapple with decisions over the future of New Zealand's domestic netball competition, the country's leading players are headed for the exits.</p> <p><b>By Dana Johannsen of </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/1020785/netball-nz-faces-player-exodus-amid-domestic-league-uncertainty" target="_blank"><b>RNZ</b></a></p> <p>This week will provide the clearest picture yet of the scale of the talent drain facing Netball New Zealand, as the contracting window for the Australian league opens on Monday.</p> <p>According to netball officials, upwards of 15 players are expected to head offshore for the 2027 season - the vast majority bound for Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition, while three are understood to have secured contracts in the United Kingdom.</p> <p>The exodus comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of the ANZ Premiership.
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