“I’m not able to talk about that because it is part of the confidential process that we’re working through with the Players Association and the zones.
Netball NZ CEO Jennah Wootten refused to confirm a professional alternative to Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray’s 2027 proposal. Photos / Photosport, 818
“We know we need to land something that is attractive in ’27, attractive to players, attractive to fans, attractive to commercial partners, but we also want to be thinking beyond ’27 as well.
“I don’t think this is a decision that anyone could be making based on feel. It’s got to be based on data; it’s got to be based on insights.”
Wootten refused to confirm how long the governing body has had the Mowbray-Williams 2027 bid.
Wootten said NNZ understands fast decision-making is critical.
“It weighs really heavily on us the impact that this is having on players in particular. This is their livelihoods. This is impacting them, it’s impacting their families, and we need to get to a decision as soon as we can.”
NNZ has a board meeting scheduled for late August, but Wootten refused to confirm whether it aims to make a decision by then.
The board meets every two months, but Wootten said it can convene a special meeting whenever it wants to finalise a plan.
The chief executive claims that its key stakeholders, including the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association (NZNPA) and netball zones, are aware of the alternatives to Williams and Mowbray’s bid.
“In terms of the options that are being considered, as part of the confidential process, the Players Association and the zones are involved.”
ANZ Premiership players are in limbo as they await confirmation of their jobs. Photos / Photosport
Wootten said NNZ is in contact with the zones and NZNPA multiple times a week via text, email, phone calls and meetings.
Wootten said she has been getting to know the stakeholders over the past two weeks.
“It’s important that Netball New Zealand, the zones, the Players Association and the centres more broadly are working really closely together on the whole netball ecosystem. So it’s an absolute priority for me to ensure that those relationships are strong and effective as we continue to move forward.”
The ANZ Premiership recorded a $3.7 million loss this year, with NNZ board chairman Alastair Carruthers admitting the figure will balloon to approximately $6m by the end of November.
TVNZ broadcast the competition on a one-year, free-to-air deal this year, following a hybrid deal with Sky last year.
Wootten said it is not talking to broadcasters at this stage.
“It’s important that we have a clear shape on what the domestic competition is in order to advance those discussions.”
Wootten is adamant she has strong relationships with Sky CEO Sophie Maloney and TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell.
“I have been in touch with Sophie since being announced into the role, and I’m really looking forward to sitting down with her in person.
“In a world that is as small as New Zealand, it’s incredibly important for a national sporting organisation like Netball New Zealand to have strong and productive relationships with all broadcasters.”
Sky CEO Sophie Maloney (left) and TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell. Photos / NZ Herald
The situation leaves Silver Ferns and other ANZ Premiership players in limbo while they wait for their futures to be confirmed. The Herald last week revealed Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning Ferns are in talks with UK Super League clubs.
Manchester Thunder coach Karen Greig said they had been inundated with contract requests from New Zealand players and agents. However, Super League teams are limited to just two imports, who must play in different areas of the court.
NNZ has changed test eligibility rules to allow overseas-based players to be available for Silver Ferns selection.
Last month, Carruthers encouraged athletes to take opportunities to play netball abroad.
“Absolutely, we understand and respect why a number will be looking at opportunities abroad,” Wootten said. “My focus is on making sure that what we do land on in terms of the form of our domestic competition in the future is attractive enough to compel many of those players to stay or indeed to return in the years to come.”
Last month, the Herald revealed the TVNZ broadcast attracted more than 1.05 million unique television viewers and an average audience of 51,800, not including anyone who watched on TVNZ+, either live or on demand.
Wootten said it is delighted with the increase in viewership and sellout crowds, but they need to modernise the product.
“We need to be appealing to more eyeballs. We need to be appealing to a younger audience. And there’s a lot of thinking and work underway to look at how we can do just that.”
Wootten confirmed there will not be a Taini Jamison series this year, but the governing body is organising a New Zealand Netball Series in November. In the past, a Kiwi series has involved the New Zealand men’s team, a New Zealand A team and an Under-21 side.
The NZNPA has been approached 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.