Patterson earlier said they were still working through what the competition would look like next year.
“At this stage, we remain in formal consultation and bargaining process with the New Zealand Netball Players Association (NZNPA), and until that process concludes, it would not be appropriate to reach or communicate any decisions. Please know this is not about withholding information; it is about ensuring the process is conducted properly, respectfully, and in line with obligations.”
The Stars, Magic and Tactix are all run by NNZ, and the staff – depending on their responsibilities – are contracted from the start of the ANZ Premiership through to July 31 every year.
However, Bennett told Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allan Drive that Patterson’s email was unusual because they would usually have future certainty by this point in the year.
“We’ve always worked season to season, but it is a tricky situation. Normally now I would be working on player contracting. That can’t happen when we don’t have that certainty for the competition next year.”
The player contracts are tied to collective bargaining between NNZ and the NZNPA. Players Association boss Pippa Moore confirmed to the Herald the process was underway.
De Bruin told Newstalk ZB’s Sportstalk with D’Arcy Waldegrave the uncertainty was rough on the athletes.
“If I was a player, I can only imagine that you’ll be panicking because that’s your livelihood and that’s what you love to do. Nobody wants to lose a job and have that uncertainty regardless of what you do for a living. Uncertain times will be really stressful.”
Stars assistant coach Leana de Bruin wants more communication from Netball NZ. Photo / Sideline Studios
De Bruin said the absence of communication from NNZ was the most disappointing thing.
“It’s the lack of information to everyone. But not really uncommon for us coaches, especially. I guess more for the players, this is a very unfamiliar territory.
“It is very worrying and uncomfortable to feel in limbo. It’s the worst place for anybody to be in, whether it’s the start of some people’s careers, and it’s really sad to see it going this way.
“Life is all about communication, and people just want them to communicate. If it’s like this, actually just pick up the phone and talk people through it.”
Bennett said she was the only full-time staff member at the Stars, so most already had other work to fall back on.
“The other roles are very specific to the contract and part-time, but there’s probably another six people that have decent contracts with us.
“A lot of them have a lot else going on and always have done. So it’s not completely abnormal for them to finish the contract, go back into their other work and then come back in when the season kicks off again.”
Bennett is keeping faith there will be an ANZ Premiership next year.
“I’m still extremely hopeful because of the strength of our game. People are watching, people are coming, people are playing. So I am hopeful that we can get to a solution, but I’m not unaware that it’s an extremely complex and challenging environment to get that solution as well.”
NNZ has emailed staff at the Stars, Magic and Tactix about their future.
Bennett is confident that if an ANZ Premiership gets confirmed for 2027, it will be akin to the current format.
“I think it won’t be too dissimilar because again, people are watching. We’ve got growth in viewership and attendance. There’s nothing wrong with our product. I guess it’s how do we make that commercially viable and who are the broadcast and partners that can help us do that?
“They do need to make some hard decisions about the costs they’re running in the meantime. So there is a level of pragmatism there. All the people we have are extremely dedicated and good at what they do. So if we can get them back in when we’re able to do so, hopefully that can happen.”
The Northern Mystics, Central Pulse and Southern Steel are run by their respective netball zones.
The news comes days out from the Silver Ferns’ opening Commonwealth Games fixture against hosts Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday.
NNZ has been contacted for comment.
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.