Latest news with #JennieWyllie
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Silver Ferns star Grace Nweke awaits Netball NZ eligibility decision
Grace Nweke can't play for the Silver Ferns, after choosing to contest the Aussie Super Netball competition. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Netball NZ says it will soon decide on any changes to its eligibility policy, so players can weigh up their options for 2026. That decision can't come soon enough for star shooter Grace Nweke, whose decision to play in the Australian competition ruled her out of playing for the Silver Ferns this year. Chief executive Jennie Wyllie said the NNZ board was reviewing the policy. "That's something that goes hand in hand with a lot of our moving parts at the moment, but it's under consideration and we've made good progress on a direction of travel there," she said. "Still a bit too early to talk to that, we have a lot of stakeholders that we need to work with in the first instance." Time is of the essence, with just four rounds left in both the Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) and the ANZ Premiership regular seasons. Wyllie said any decision made by the board on eligibility rules would be timely enough for players to make decisions about next year. "Our board understand that, to give our players certainty for the coming year across our system, we need to be able to do this before we go into player contracting, post ANZ Premiership. "The board are taking it under consideration, the timeframes will be conducive to allow clarity for everyone that needs it, when they are making contracting decisions for 2026." Grace Nweke needs to know her options for 2026. Photo: Jason McCawley / Getty Images Nweke said any change could have a big impact on her decision-making and she needed to know where she stood. "Absolutely, there's so many cards on the table in terms of possibilities and options and opportunities, so being able to make an informed decision has been the biggest thing for me," Nweke said. "Since I made my informed decision around this time last year to play here, I haven't really had any more information about the future, so just waiting to know what my options are and what I guess the implications of option A, B, C, D would look like for me is kind of key." The current policy is designed to encourage the country's top netballers to play in the New Zealand league, so it remains strong. If the criteria does not change and Nweke opts to stay in Australia, she would miss next year's Commonwealth Games. The 23-year-old will have to make a decision soon. "It's getting about that time where you think about what you're doing the following season, so definitely looking forward to hearing whatever comes out of Netball New Zealand." Typically, clubs can already re-sign current contracted players in the SSN, before a contracting window opens after the Grand Final to approach players from other clubs. New Zealand is similar, with the added complication that Netball NZ is still finalising a broadcast deal - its current Sky agreement is expiring at the end of the year. The bargaining process for a new 2026 collective agreement between the Players' Association and Netball New Zealand will be delayed, until the national body reaches an agreement on broadcast rights. NNZ has already confirmed that a six-team domestic competition will continue in 2026. "It will be visible to our fans, but we're just working through that detail," Wyllie said. Nweke said she could feel the growth she had made since joining SSN, and had learnt a lot from playing against a range of international defenders from Jamaica, England and Australia. "Each week, teams are working on ways to combat our attacking unit, so there are moments where I genuinely feel quite stumped or really challenged, and I go to the bench, and ask for coaching and advice. The opportunity to learn in the moment has been awesome." Casey Kopua has come out of retirement to fulfill her Super Netball ambition. Photo: Brendon Thorne Silver Fern centurion Casey Kopua made a shock return to netball, when she came out of retirement three weeks ago to help the injury-depleted Giants, halfway through the SSN season. Kopua, 40, retired from elite netball, after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup, but had always wanted to play in the SSN. She will mark Nweke when her side plays the Swifts on Sunday and said she could understand the appeal for players who wanted to test themselves across the Tasman. Kopua said she missed the former trans-Tasman competition, when it ended after the 2016 season. "I was a big advocate for that to carry on," she said. "I loved coming up against the Aussies, and you could test yourself and see where you were at. "Also, I guess, it kept you at that international level, so when you played them internationally, it wasn't so much of a shock. I was all for that, playing them week in and week out." The eligibility issue first came to the forefront when teammate Laura Langman wanted to play in Australia. She was eventually given an exemption and captained the Silver Ferns to the 2019 World Cup victory. While she could see both sides of the debate, Kopua said playing in the SSN could only be a good thing for Nweke's game. "She's going to be learning a whole lot more skills and tools that she can bring back. If it makes her a better person and a better player, then why not? "She's an outstanding player and I think that New Zealand Netball need her." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Winning Move: WM New Zealand Announced As Naming Rights Partner Of International Netball Series
Netball New Zealand (NNZ) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with WM New Zealand who will become the naming rights partner of the International Netball Series – encompassing both the Taini Jamison Trophy and the New Zealand played Constellation Cup matches. The multi-year agreement marks a significant step forward for the sport, with WM New Zealand's support helping to elevate the profile of international netball matches and provide greater opportunities to engage fans across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Under the new partnership, the Series will be known as the WM New Zealand Netball Series, where the Silver Ferns will compete this year against South Africa for the Taini Jamison Trophy and play the Australian Diamonds to compete for the Constellation Cup. Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, community impact and the growth of women's sport. 'We are delighted to welcome WM New Zealand as our naming rights partner for our International Netball Series,' Wyllie said. 'This partnership allows us to continue building on the proud legacy of both the Taini Jamison Trophy and the Constellation Cup, showcasing the Silver Ferns' winning moves while inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans. WM New Zealand's values align strongly with our own, and we're excited about what we can achieve together.' The International Netball Series has long been a highlight on the global calendar, drawing some of the sport's fiercest international rivalries. The addition of WM New Zealand's backing signals renewed energy and ambition for netball at the highest level. WM New Zealand Managing Director Evan Maehl said the company was proud to stand alongside Netball NZ as naming rights partner. 'WM New Zealand is honoured to partner with Netball New Zealand in supporting the pinnacle of international netball in Aotearoa,' Maehl said. 'We believe in championing excellence, inclusion and community – values that are deeply embedded in this partnership. Our commitment to innovation and kaitiakitangi drives everything we do, and now we're excited to bring that same dedication to supporting elite netball. We're excited to support the Silver Ferns and help bring fans closer to the game they love through the WM International Netball Series.' Tickets for the WM International Netball Series go on public sale 12.00pm today.
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NNZ finally confirms premiership will go ahead next year
After weeks of uncertainty, Netball New Zealand has confirmed the ANZ Premiership will return in 2026. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the competition is locked in for next season and logistics were still being explored. But she did confirm all six franchises would return and the competition was likely to be during a similar time frame — from May to July — due to the Commonwealth Games. Wyllie was pleased to affirm the competition's status. "It's been really important for us to give that sort of certainty to our system," Wyllie said. NNZ was "still working through a whole bunch of things" but with the announcement was "able to at least give that comfort so that we can all move on and really focus on the product we're delivering this year" Signing a broadcast deal — which was scaled back for the 2025 season leading NNZ to produce the Saturday games in-house — was not far away either. "We're still working on what the optimum broadcast scenario is for the sport. There's lots of moving parts in that. "It's something that we are not too far off being able to finalise, but we've just got to make sure that we explore all of those options thoroughly." All options for the future of domestic netball, including returning to a three-round ANZ Premiership, moving the competition's timeframe to allow players to compete in Australia and joining Australia's Super Netball, are being considered. But they could not be put in action until 2027, Wyllie said. "We're considering all of the options of what our future product might look like. "But [2027] gives us enough time to plan it, [get] some really good insight from the market, engage with the players, and the fans, to make sure that whatever changes, or considerations, that we have on the table are well thought through." Several players have expressed their concerns for their future with the uncertainty of the ANZ Premiership. Asked if she felt there had been enough communication, Wyllie said NNZ worked closely with the New Zealand Players Association, which had been informed "the entire way through our discussions". "They will be sharing, as appropriate, with the athletes, and to be able to give them clarity around the future." Southern Steel coach Wendy Frew said it had been an unsettling time for players, but they were focused on the season ahead. "To be honest, we haven't talked about it a lot," Frew said. "It is unsettling, but at the moment we're just focusing on the opposition and what we can control. "Next year, at the moment, we can't control. We're just trying to put our best foot forward for the season. "This netball competition's the best one in the world. We need it to keep going, so we're grateful that we're playing in it and we're just hopeful that it continues." Having reduced games had made it tough this season. "You pretty much could lose six games and you're not in playoff contention. "It's been hard to fit everything in the preseason, but every team's in the same boat, so you've just got to adapt as well as you can and just try put it all out there." Frew said she did not mind whether New Zealand joined the Australia domestically again, but hoped "this league stays alive". "It's a fantastic competition. "Whether it be the New Zealand domestic comp or we join the Aussies — I mean, I loved playing the Aussies — but whatever's best for the game in New Zealand. "Whatever's going to keep growing the sport and keeping those young girls, and boys, coming through and playing the game."
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Netball New Zealand claims six-team ANZ Premiership coming in 2026 - but no broadcast deal yet
Netball New Zealand is firming plans for next year's ANZ Premiership - despite a broadcast deal still not being in place. The governing body is planning for the retention of a six-team Kiwi competition in 2026, which has been in place since 2017. The current broadcast deal with Sky - which upholds the pay model - expires this year. Without one, the ANZ Premiership as we know it will cease to exist. Just three weeks ago, NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie refused to confirm all six franchises will survive beyond this season.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
NZME Announces Exclusive Partnership With Netball New Zealand
Press Release – NZME Emily Travers, NZME Head of Commercial Sport, Partnerships and Events says the partnership represents a perfect alignment between NZME's audience growth strategy and its commitment to supporting New Zealand's sporting community. New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) is proud to announce an exclusive multi-year media partnership with Netball New Zealand including the Silver Ferns, ANZ Premiership competition and all six ANZ Premiership teams. The comprehensive partnership spans NZME's multi-channel media portfolio across its audio, print, digital and OneRoof real estate platforms, creating unprecedented exposure for netball across New Zealand. The partnership will be led by The Hits radio network, creating significant opportunities to engage with their target audience while supporting local netball communities. The Hits hosts will feature prominently on game days, bringing fans closer to the action both on and off the court. Emily Travers, NZME Head of Commercial Sport, Partnerships and Events says the partnership represents a perfect alignment between NZME's audience growth strategy and its commitment to supporting New Zealand's sporting community. 'Netball has such a strong presence in communities throughout the country, and we're excited to help amplify the sport's visibility while creating engaging content for our audiences across all our platforms. This new partnership also creates valuable opportunities for our advertising clients, allowing them to leverage netball-related content and audiences across NZME's extensive media network,' she says. Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie says: 'Partnering with NZME gives us unprecedented reach across multiple media channels to share the stories of our athletes, teams and competitions. This collaboration will help us achieve our objectives of growing the netball community while bringing fans closer to the sport they love. 'With more than 145,000 registered netball players in New Zealand and its position as the highest participation sport in secondary schools, netball continues to be a cornerstone of the country's sporting landscape. The sport is also seeing increasing participation from men, reflecting its evolving appeal across diverse demographics.' Complementing this partnership, NZME and the Newstalk ZB podcast network has also launched a new weekly netball podcast called Inside Netball, featuring former Silver Ferns Adine Wilson and Anna Stanley, alongside renowned netball commentator and Newstalk ZB journalist Jenny Woods. A new edition of the podcast is available every Thursday on iHeartRadio.
