Jennah Wootten: Netball New Zealand CEO on her first week in the role, the Mowbray's proposal to save the ANZ Premiership

Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennah Wootton is conscious of rushing a decision which could define her tenure. 

She's officially started in the role as of Wednesday as the sport grapples to salvage its domestic competition.  

The Herald reports Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray have pitched a professional competition to bridge the gap to a fully privatised 2028 league. 

Wootton told Mike Hosking time is crucial as players weigh up options offshore, but they need to do their due diligence. 

She says it’s a decision that will have impacts for years to come, so they need to make sure it’s the right decision, it’s responsibly made, and that it works really well for the game’s future. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Netball back in the news, we've dealt with the Super Rugby.
Earlier on netball back in the news, we've got a
new CEO started a new job this week. We also
have news of a potential elite level deal. We've got
some private equity in there, apparently Netball Chief Executive Jenna
Wooden is with us.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Good morning, Good morning Mike, thanks for having me, not
at all.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
Did you like what you saw in Scotland?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Oh, look, it was incredible. I was on the edge
of my seat, like I think most New Zealanders for
the whole of the Commonwealth games, from that very first
match right through to that final whistle. It was just incredible.
And I think I speak on behalf of all New
Zealanders when I just say how incredibly proud we were
of not just our silver Ferns, but that whole management

(00:41):
team Dame Nolean. It was just a phenomenal performance that
they turned out over there for New Zealand.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
Did you see it as redemption for Dame Nolen?

Speaker 2 (00:50):
Look, I think it was incredible for the whole team.
I think the way they have come together off the
back of a really challenging period was beautiful to witness
and you know, I think to that point, Mike, there
was no doubt that on court performance was phenomenal. But
what I think we saw throughout the games was the
culture and the connection and the genuine unity between the coaches,

(01:14):
the management team, and the players. And I think some
of those moments were real highlights, highlights to watch in
a real privilege to watch, you know. I think the
watching the haka for the Silver Foum's manager, Easter Malloy,
You know, that was a beautiful moment to watch, seeing
Karastie jumping and just being the ultimate fangirl for her

(01:38):
team on the sidelines, watching them after the gold medal match,
when they came together in that circle and they were
banging the chair and they were singing their song. I
want to understand more about that moment because I know
I wouldn't have been the only one at home watching
that with tears in my eyes, just feeling an immense
amount of emotion and pride.

Speaker 1 (01:57):
Meantime, back at home, in the cold heart world of
your reality, you're any closer to fixing your problem.

Speaker 2 (02:05):
There's an enormous amount of work that is underway. So
I started formerly in the role on Wednesday. We are
looking at a number of options in regards to the
domestic competition, and we're working really closely with the Players
Association and the zones to make sure that we're bodoming
out the options that do exist and that we're making
the best possible option, not just the twenty seven, but

(02:28):
for generations to come, because that's what's really important. And
I know time is absolutely of the essence. It's not
lost on me how critical it is that we're getting
this information out to the players and we're giving them
the certainty that they need. That's enormously important and that
wighs heavily on us as an organization, as it should.

(02:50):
But this is a decision that will have impacts for
years to come, and we need to make sure that
the decision is the right decision, that it's responsively made,
and that it works really well for the future of people.

Speaker 1 (03:02):
Is there a twenty seven?

Speaker 2 (03:05):
Look, we're really committed to making sure there is, and
there's a lot of work taking place on the moment
of what that could be and what the right option is.
But I think the thing I'm saying to everyone at
the moment is it's about solutions, you know, and that's
that's the mindset we're coming to the table with in
regards to both twenty seven but also.

Speaker 1 (03:26):
Beyond when's the is there is there a Mobra deal
or no?

Speaker 2 (03:31):
Well, our chair alsit car others. A couple of weeks
ago talked quite openly that private equity is something that
we absolutely are looking at as many sports, both here
and globally.

Speaker 1 (03:44):
All of those.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
Discussions are confidential at the moment. I can't go into
a huge amount of details, but I absolutely can confirm
that we are looking at options involving private equity along
with other options as well.

Speaker 1 (03:55):
And is the private equit for twenty seven or twenty eight?

Speaker 2 (04:00):
It is for twenty seven and beyond.

Speaker 1 (04:03):
Right, is there more than one private equity option or
just the one.

Speaker 2 (04:07):
I'm not able to talk specifically about the options that
we are looking at, but there are multiple options that
we're considering, and that's appropriate because it's really important that
we're selecting the right option that's going to set us
up well for the future.

Speaker 1 (04:19):
Because that was my next question. Is the private equity
option a charity option or are they in a long
haul because they believe in the game can grow the
game and they see it as a business return with
the bottom line and all the other bits and pieces
that go with that sort of call.

Speaker 2 (04:33):
Well, I think the language I'm using as private equity,
I'm not talking about philanthropy. So I think when I'm
talking to private equity, I'm talking about a return on
investment that investors would want to see. Philanthropy is a
different conversation, and depending on parties involved, they may be

(04:54):
looking more at a private equity angle or a philanthropic angle.
But what we're talking about at the moment as one
of many options being considered as private equity.

Speaker 1 (05:03):
So, as you talked to us this Friday morning, you
bullish remaining pause. Jeez, well, bullish.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
Isn't a word. I'm used like that's a you word,
that's not a me word. But I would say I'm optimistic,
you know I when I took this role, I felt
enormously heartened by the strength of our community game over
one hundred and fifty thousand members. You know, you go
to any of the eighty three netbook centers around the country,
the game is absolutely pumping. You can buy that at
the other end with you know, we're we're our silver

(05:36):
firms have one gold at the Commonwealth Games, that's phenomenal.
And then if I look ahead to the next twelve
months where we're counting down now to a World Cup
in Sydney. So there is an enormous amount to be
really optimistic about. But there are huge challenges in front
of us as well, so we've got to work through
those challenges. We've got to make the right decisions for
the long term sustainability of the sport and I am

(05:59):
absolutely conquered we will get there with the partners that
we're working through. You know, this isn't just a niqual
New Zealand challenge that we're we're trying to walk through.
We're doing it together with the Players Association, We're doing
it with our zones, our life members are hugely engaged
in this discussion with us. It's about us all of
netball solutions that we can collectively feel incredibly.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
Positive about well the type. So I appreciate you time
very much, Jenna would't. We'll stay in touch her who
started on Wednesday, chief Executive of Netball New Zealand. Now
there's a job with a herdle Ace. For more from
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