Netball New Zealand has pulled the plug on a private franchise proposal led by Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams, leaving elite players facing profound uncertainty just eight weeks after a term sheet was signed.
Agreement Collapses Over Shifted Terms
The national body sent an email on October 29 to investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams. It declared that an agreement to license the privatisation of the elite domestic competition could not be reached, as reported by NZ Herald.
The sudden collapse stunned the netball community. Netball New Zealand had previously backed the bid on September 1st, as noted by Newstalk ZB.
Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennah Wootten explained to RNZ that negotiations stalled because discussions drifted away from the original agreed terms. The governing body faces an anticipated loss of $6m this year. It has already spent $3.7 million to pay Sky in order to secure national television broadcast coverage.
🚨 ANTZ OFFICIAL | EVEN PRIVATE MONEY CAN’T SAVE A SPORT 🚨 WHO REALLY HELD THE POWER, AND WHO WASN’T PREPARED TO GIVE IT UP? Netball New Zealand’s proposed new competition has reportedly collapsed, leaving private investors frustrated, players devastated and serious questions…
A number of the things that I talked about when the term sheet was signed in regards to features of the likely future arrangement had shifted. Some of those shifts were okay and some of those shifts the Netball New Zealand board felt comfortable with, but others the board did not feel comfortable with.
Jennah Wootten, Netball NZ CEO
Ali Williams expressed bewilderment over the decision. He told RNZ that a week before the email they still had confirmation that Netball New Zealand really wanted to make it work.
The investors stated they were devastated by the abrupt end to the discussions. They noted they received no prior explanation before receiving the email from the board.
Players Blindsided by Media Leak
Jennah Wooten issued an apology to the playing group during an online meeting on Monday night. She acknowledged the distress caused by the communication breakdown, as reported by RNZ.
Our intention was always to speak with players before any public announcement, and to do so with as much clarity as possible about the pathway forward,
Jennah Wootten, Netball New Zealand chief executive
Former Silver Fern Maia Wilson attended the online meeting and told RNZ that she left feeling more confused and unsure. She noted that questions regarding whether the upcoming competition might be amateur could not be answered.
Wilson holds 52 Test caps and has played more than 150 National League games. She expressed concern that she does not yet have a contract for 2027 and wonders if she will need to secure a full-time job.
She also highlighted that three members of the Silver Ferns team who won the Constellation Cup against Australia turned down overseas opportunities for 2027 specifically to participate in the domestic competition in New Zealand.
Rebel League Dismissed as Alternative Plan Emerges
Williams further emphasized that forming a rogue private league would not ultimately benefit the netball ecosystem, the players, or the Silver Ferns in the long term. He admitted that deploying their original plans would have been fun.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association is pushing for mediated discussions between the players, the investors, and Netball New Zealand.
Magic liaison manager Gary Dawson and Central Pulse chief executive Ann Hay had previously noted that the proposed financial model would present feasibility and structural challenges for individual clubs to enter teams.
Jennah Wooten confirmed in a statement reported by Yahoo News Australia that There is an advanced plan under development for an elite domestic netball competition in 2027.
