Netball NZ pulls the pin on proposed Mowbray-Williams private league
Netball New Zealand has abruptly canceled plans for a privately funded domestic league after failing to reach an agreement with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams. The decision has left the future of the 2027 professional competition uncertain.
Why it matters
The collapse of this deal creates significant instability for the future of elite netball and professional pathways for athletes in New Zealand.
Netball New Zealand has pulled the pin on plans for a privately run domestic league , just eight weeks after signing a term sheet with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams.
It is understood the decision to abandon the proposal was made at a Netball NZ board meeting on Wednesday, throwing the future of next year's domestic competition up in the air once more.
In a statement issued to RNZ on Friday morning, Netball NZ confirmed it had ended negotiations with the high-profile couple, saying an agreement to privatise the elite domestic competition could not be reached despite "considerable efforts by both parties".
"Our communications with each other are confidential," the statement said.
Netball NZ acknowledged the news would be unsettling, particularly for players and support staff, and said it would provide further information as soon as it could.
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