Domestic Competition – Private Investment Announcement - FAQ
What has Netball New Zealand announced?
Significant progress has been made towards securing the future of New Zealand's elite domestic netball competition.
Netball New Zealand has signed a non-binding term sheet with investors Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray to work toward the privatisation of the domestic competition from 2027. Work now begins on developing and signing a long-form agreement in the near future.
What does that mean?
It means we have a clear direction for the future of elite domestic netball in this country, one that Netball New Zealand, the Zones and the Players' Association all feel positive about.
It will see a competition run by the investors from 2027 onwards. This will ensure players have a meaningful professional competition and career pathway, that there are roles for coaches and support staff, that fans and our community will have teams to support, and that young people around the country will have athletes to look up to.
What is a non-binding term sheet?
A term sheet sets out the terms both parties have agreed to work towards. A long-form agreement (the full legal contract) follows it.
There is still work to do but both parties are committed to developing and signing the long-form agreement.
What does this mean for community netball and the Silver Ferns?
Netball New Zealand remains the national governing body for netball in New Zealand. We continue to be responsible for the Silver Ferns, national selection, the elite player pathway and community netball.
Our role as kaitiaki and guardians of this sport is unchanged, and we look forward to working with our new partners to further grow the game.
Were other options considered?
Yes. The future of the domestic competition has been a huge focus for the Netball New Zealand Board. After a great deal of careful consideration, including exploring every option available to us, the Board reached the view that private investment is the right path forward.
That work followed a thorough review of both the competition's financial position and Netball New Zealand's own.
Who was consulted?
This decision was made in consultation with the New Zealand Netball Players' Association and the three Zones that own teams, NNZ has also been working closely with the teams that we own.
Who will run the competition?
The agreement would see the licence for the competition and its teams held by the investors, Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray.
Why Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray?
They are passionate about sport, and passionate about the broader outcomes that sport delivers for women and girls in New Zealand. That alignment is extremely important to the Board.
This is a partnership with people who understand what this competition means to New Zealand. They bring commercial capability and investment that Netball New Zealand does not have on its own, and a commitment to growing the competition, its audiences and its profile.
We are excited that they have chosen to back netball.
Was the Players' Association involved?
Yes. The NZNPA has been part of this process throughout and is standing alongside Netball New Zealand today. We have also been in discussions with the Zones.
What about players who have already signed overseas?
We know a number of players have made commitments overseas because we could not give them certainty any earlier. We understand entirely why they made those decisions.
The job now is to build a competition they want to come back to, and one that is compelling for the players here in New Zealand.
Can players based overseas still be selected for the Silver Ferns?
Yes. Silver Ferns selection remains open to players based overseas, and selection remains Netball New Zealand's responsibility.
Will my team still be part of the competition?
The teams and the Zones have been central to this competition and its community, and they have been part of this process. Details will be worked through with the Zones, the teams and the investors over the coming months.
When does the 2027 season start?
Season dates will be confirmed by the investors.
Does this affect my club or my centre?
No. Community netball is completely unchanged. Every centre, every club, every Saturday morning continues exactly as it is.
Netball remains the most played sport for women and girls in New Zealand, with around 150,000 registered members. Protecting the resources that support the game is one of the central reasons this decision has been made.
Where will I be able to watch the competition in 2027?
Broadcast arrangements for the domestic competition from 2027 sit with the investors.
Netball New Zealand will help facilitate those commercial discussions, and we will do so collaboratively. We have long-standing relationships with New Zealand's broadcasters and we want the competition to land in the best possible home.