Towering shooter Grace Nweke won’t play for New Zealand next year as she signs with the New South Wales Swifts in Australia’s Super Netball competition for the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old – who has played for the Northern Mystics since debuting in the ANZ Premiership in 2019 – was announced today by the Swifts via a statement on their website.
Grace Nweke told NZME she was keen to move across the ditch because she wasn’t challenged enough in Aotearoa.
“I didn’t see any other club in New Zealand being able to tick those boxes for me in terms of growing my game and developing there so an opportunity to play for the Swifts came across to me and I really had to sit on it - but do feel right now that this move will be massive for growing my netball.”
Matt Whineray, chair of the Netball New Zealand board, joins Piney to discuss what this means for NZ Netball.
“This is an opportunity for Grace – there's a real commitment from Grace to the black dress and the Silver Ferns in the long term.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from newstalk EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Silver Fern shooter Grace Wicky has signed with the New
South Wales Swifts for next season, leaving the Northern Mystics.
It makes her ineligible for New Zealand next year. She
can those still play for the Silver Ferns this year
they have upcoming tests against England for the Tiny Jamison
Trophy and Australia for the Constellation Cup in late September
and into October. Grace wiki with us very shortly, but
(00:34):
first let's bring in chair of the Netball New Zealand Board,
Matt Winner Ray Matt, thanks for joining us. How did
you navigate your way through Grace's desire to play her
netball off Shaw next year?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Oh well, Grace, Grace let us know that was what
she was interested in doing, and you know, frankly, she
wants to go and grow both on and off the court,
experience some new challenges, get some new experiences, and so
she has decided to do that by going to the
Swifts for one year. And as you noted, that makes
it ineligible for the for the self Foons next year.
(01:09):
But I guess The key bit for us was, look,
this is an opportunity for Grace. There's there's a real
commitment from Grace to the Black Dress and the self
founds in the long term, and so we looked forward
to getting you back in time to lead into those
next lot of pinnacle events. So maybe we've got a
Calm Games at the back end of twenty twenty six,
hopefully we do. And of course the Netball World Cup
(01:30):
in three years time.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
So this is just the one year.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
That's right, Grace assigned for one year.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Did you try and persuade her to stay.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, Look, I think if someone wants to go and
do you know, this is like a netball oe, isn't it.
So you know I did that when I was when
I was in my twenties, not a netple one, but
but I went and went in New York for a
few years. I think, you know, that's just an opportunity
that she wanted to take. And so we totally we
get that. We respect that decision. She didn't apply for
(02:00):
an exemption. She understands the rationale for that, for that policy,
which is that we want to keep the domestic being strong.
But look, we understand that and We wish her all
the best in this and we really look forward to
getting her back and seeing how she's how she's taken
advantage of that opportunity in the twenty twenty five year.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Did you consider offering her an exemption?
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Well, she didn't apply for one. She understands that. She
understands that, as I said, that rationale. And if you
think about those those two examples of rexemptions in the past,
Laura Langman and Maria Palau, those were quite different circumstances.
They were one hundred test centurions. They had provided an
extensive service and contribution to Netble and the silk Foons
(02:46):
over over an extended period of time, so quite a
different set of circumstances. Grace understood that she was prepared
to make that sacrifice by not she didn't make the application.
She understood that she sort of fell outside that those examples,
but nevertheless wanted to take this opportunity. And I think
it sort of fits in well from a timing perspective
for us as set around around when those pinnacle events happen.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Would you ever consider, though, Matt, you know, yes, you didn't.
Didn't didn't request one, didn't apply for one, would you
independently as a board say hey, Grace, you're so good,
we're willing to offer you an exemption, you know, would
you independently make that offer to her?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well, I think the key with that is that there's
a there's a clear rationale for that policy, which is
to maintain a domestic league in a strong way. And
that is that is for us to protect and preserve
that that domestic development pathway. And so we we you know,
that means that where you think about those exemptions, they
are in a relatively narrow space because what you're trying
(03:44):
to do is is, you know, is guard the long
term interests of the game. We think that's still is important.
We've had that discussion as a board where that policy
is still an important one for us, and so that's that's,
you know, why we continue to apply that. It's a
really it's really important development pathway for us.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
It's almost identical, isn't it a using rugby stance on
selecting all blacks players from only those playing in super rugby.
They're obviously, you know, having ongoing discussions and they're sticking
fast to their rules at the moment. Can you ever
see your rules being relaxed, you know, even even a
little bit.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
I think it depends a little bit on what the
what the domestic league looks like. So you know that
that's that's not something we're thinking about doing at the moment.
But I think you you know, these things you always
keep under a view. What you're trying to do is
is create the strongest pathway you can for your for
your for our New Zealand players, for the domestic domestic
pathway to to develop great silver ferns and create will
(04:40):
winning CIVI fun teams.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
What's your sense on whether other players might follow suit
now that Grace has taken the sleep.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Ah, you know, look, we just have to We'll just
have to wait and see. The teams are going through
their contracting in the moment. I think most of the
some COTS Super Netball teams have announced they're they're players now,
that's that's sort of going through that process. And our
our Premiership teams are in the middle of their contracting
and our continuing to lease announcements about who's been signed
(05:08):
and who's moved you know where and what have you.
So so not at present, but you know, we'll see.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
And you consider the black dress still to be a
strong enough, strong enough reason for players to stay or
to as Grace has go and come back for Pinnacle events.
You don't suspect that there might be And I'll use
rugby as as a comparison again, players who just go
off shore to play chase maybe slightly bit of money
in Australia or maybe over in the in the Northern
(05:36):
Hemisphere and therefore make themselves unavailable for New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Well, it was it was very clear from the discussions
with Grace that the Black Dress is very important to
her and she's got a very strong commitment to that.
So that that's the sort of the one data point
we've got at the moment on that I think, and
so that's what and that's reflected and who decision to
sign for the one year to do it at this
time which is out of cycle if you like, in
terms of those Pinnacle events and express that very strong commitment.
(06:05):
So I think at the moment that Black Dress is
a very strong is a very strong attraction and motivated
for our top netboards.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
And I guess it opens an opportunity for somebody else
to step under the shooting circle, doesn't it. How do
you assess the strength of those who are or will
be next year in charge of filling those rather large
shoes of hers.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Oh yeah, I think it absolutely does give that opportunity
so someone else gets a bit of exposure at the
top level and more time with the with the coaches.
And I look forward to that because I think that's
that's the opportunity that in a way grace is provided
by providing that space, and we looked forward to seeing that.
We've we've seen, you know, we every year you see
you see people plat top players continue to develop and
(06:48):
grow and we look forward to that happening next year
as well.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Good Man, Matt, thanks for taking the time for a chat.
Really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
No chairs, no thank you mate.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
That's Matt Winerry. He's the chair of the board of Netborn,
New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
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 Fine
from newstalk EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Silver Fern shooter Grace Wicky has signed with the New
South Wales Swifts for next season, leaving the Northern Mystics.
It makes her ineligible for New Zealand next year. She
can those still play for the Silver Ferns this year
they have upcoming tests against England for the Tiny Jamison
Trophy and Australia for the Constellation Cup in late September
and into October. Grace wiki with us very shortly, but
(00:34):
first let's bring in chair of the Netball New Zealand Board,
Matt Winner Ray Matt, thanks for joining us. How did
you navigate your way through Grace's desire to play her
netball off Shaw next year?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Oh well, Grace, Grace let us know that was what
she was interested in doing, and you know, frankly, she
wants to go and grow both on and off the court,
experience some new challenges, get some new experiences, and so
she has decided to do that by going to the
Swifts for one year. And as you noted, that makes
it ineligible for the for the self Foons next year.
(01:09):
But I guess The key bit for us was, look,
this is an opportunity for Grace. There's there's a real
commitment from Grace to the Black Dress and the self
founds in the long term, and so we looked forward
to getting you back in time to lead into those
next lot of pinnacle events. So maybe we've got a
Calm Games at the back end of twenty twenty six,
hopefully we do. And of course the Netball World Cup
(01:30):
in three years time.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
So this is just the one year.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
That's right, Grace assigned for one year.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Did you try and persuade her to stay.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, Look, I think if someone wants to go and
do you know, this is like a netball oe, isn't it.
So you know I did that when I was when
I was in my twenties, not a netple one, but
but I went and went in New York for a
few years. I think, you know, that's just an opportunity
that she wanted to take. And so we totally we
get that. We respect that decision. She didn't apply for
(02:00):
an exemption. She understands the rationale for that, for that policy,
which is that we want to keep the domestic being strong.
But look, we understand that and We wish her all
the best in this and we really look forward to
getting her back and seeing how she's how she's taken
advantage of that opportunity in the twenty twenty five year.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Did you consider offering her an exemption?
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Well, she didn't apply for one. She understands that. She
understands that, as I said, that rationale. And if you
think about those those two examples of rexemptions in the past,
Laura Langman and Maria Palau, those were quite different circumstances.
They were one hundred test centurions. They had provided an
extensive service and contribution to Netble and the silk Foons
(02:46):
over over an extended period of time, so quite a
different set of circumstances. Grace understood that she was prepared
to make that sacrifice by not she didn't make the application.
She understood that she sort of fell outside that those examples,
but nevertheless wanted to take this opportunity. And I think
it sort of fits in well from a timing perspective
for us as set around around when those pinnacle events happen.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Would you ever consider, though, Matt, you know, yes, you didn't.
Didn't didn't request one, didn't apply for one, would you
independently as a board say hey, Grace, you're so good,
we're willing to offer you an exemption, you know, would
you independently make that offer to her?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well, I think the key with that is that there's
a there's a clear rationale for that policy, which is
to maintain a domestic league in a strong way. And
that is that is for us to protect and preserve
that that domestic development pathway. And so we we you know,
that means that where you think about those exemptions, they
are in a relatively narrow space because what you're trying
(03:44):
to do is is, you know, is guard the long
term interests of the game. We think that's still is important.
We've had that discussion as a board where that policy
is still an important one for us, and so that's that's,
you know, why we continue to apply that. It's a
really it's really important development pathway for us.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
It's almost identical, isn't it a using rugby stance on
selecting all blacks players from only those playing in super rugby.
They're obviously, you know, having ongoing discussions and they're sticking
fast to their rules at the moment. Can you ever
see your rules being relaxed, you know, even even a
little bit.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
I think it depends a little bit on what the
what the domestic league looks like. So you know that
that's that's not something we're thinking about doing at the moment.
But I think you you know, these things you always
keep under a view. What you're trying to do is
is create the strongest pathway you can for your for
your for our New Zealand players, for the domestic domestic
pathway to to develop great silver ferns and create will
(04:40):
winning CIVI fun teams.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
What's your sense on whether other players might follow suit
now that Grace has taken the sleep.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Ah, you know, look, we just have to We'll just
have to wait and see. The teams are going through
their contracting in the moment. I think most of the
some COTS Super Netball teams have announced they're they're players now,
that's that's sort of going through that process. And our
our Premiership teams are in the middle of their contracting
and our continuing to lease announcements about who's been signed
(05:08):
and who's moved you know where and what have you.
So so not at present, but you know, we'll see.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
And you consider the black dress still to be a
strong enough, strong enough reason for players to stay or
to as Grace has go and come back for Pinnacle events.
You don't suspect that there might be And I'll use
rugby as as a comparison again, players who just go
off shore to play chase maybe slightly bit of money
in Australia or maybe over in the in the Northern
(05:36):
Hemisphere and therefore make themselves unavailable for New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Well, it was it was very clear from the discussions
with Grace that the Black Dress is very important to
her and she's got a very strong commitment to that.
So that that's the sort of the one data point
we've got at the moment on that I think, and
so that's what and that's reflected and who decision to
sign for the one year to do it at this
time which is out of cycle if you like, in
terms of those Pinnacle events and express that very strong commitment.
(06:05):
So I think at the moment that Black Dress is
a very strong is a very strong attraction and motivated
for our top netboards.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
And I guess it opens an opportunity for somebody else
to step under the shooting circle, doesn't it. How do
you assess the strength of those who are or will
be next year in charge of filling those rather large
shoes of hers.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Oh yeah, I think it absolutely does give that opportunity
so someone else gets a bit of exposure at the
top level and more time with the with the coaches.
And I look forward to that because I think that's
that's the opportunity that in a way grace is provided
by providing that space, and we looked forward to seeing that.
We've we've seen, you know, we every year you see
you see people plat top players continue to develop and
(06:48):
grow and we look forward to that happening next year
as well.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Good Man, Matt, thanks for taking the time for a chat.
Really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
No chairs, no thank you mate.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
That's Matt Winerry. He's the chair of the board of Netborn,
New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
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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