Netball New Zealand Moves Toward Private-Investment League for 2027

Netball New Zealand (NNZ) announced a non-binding term sheet with investors Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray that secures a minimum of five elite domestic teams for the 2027 season. The investors will also hold broadcast rights, with NNZ providing facilitation support to the zones and existing franchise committees.

The New Zealand Herald

Over the past three years, uncertainty around the domestic league has led roughly 18 top players to sign overseas contracts—13 with Australia’s Super Netball and five with the United Kingdom’s Netball Super League. NNZ cited the inability to guarantee a stable competition as the primary driver of these moves. Despite the talent drain, the sport retains a strong grassroots base of more than 150,000 members and recent Commonwealth Games success for the Silver Ferns.

The New Zealand Herald

She added that the move is not a short-term fix but a “long-term commitment to the sport.” Players’ Association general manager Pippa Moore called the step “bold but necessary,” noting it offers a credible pathway for players to build careers at home and for the next generation to aspire to elite play. Regional bodies—Netball South, Netball Central and Netball Northern—issued a joint statement expressing optimism that passionate owners will help grow the league.

The New Zealand Herald

• “We weren’t going to be rushed into making the decision because a decision like this is going to have generational impacts,” — Jennah Wootten, new zealand chief

Netball New Zealand: Jennah Wootten rejects ‘too late’ fears as new era takes shape

• “We are pleased to announce that significant progress has been made towards securing the future of New Zealand’s elite domestic netball competition,” — Jennah Wootten, new zealand chief

The New Zealand Herald

• “I know how critical sport was to me as a young Kiwi girl growing up in New Zealand and it really was so formative to the woman that I’ve become today ... for me, it was about making sure that I played my part in ensuring that we can continue to develop those pathways, have that potential there for our young girls and make sure that they’ve got the inspiration.” — Anna Mowbray

The New Zealand Herald