Hopes a tough few months at Netball New Zealand can begin to be consigned to the past as the 2026 ANZ Premiership gets underway in Wellington this afternoon.
The first game between the Pulse and Magic follows an offseason with more headlines coming from boardroom than the court, with some questions still unanswered.
Netball Players Association GM Pippa Moore told Piney it’s been a tough time for the players, as they don’t know what will happen next year, and that uncertainty is unsettling.
“I think the players are in a pretty difficult position ... they’ve had to take a cut, but they’re optimistic.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
You an Zen Premiership Netball season underway this weekend, but
it comes off the back of one of the most
challenging periods the game has ever faced here in New Zealand.
Pay Cuts for players are reduced, broadcast deal, uncertainty around
the league's future, and a growing number of our top
players heading off shore to play in Australia have all
raised real questions about the strength and sustainability of our
(00:36):
domestic netball competition. So what does it all mean for
the players and where is the game headed here in
New Zealand. Pipper Moore is general manager of the New
Zealand Netball Players Association and she's with us on Weekend Sport. Piper,
thanks for taking the time. How would you describe the
state of elite netball in New Zealand right now as
(00:57):
we head into a brand new A and Zen Premiership season?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Heah, hi, Jason, thanks for having me on your show today.
And No, it's really exciting. There's a lot of upcoming
new talent coming into the that are coming into the
competition and I think they're I actually I can speak on
behalf of the girls that they're genuinely really excited around
heading into this competition. So I think that does really
to get started.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
It has been, as I say, a challenging time for
the game and netball in the last twelve months or
so for various reasons. So how has that affected the
mindset of the players as they, you know, as they
contemplate what the top level of the game might mean
for them here in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah. Absolutely, I don't think we can be around the
bush with that one. It's been a really tough time
with the players and they don't know what's going to
be happening next year, and that uncertainty is unsettling. And
I think it's just like if any other person in
their job, you know, not knowing what next year looks
like or not knowing if you do have a job.
I mean, that's pretty tough. So I think the players
(02:01):
are in a pretty difficult position. Like you said at
the start, they've had to take a cut, but they're
really optimistic. They work bloody hard, they they know they
know they are able to just put that to one
side and focus on this competition. But behind the scenes,
we're working where you know, we need to work closely
(02:21):
with nets on to ensure that there is a pathway
moving forward for Netwiness country, and I'm really confident that
we can ensure that there is. It's a great product.
There's a lot of following, a lot of interest. Last year,
they had a number of sell out games, sell out
stadiums throughout the competition. You know, it's two rounds, so
(02:42):
it's it's it is promising, it is positive for the
game moving forward. I think we have a lot of
confidence that we can find a way through all of this.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, it sounds like cautious optimism from what you say there.
I mean the sports massive it's huge and as you say,
people still turn up to watch it. It's on free
towear television this year as well, which will only increase
the numbers. But you do feel cautiously optimistic or eve
and even optimistic that the future is bright for this
competition and our elite players playing here in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah. Absolutely, Like we've said, the following and the interest
is great. We've got a number of exciting players coming up,
and a lot of exciting players within the Silver Fern
squad and in the wider group and a lot of
players that have played in a number of years in
the AZ competition. That will add a lot of strength
and I am optimistic the key stakeholders, you know, obviously
(03:35):
the players being the key stakeholder and working alongside Netball
New Zealand and the other key stateholders to ensure that
there is a positive and a sustainable domestic competition moving
into next and beyond.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
The change of the eligibility rules around Silver Ferns selection,
meaning that players can play in Australia and still be
eligible for the Silver Ferns a scene. You know, a
bit of our top talent heading across the Tasman Is that?
Is that just money, Pippa or are there other things
that play here as well?
Speaker 3 (04:12):
No, it's not. It's not just money. I mean each
player will have their reasons why they have gone overseas.
Some might be because they have played A and Z
for a number of years and they wanted something different.
Some might be just they wanted to experience a different
style of of netball. Others, yees, it might be money,
might be because there's been a lot of uncertainty in
the current and the A and Z domestic competition. There's
(04:34):
a number of reasons which which will be why if
some of the players have gone overseas, and and we
welcome the opportunity to allow players to experience that, to
experience living abroad. But again it's that opens the door
for a number of players here to jump into positions
or to jump into those teams where they might not
(04:55):
otherwise have had that opportunity. And I don't think he
has said as a number of players they've gone overseas.
But but you know, last year we saw the likes
of you know, Catherine Hall who had an amazing season
and then got into the Silver Ferns. So it does
create opportunities for other players back here.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Yees. So players here still believe that the an Zet
Premiership can provide their pathway to the Silver Ferns.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Yes, yeah, yeah, and we saw that. We saw that
last year, we'll see it again this year. I don't
think people will be disappointed with the product and what
these women can can deliver. They've been working really hard
in the preseason and I think they're just ready to
get started and to get going.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
You mentioned before, Pepper, and you're so right. In any
industry when there's uncertainty, a unemployment that can cause stress
and decisions have to be made. Are players having to
make career decisions based on financial sustainability rather than just
purely their netball ambitions.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
I don't it would be hard to put them painting
them all with in one brush. I mean, I think
it is definitely taking its toll on the players, making
them reconsider a couple of things, or maybe having to
work or change parts of they what they're doing, or
(06:17):
sort of long term plans. But I think ultimately a
lot of majority, or and if not all, of these
players are really committed and determined and to play for
their domestic netball teams and they're doing everything they possibly
can to ensure that they can can do that.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So you're having conversations obviously with Netball New Zealand, robust
conversations because I mean, these are professional athletes. They need
to be able to, you know, to fully commit to it,
don't they, And with with reduced salaries that's not always
possible or it adds a layer of complication to that.
From the players association perspective, what do Netball New Zealand
(06:57):
need to do to stabilize the elite game here?
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah, we will lot to work closely with net New
Zealand to ensure that there is a stable, sustainable ANC
competition next year. And I mean it is challenging and
we all know that the broadcasting opportunities out there and
sport can be challenging and they are challenging at the moment,
but it's also it's also an opportunity to look at
(07:24):
delivering sport in a different way. If you look all
around the world, it's not just just through a Skydale
or through a broadcasting deal. There's lots of different ways
to show off the sport and I think this is
an opportunity for NETWLE New Zealand to look to do
things differently, which is exciting and that's what we will
be working closely with Netwill New Zealand to ensure happens.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yes, that balancing act, doesn't it because you're right, you
don't get the broadcast money, but you do get free
to wear and you know with the entire competition or
Fred We're we're going to hear from Melody Robinson on
the show a bit later on today. That has to
be an opportunity, doesn't it to get eyeballs on your
sports what message would you give to fans I guess
who might be a bit worried about the future of
the game.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Here, just just get them behind the teams, get them
behind the girls, and just go and make sure that
you turn and support them. Go to the games, watching
on television and you'll see a great a great product,
and just make sure you get them behind and supporting
the players that they've been to a pretty tough time
and and and they're still ensuring that they're ready and
(08:30):
to go for the start of the competition. So it's
just about making sure that you support them and and
some and also understanding it's quite it's hard, it's challenging
for these players. It's challenging to not know what the
future holds and to take a pay cart but to
still want to be able to compete and train at
the level that they think is required. Like it's a
(08:50):
it's a really it's a balancing act and it's a
difficult one. But just understand also these are human their
players are people, and they're making sure that they're putting
their best foot forward. So and just supporting them, getting
behind them, I.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Think it's a huge credit to them. It's a massive
credit to them against the backdrop of the tumultuous times
the sport has faced in the last twelve months to
do exactly what you've said, to get out there, to
put a product on court starting this weekend and exciting
fans about this great game. I think it's a huge
credit to them. So look, thanks for joining us this afternoon.
All the best with your ongoing conversations with Netball New Zealand.
(09:27):
Look forward to staying in touch.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Thank you, Thanks Stason, No.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Thank you. Pipa more there. She is the general manager
of the New Zealand at Netball Players Association. The A
and Z Premiership underway this afternoon. As I say, I
think it's a massive credit to the players to take
a pay cut and with the backdrop of major uncertainty
around the future of the competition, still turn up and
(09:53):
train like professionals and give everything they've got for their
franchises because what else is there to do. Yes, we've
lost a lot of players over to the Australian Netball competition,
as many as eight I think it last counts, but
that opens opportunities for others. The A and Z Premiership
has always been a terrific at game product a good
(10:17):
television product and it's on free to air now. Melody
Robinson from TV and Z going to join us shortly
to tell us a bit more about that. But against
the backdrop of an organization that has not served them
very well at all in the last twelve months. Netballs players,
I think need to be congratulated and supported, and they
(10:40):
are among them more engaging elite sports people in our
country when it comes to their fans and with their
sponsors and with their broadcasters and the things that they
do with all of them. I just hope that they
get some sort of resolution around what the future might
look like, because at the moment, there is still no
certainty around next year, and here we are at the
(11:02):
start of this year. It's got to be really unsettling.
And the pause after I asked the question there to
Pipper of whether players are making decisions based around whether
they can afford to play the game rather than chase
their netball ambitions was really telling to me. And you know,
she very authentic answer from Pepper. You know, she said, well,
(11:24):
I don't want to place them all on the same boat,
but of course everybody has to look at their circumstances.
It's the same in any job. If you're not making
ends meet, no matter how much you love your job,
you've still got to pay your rent and put food
on the table. Ain Z Premiership is going to be
live on TV and z across this season.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
You an Zen Premiership Netball season underway this weekend, but
it comes off the back of one of the most
challenging periods the game has ever faced here in New Zealand.
Pay Cuts for players are reduced, broadcast deal, uncertainty around
the league's future, and a growing number of our top
players heading off shore to play in Australia have all
raised real questions about the strength and sustainability of our
(00:36):
domestic netball competition. So what does it all mean for
the players and where is the game headed here in
New Zealand. Pipper Moore is general manager of the New
Zealand Netball Players Association and she's with us on Weekend Sport. Piper,
thanks for taking the time. How would you describe the
state of elite netball in New Zealand right now as
(00:57):
we head into a brand new A and Zen Premiership season?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Heah, hi, Jason, thanks for having me on your show today.
And No, it's really exciting. There's a lot of upcoming
new talent coming into the that are coming into the
competition and I think they're I actually I can speak on
behalf of the girls that they're genuinely really excited around
heading into this competition. So I think that does really
to get started.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
It has been, as I say, a challenging time for
the game and netball in the last twelve months or
so for various reasons. So how has that affected the
mindset of the players as they, you know, as they
contemplate what the top level of the game might mean
for them here in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah. Absolutely, I don't think we can be around the
bush with that one. It's been a really tough time
with the players and they don't know what's going to
be happening next year, and that uncertainty is unsettling. And
I think it's just like if any other person in
their job, you know, not knowing what next year looks
like or not knowing if you do have a job.
I mean, that's pretty tough. So I think the players
(02:01):
are in a pretty difficult position. Like you said at
the start, they've had to take a cut, but they're
really optimistic. They work bloody hard, they they know they
know they are able to just put that to one
side and focus on this competition. But behind the scenes,
we're working where you know, we need to work closely
(02:21):
with nets on to ensure that there is a pathway
moving forward for Netwiness country, and I'm really confident that
we can ensure that there is. It's a great product.
There's a lot of following, a lot of interest. Last year,
they had a number of sell out games, sell out
stadiums throughout the competition. You know, it's two rounds, so
(02:42):
it's it's it is promising, it is positive for the
game moving forward. I think we have a lot of
confidence that we can find a way through all of this.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, it sounds like cautious optimism from what you say there.
I mean the sports massive it's huge and as you say,
people still turn up to watch it. It's on free
towear television this year as well, which will only increase
the numbers. But you do feel cautiously optimistic or eve
and even optimistic that the future is bright for this
competition and our elite players playing here in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah. Absolutely, Like we've said, the following and the interest
is great. We've got a number of exciting players coming up,
and a lot of exciting players within the Silver Fern
squad and in the wider group and a lot of
players that have played in a number of years in
the AZ competition. That will add a lot of strength
and I am optimistic the key stakeholders, you know, obviously
(03:35):
the players being the key stakeholder and working alongside Netball
New Zealand and the other key stateholders to ensure that
there is a positive and a sustainable domestic competition moving
into next and beyond.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
The change of the eligibility rules around Silver Ferns selection,
meaning that players can play in Australia and still be
eligible for the Silver Ferns a scene. You know, a
bit of our top talent heading across the Tasman Is that?
Is that just money, Pippa or are there other things
that play here as well?
Speaker 3 (04:12):
No, it's not. It's not just money. I mean each
player will have their reasons why they have gone overseas.
Some might be because they have played A and Z
for a number of years and they wanted something different.
Some might be just they wanted to experience a different
style of of netball. Others, yees, it might be money,
might be because there's been a lot of uncertainty in
the current and the A and Z domestic competition. There's
(04:34):
a number of reasons which which will be why if
some of the players have gone overseas, and and we
welcome the opportunity to allow players to experience that, to
experience living abroad. But again it's that opens the door
for a number of players here to jump into positions
or to jump into those teams where they might not
(04:55):
otherwise have had that opportunity. And I don't think he
has said as a number of players they've gone overseas.
But but you know, last year we saw the likes
of you know, Catherine Hall who had an amazing season
and then got into the Silver Ferns. So it does
create opportunities for other players back here.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Yees. So players here still believe that the an Zet
Premiership can provide their pathway to the Silver Ferns.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Yes, yeah, yeah, and we saw that. We saw that
last year, we'll see it again this year. I don't
think people will be disappointed with the product and what
these women can can deliver. They've been working really hard
in the preseason and I think they're just ready to
get started and to get going.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
You mentioned before, Pepper, and you're so right. In any
industry when there's uncertainty, a unemployment that can cause stress
and decisions have to be made. Are players having to
make career decisions based on financial sustainability rather than just
purely their netball ambitions.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
I don't it would be hard to put them painting
them all with in one brush. I mean, I think
it is definitely taking its toll on the players, making
them reconsider a couple of things, or maybe having to
work or change parts of they what they're doing, or
(06:17):
sort of long term plans. But I think ultimately a
lot of majority, or and if not all, of these
players are really committed and determined and to play for
their domestic netball teams and they're doing everything they possibly
can to ensure that they can can do that.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So you're having conversations obviously with Netball New Zealand, robust
conversations because I mean, these are professional athletes. They need
to be able to, you know, to fully commit to it,
don't they, And with with reduced salaries that's not always
possible or it adds a layer of complication to that.
From the players association perspective, what do Netball New Zealand
(06:57):
need to do to stabilize the elite game here?
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah, we will lot to work closely with net New
Zealand to ensure that there is a stable, sustainable ANC
competition next year. And I mean it is challenging and
we all know that the broadcasting opportunities out there and
sport can be challenging and they are challenging at the moment,
but it's also it's also an opportunity to look at
(07:24):
delivering sport in a different way. If you look all
around the world, it's not just just through a Skydale
or through a broadcasting deal. There's lots of different ways
to show off the sport and I think this is
an opportunity for NETWLE New Zealand to look to do
things differently, which is exciting and that's what we will
be working closely with Netwill New Zealand to ensure happens.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yes, that balancing act, doesn't it because you're right, you
don't get the broadcast money, but you do get free
to wear and you know with the entire competition or
Fred We're we're going to hear from Melody Robinson on
the show a bit later on today. That has to
be an opportunity, doesn't it to get eyeballs on your
sports what message would you give to fans I guess
who might be a bit worried about the future of
the game.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Here, just just get them behind the teams, get them
behind the girls, and just go and make sure that
you turn and support them. Go to the games, watching
on television and you'll see a great a great product,
and just make sure you get them behind and supporting
the players that they've been to a pretty tough time
and and and they're still ensuring that they're ready and
(08:30):
to go for the start of the competition. So it's
just about making sure that you support them and and
some and also understanding it's quite it's hard, it's challenging
for these players. It's challenging to not know what the
future holds and to take a pay cart but to
still want to be able to compete and train at
the level that they think is required. Like it's a
(08:50):
it's a really it's a balancing act and it's a
difficult one. But just understand also these are human their
players are people, and they're making sure that they're putting
their best foot forward. So and just supporting them, getting
behind them, I.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Think it's a huge credit to them. It's a massive
credit to them against the backdrop of the tumultuous times
the sport has faced in the last twelve months to
do exactly what you've said, to get out there, to
put a product on court starting this weekend and exciting
fans about this great game. I think it's a huge
credit to them. So look, thanks for joining us this afternoon.
All the best with your ongoing conversations with Netball New Zealand.
(09:27):
Look forward to staying in touch.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Thank you, Thanks Stason, No.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Thank you. Pipa more there. She is the general manager
of the New Zealand at Netball Players Association. The A
and Z Premiership underway this afternoon. As I say, I
think it's a massive credit to the players to take
a pay cut and with the backdrop of major uncertainty
around the future of the competition, still turn up and
(09:53):
train like professionals and give everything they've got for their
franchises because what else is there to do. Yes, we've
lost a lot of players over to the Australian Netball competition,
as many as eight I think it last counts, but
that opens opportunities for others. The A and Z Premiership
has always been a terrific at game product a good
(10:17):
television product and it's on free to air now. Melody
Robinson from TV and Z going to join us shortly
to tell us a bit more about that. But against
the backdrop of an organization that has not served them
very well at all in the last twelve months. Netballs players,
I think need to be congratulated and supported, and they
(10:40):
are among them more engaging elite sports people in our
country when it comes to their fans and with their
sponsors and with their broadcasters and the things that they
do with all of them. I just hope that they
get some sort of resolution around what the future might
look like, because at the moment, there is still no
certainty around next year, and here we are at the
(11:02):
start of this year. It's got to be really unsettling.
And the pause after I asked the question there to
Pipper of whether players are making decisions based around whether
they can afford to play the game rather than chase
their netball ambitions was really telling to me. And you know,
she very authentic answer from Pepper. You know, she said, well,
(11:24):
I don't want to place them all on the same boat,
but of course everybody has to look at their circumstances.
It's the same in any job. If you're not making
ends meet, no matter how much you love your job,
you've still got to pay your rent and put food
on the table. Ain Z Premiership is going to be
live on TV and z across this season.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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