Source: Radio New Zealand
An NZ Super Netball franchise may have low appeal in Australia. AAP / www.photosport.nz
Netball Australia hopes to expand its Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league and is open to an expression of interest from Netball New Zealand.
While any league expansion is still subject to Netball Australia board approval, it has endorsed exploring opportunities for growth as early as 2027 and invited expressions of interest for two additional licences.
The process is open to private-ownership groups, existing SSN licence-holders, entities affiliated with other sporting codes and/or consortia, or hybrid ownership models.
Netball Australia has confirmed to RNZ that Netball New Zealand meets the criteria to submit an expression of interest for a new team-owner licence in the SSN League.
Chief executive Stacey West said the league had gained considerable momentum since its inaugural 2017 season.
Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia decided to set up their own domestic leagues to replace the former trans-Tasman competition, which ran from 2008-16.
The SSN adopted an unlimited import policy, as it aimed to become the best netball league in the world. It attracts many of the sport’s best netballers, including international stars from Jamaica, England, South Africa and now New Zealand.
In July, Netball NZ finally secured a broadcast deal for next year’s ANZ Premiership, but the national body will already be thinking about the future of the domestic league from 2027, with the deal only locked in for a year.
Netball New Zealand has been approached for comment.
Silver Ferns star Grace Nweke contested this year’s Super Netball with NSW Swifts. Jason McCawley / Getty Images
West said a growing fanbase drove strong viewership audiences and record-breaking attendances across all women’s sports leagues in Australia.
“The 2025 season reached new heights, with a record 388,455 attendees throughout the season, including a soldout and record Grand Final crowd of 15,013 at Rod Laver Arena,” Est said.
“The season was also the second-highest streamed of all time across the Foxtel Group, with a 23 percent increase in viewership across the drama-filled finals series.
“As we look toward the next era, it is vital that any expansion is strategic, sustainable and aligned with the long-term vision of Australian netball.
“We look forward to engaging with interested parties, as we consider the next stage of evolution for SSN.”
This year, Netball New Zealand changed its strict eligibility policy, prompted by Grace Nweke’s decision to sign with the New South Wales Swifts.
That left Nweke ineligible for the Silver Ferns, until the Netball NZ board backed down on its longstanding position and loosened its criteria. Next year, nine current and former Silver Ferns will bib up for the SSN league.
The appetite in Australia for a New Zealand franchise may be low, given how many import players already compete in the league and the lack of opportunities for local players.
The proposed SSN expansion aligns with Netball Australia’s recently released ’10 Year Strategy.’
Netball Australia is negotiating a new broadcast deal from 2027, as its current deal with Fox Sports runs until the end of 2026.
Board chair Liz Ellis recently told the Australian Financial Review that the sport was eyeing a return to free-to-air television, arguing reach was critical for its plans to attract more players and fans.
Netball NZ’s broadcast deal with TVNZ for next year’s ANZ Premiership marked a full return to free-to-air television for the domestic league. Sky Sport had been the major broadcast partner since 2008.
Netball Australia said the expression-of-interest process would evaluate, among other things, the commercial viability of prospective licensees and their preferred team locations.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
