Sports
Netball New Zealand Cancels Plans for Privately Run Domestic League
The collapse of the proposed partnership leaves the future of the elite competition uncertain as top players continue to sign contracts with overseas clubs.
By Headlinne · Compiled from reporting by NZ Herald, 1News and RNZ
Netball New Zealand has abandoned plans to establish a privately run domestic league, ending an eight-week negotiation period with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams that aimed to secure the sport's future.
The national governing body confirmed the decision on Friday, stating that its board concluded an agreement regarding the privatisation of the elite competition could not be reached despite extensive efforts.
The proposed league was intended to replace the current ANZ Premiership, which has faced significant financial strain, including losses of up to $6 million for the most recent financial year.
The failure of the deal leaves the domestic game in a state of flux, with many top players already opting to sign contracts with teams in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Mowbray and Williams expressed their frustration with the sudden termination of the project, which they said was communicated to them through a brief email.
"We are devastated. Ali and I gave this everything. Our time, our money and our hearts," said Mowbray and Williams in a joint statement.
The investors added that they received no phone call or specific explanation for the board's decision to walk away from the partnership.
Pippa Moore, the head of the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association, said the organization was not directly informed of the decision by the national body.
"We've been completely blindsided to be honest. We're absolutely devastated," said Moore.
Moore noted that her association has observed an increase in players seeking mental health and financial support as they face continued uncertainty regarding their professional pathways.
Netball New Zealand previously stated that the term sheet signed last month was intended to lead to a five-team competition by 2027, with broadcast and commercial arrangements handled by the investors.
The governing body has not yet announced an alternative plan for the 2027 season, leaving the structure of the domestic competition unresolved.
Reporting from
- NZ HeraldBalanced
Netball NZ pulls the pin on proposed Mowbray
- 1News
Mowbray-Williams 'devastated' as Netball NZ blow whistle on league
- RNZNot politically framed
Netball NZ pulls the pin on proposed Mowbray-Williams private league
How this article was made: Headlinne wrote it with AI from the 3 reports listed above. Direct quotes are checked word for word against those reports, every number appears in at least one of them, and no other sentence is copied from one. Photos are from those reports and credited to them. Each report’s page on Headlinne links to the outlet’s original.