“It is really disappointing that this is where we’re at, and the uncertainty is really scary. These are people’s lives and careers we’re working with here.
“Being patient and knowing there are some really good people doing a lot of work behind the scenes is really important. But yeah, it is scary. It is very scary.
Martina Salmon, Amelia Walmsley, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Catherine Hall will represent the Silver Ferns at the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Getty Images
“We don’t have much idea of what’s going on next season.”
Fifty-two test Wilson, who missed out on Dame Noeline Taurua’s squad, is fresh off her maiden ANZ Premiership title with the Mystics.
Speaking ahead of the final, the veteran shooter said she has no idea what the plan is for next year.
“No news at all – which is really unsettling and can be quite frustrating for people.
“It is very concerning and quite disappointing for the pathway and the future, not just of the Silver Ferns and the ANZ Premiership, but actually for grassroots netball as a whole.”
Fellow Silver Fern Mila Reuelu-Buchanan asked her teammates to speak out about the uncertainty at the Stars’ end-of-season awards.
“It is an incredibly uncertain time for our sport.
“It’s hard to believe that in 2026 – with netball still being the most played sport by females in New Zealand, and after proving its value to communities across the country time and time again – we still don’t know what the future looks like.
“The one thing I’d ask of you all is, remember: our voice is our strength.
“Use it. Advocate for our sport. Honour those who have paved the way before us and helped create opportunities for the generations to come.
“Netball may not be where we want it to be right now, but together we have the power to shape where it goes next.”
Winikerei admitted to Newstalk ZB she is genuinely worried for the people involved in netball
“The fact that we’re in this position is a disaster, really. We should be able to position ourselves so we’re a viable and attractive option.
“The sport’s amazing, like when people come and watch it for the first time, they keep coming back. We probably need bigger stadiums because the stadiums have been packed out the last couple of years.”
After the Mystics’ grand final victory over the Steel, skipper Michaela Sokolich-Beatson got emotional at the state of the competition.
“As players and management, we have dedicated our lives to this sport. It makes me sad because you all know the state of netball at the moment. We really want to keep playing.”
Maia Wilson and Tia Winikerei’s Mystics celebrate winning the 2026 ANZ Premiership title. Photo: / Photosport
Salmon recently admitted to the Herald the uncertainty is annoying, but hopes they will find out soon.
“I like to know what the future’s going to look like so I can plan my life out. It’s hard not knowing what next year’s looking like.
“It’s New Zealand’s No 1 women’s sport, but it doesn’t feel like that sometimes.”
The New Zealand Netball Players Association (NZNPA) met with NNZ on Friday last week to discuss the situation, with collective bargaining to begin on Thursday.
NZNPA general manager Pippa Moore said the continued lack of clarity is taking its toll.
“We understand it is really frustrating for the players and the coaches, because this has been three years of uncertainty, and frustration is coming through. We’re frustrated and empathise with the players.
Moore could not divulge any information from the meeting, but admitted irritation the NZNPA was not included in the conversation sooner.
“Could it have happened earlier? Yep.
“We’re not always going to agree, obviously. We have different perspectives on things, but getting in the same room and meeting with NNZ was positive.”
Last year, NNZ changed Silver Ferns eligibility rules so that top players could receive exemptions to play overseas but remain available for test selection.
It saw Karin Burger, Kelly Jackson, Kate Heffernan, Grace Nweke, Maddy Gordon, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson and Whitney Souness all leave the ANZ Premiership to join Super Netball.
Wilson still believes the New Zealand competition as a product is solid, but the now-departed Silver Ferns have left a noticeable hole.
“The pay cut had a massive impact on why people have gone, and for the first time, I have had to work in my career, and it has been a busy juggle sometimes.
“I’m leaving home at 4am to do breakfast radio, then come straight to training and be here for six hours.”
Winikerei said netball could have a personnel issue in the near future, particularly with looming retirements after next year’s World Cup.
“We could lose a whole group of players.
“If we were to lose a group because there was no competition, plus retirements, plus some going to Australia, I wonder what we would have left to build from.
“You need a viable, elite competition that young people aspire to. Without that, what do they look to?
Rob Wright (left) labelled the ANZ Premiership’s uncertain future a “disgrace”, while Tia Winikerei (centre) called it a “disaster”. Photo / Photosport
“The other side of it is the staff infrastructure. We’ve spent years building the expertise at Mystics, and I 100% know we’ll lose really good people.
“They have to go somewhere, and when there’s nothing on offer for them, they’ll turn their expertise elsewhere.”
Wilson said last year’s uncertainty felt especially scary, having exited the ANZ Premiership early with the Stars.
“That’s really scary. I’m surprised we’re still in this position. As a player, you don’t want that uncertainty, and not only for our current future, but the future of netball in five to 10 years.
“If they don’t know what’s going on now, how do we know what the state of the game’s going to be like then?”
Australia’s Super Netball sides are scheduled to begin assembling next year’s rosters after Saturday’s grand final.
The signing window for the United Kingdom’s Super League – which attracted former Silver Fern Tiana Metuarau last year – opened on June 22 and ends August 31.
Walsmley said she is open to going overseas, but loves playing at home.
“I don’t want people to leave New Zealand. It’s definitely something I’d want to do at some point in my career if that’s what I have to do to continue to grow my netball.
“But ideally, I would like to stay in New Zealand.”
Wilson said the overseas leagues do provide potential options.
“How long do you wait to see if there’s something here in New Zealand that is at the moment not guaranteed because we have nothing?
“Do you go to the UK? Do you go to Australia? It’s an age and stage kind of thing and where you’re at in your career, but it is very unsettling.”
NNZ was approached by the Herald for comment, but referred to last week’s statement in response to criticism from Mystics assistant coach Rob Wright, who labelled the situation “a disgrace”.
“Resolving the future of our domestic competition is a major focus for Netball New Zealand and its recently refreshed board,” said NNZ.
“A decision on the future of the current ANZ Premiership competition hasn’t been made, but the board is meeting multiple times this month to continue working through the options.
“We acknowledge this period is difficult for our athletes, coaches, umpires, and teams, who naturally are looking for certainty regarding their near futures. That is front of mind as we work through this process, and we will provide clarity as soon as we can.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.