Latest news with #GraceNweke
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Netball still under pressure in spite of TV deal
Silver Fern Grace Nweke. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport New Zealanders will be able to watch the 2026 Netball Premiership live and free-to-air for the first time in 18 years, but there are many unanswered questions over the TVNZ deal. Tension over the lack of a broadcast deal for the 2026 netball season saw worried players, unusually, speak out about their nerves over next year's season. This week the announcement finally came - Netball New Zealand was splitting with Sky to ink a new arrangement with TVNZ, one that will go back to an era we haven't seen for 18 years - exclusive, live, free-to-air games that everyone can watch. Fans celebrated, but underneath the headline announcement there are a lot of questions that aren't being answered. Financial questions. Such as, will the players have to take a pay cut? Did TVNZ even pay for the broadcast rights, given Sky had them backed into a corner then cut the sport adrift? Will there be a mass exodus to the Australian and UK competitions, given they (controversially) don't have restrictions on player imports? Today on The Detail , two of the country's premier sports writers, Locker Room founder Suzanne McFadden and RNZ sports correspondent Dana Johannsen, discuss the issues still facing netball. Netball New Zealand isn't discussing financial details, but we know it has a slush fund from former rights packages of more than $11 million that it could use for player salaries. "It may be that they take a punch to the stomach this coming season, and I guess they're hoping that they get more sponsorship deals because it's going out to more eyeballs," said McFadden. As far as TVNZ is concerned, "what they get out of it will probably be huge for them," she said. "I imagine that netball will now probably be TVNZ's number one sport as far as coverage goes." "It's still the largest sport in New Zealand, the largest sport played in secondary schools, so making it have a broader reach is a great thing." And TVNZ won't have to outlay a lot of resources - Netball New Zealand will be putting money towards the production of the coverage. It used outside contractors this past season to provide TV their one game a weekend that was broadcast. "We don't know if TVNZ has actually put any money into this agreement," said McFadden. "Netball New Zealand has stressed that they will have to look at other avenues to pay the players, so that's going to be looking for more sponsors, going to the government, to Sport New Zealand for money, and dipping into those reserves." Pay negotiations have been carrying on this week, "but I do think there will be a cut," she says. "Which kind of opens up this whole can of worms ... how many of our players will now go to play in Australia or England?" Last week Netball New Zealand announced the exemption criteria for players going overseas would be relaxed, meaning players such as star shooter Grace Nweke could stay with the Swifts in Australian Super Netball and still play for the Silver Ferns. Previously, Kiwi athletes had to meet a 100-Test cap threshold before they could be eligible to play in an international competition. McFadden thinks more players will head across the Tasman or to England. "I don't think there'll be a grand exodus because first of all those two major leagues don't have room just to fill up their teams with Kiwis." Johannsen said Australia is paying the price internationally for its policy of taking all-comers, with foreigners coming in at key positions and leaving skill shortages when it comes to the Diamonds. "It's really interesting to see but there's no push to change that [rule]," she said. "I don't think you'll see as much as a full Silver Ferns starting lineup all based over there, but I think maybe four or five players could pick up contracts. "If I was a young player, even on the fringe of the Silver Ferns, but wanting a bit of an OE, that's a really great option." Check out how to listen to and fol low The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
The Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Stumble in Super Netball semi-final could be making of Swifts star Grace Nweke
Star goaler Helen Housby believes the Swifts' shambolic semi-final stumble against West Coast Fever last week could be the making of Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke. The Swifts went down 77-45 in a shellacking in Perth, with Nweke, the club's star recruit this season, finishing with 23 goals, three offensive penalties and six general play turnovers as the Fever put a blow torch on the Kiwi ace. It was the lowest tally for the 23-year-old this season but Housby expects her goaling partner to bounce back and in fact, grow from the experience. While Housby - who said she would still back Nweke 'till the day I die' - was not about to sugar coat the Swifts' performance, she said both she and Nweke had to find the humour in the game to take the pain out of the result and be able to move on to the grand final qualifier against the Melbourne Vixens on Sunday. 'Both of us are incredibly competitive and hate losing in any form, never mind like that, so you kind of do have to laugh at it a little bit because it does take the sting out,' Housby said. 'For Grace, I always forget how young she is and she actually doesn't have as much experience as everybody thinks she does - and especially I thought she did. 'I've had so many games where I either haven't played well at all or we've had a devastating loss for whichever team I'm part of, and that's absolutely shaped who I am as a player and it's shaped my career and it's made me more resilient and it's made me a better player and better able to deal with those moments. 'So I personally think this is just going to be one of those moments for her and she'll probably look back on it in five or 10 years and say - 'Do you know what, that made me a better player'.' If their 2019 campaign is any indication that could come as quickly as this weekend. Housby sees plenty of parallels between the 2019 Swifts - who suffered a significant loss to Sunshine Coast Lightning in the major semi-final before winning their preliminary as underdogs and taking their revenge on the Lightning in the decider. 'It absolutely feels like a bit of deja vu,' Housby said, not just of the result but the way the team had responded. '(The loss) definitely felt the same way that this game feels because we were so confident going into it and we had nothing to lose and then we came back to Sydney licking our wounds a little bit the same as we've done this time around. 'We actually we played the Vixens in that prelim as well and we had one of our best performances of the year. 'It definitely does feel very similar and I feel like the way that we've banded together this week also feels similar to how we did it in 2019, so I'm hoping that history will repeat itself.' Certainly Housby, who has played much more of a feeder role than in previous seasons given Nweke's dominance in the one-on-one contest in the circle, is not about to abandon her shooting partner. 'I'm still super proud of her. I'll back her in till the day I die, I think she's incredible,' she said. 'And I don't think one bad game defines a player. 'She certainly was not the only one who didn't have her best game. I don't think anyone on the court at the weekend for the Swifts would be happy with their performance.' And beware the wounded warriors. Housby is an athlete who wants the ball in her hand in the crucial moment - one unafraid to take on the big plays in the big games. And she believes Nweke is the same. 'I'm excited to see what she does this weekend, because I think there's a bit of vengeance in her mind - as there is in mine,' she said. Netball Super Netball's eliminated teams must confront harsh truths about their failed campaigns. But there is a road back to the top. We assess what's next for the six teams to miss the grand final. Netball From big-name recruits and runaway premiership favourites at the start of the year to a crushing prelim-final defeat, things turned very ugly for the Swifts. So how did it all fall apart?
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio to take a break from internationals
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio Photo: Marty Melville / PHOTOSPORT Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio has made herself unavailable for this year's internationals. "I need this break-for my mind, body, and spirit," Ekenasio said in a statement. Ekenasio has taken time out before, including missing the Nations Cup in 2023. Since making her debut in 2014, 34-year-old Ekenasio has worn the black dress 79 times, playing a key role in New Zealand's 2019 Netball World Cup triumph and captaining the team to victory in the 2021 and 2024 Constellation Cup series, along with multiple Taini Jamison Trophy wins. She was named Silver Ferns captain in 2021 and returned to the role after the birth of her second child. Ekenasio said her decision wasn't easy. "It's been an amazing journey, but now it's time to listen to what I need personally and take space to reset." Coach Dame Noeline Taurua will be hoping the new player eligibility ruling will see Grace Nweke available for selection , otherwise she would be without two key players in the attacking circle. Silver Ferns players Grace Nweke and Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Photo: Aaron Gillions / However, Dame Noeline acknowledges Ekenasio's decision. "I've always supported athletes in making decisions that are right for them and I fully respect Ameliaranne's choice to step away from the international stage at this time," she said. "As a mother and wife, supporting a growing family, alongside the demands of being a high-performance athlete and carrying significant leadership responsibilities, the load can be immense. "I personally understand that sometimes being everything to everyone simply isn't sustainable". Taurua said Ekenasio would be missed this year, but looks forward to welcoming Ameliaranne back when she is ready. The Silver Ferns play a series against South Africa in September, before the Constellation Cup series with Australia in October. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Nweke in line for NZ selection after eligibility change
Grace Nweke. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Grace Nweke could be in line to play for the Silver Ferns this year after Netball New Zealand changed its eligibility criteria. The NNZ board announced yesterday it had reviewed its international selection policy and updated its eligibility criteria, allowing more flexibility for athletes who wanted to play domestically overseas. Athletes who are playing abroad can now be considered for Silver Ferns selection through a formal exemption process, which will be implemented before the upcoming international season against South Africa and Australia. It would have clear guidelines and assessment measures for any future exemption applications, NNZ said in a statement. Chairman Matt Whineray said the board recognised the need for a more flexible and responsive approach. "We've listened to the game and believe this is a positive step forward,' Whineray said. "This update strikes a balance between flexibility and fairness, acknowledging the increasingly global nature of netball while continuing to protect the integrity of our domestic competitions and the mana of the Silver Ferns." Nweke was initially denied the right to represent the Silver Ferns this season after opting to ply her trade in Australia with the New South Wales Swifts. Nweke, who has earned 38 caps, has held the goal shoot bib since debuting in 2021. It should be news that pleases fans, as the Silver Ferns could have been without two shooters for the South Africa series. Amelia Walmsley has committed to the Netball World Youth Cup programme in September. Chief executive Jennie Wyllie said the change ensured players were supported through clear and transparent decision-making. "Ultimately, the purpose of this proposed process is to ensure that all exemption requests are evaluated fairly, consistently, and transparently,' Wyllie said. "It safeguards the athlete through a structured and transparent approach, while upholding the broader interests of Netball New Zealand, the Silver Ferns, and the ANZ Premiership competition." NNZ also confirmed the ANZ Premiership will go ahead with all six teams and remain at 10 rounds for the 2026 season. It will be played in a similar timeframe due to the Commonwealth Games in late July next year.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Several Silver Ferns likely to test new eligibility policy
The Silver Ferns beat Australia in October's Constellation Cup. Photo: Marty Melville Analysis - Top Silver Ferns will be keen to test Netball New Zealand's new eligibility framework , with at least half a dozen likely being chased by coaches in Australia's netball league. The Netball New Zealand Board has updated its Silver Ferns' eligibility criteria, paving the way for greater flexibility for athletes who wish to play overseas. Pressure has been mounting on the national body to relax its rules after shooter Grace Nweke decided to compete in the Australian league , which ruled her out of playing for the Silver Ferns this year. But athletes will now be considered for Silver Ferns' selection through a formal exemption process under revised criteria, which appear to be open to interpretation. There are no guarantees that Nweke will get an exemption to play for the Silver Ferns later this year when they meet South Africa and Australian in separate test series. But Netball New Zealand Board chair Matt Whineray said a holistic approach will be taken when considering each case. It would not be surprising if Silver Ferns Kate Heffernan, Maddy Gordon, Kelly Jackson, and Karin Burger are being pursued, as well as captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Maddy Gordon. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The Queensland Firebirds, who are coached by New Zealander Kiri Wills, finished with the wooden spoon in this year's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition. Wills will be eager to make some big recruitment moves in the next few weeks. Whineray said it had taken the board some time to review the policy as it worked through "different interests across the system", including the thoughts of the Silver Ferns' coach. The old policy was designed to encourage the country's top netballers to play in the New Zealand domestic league, so it remained strong. "What we are trying to do is balance a bunch of interests here so how do we maintain the integrity of that domestic competition, how do we respond to the aspirations and development desires of our Silver Ferns and how do we think about putting the best Silver Ferns team out on the court, so it's a culmination of all those things that we are looking to balance," Whineray said The increasingly global landscape in elite netball also factored into the decision. The Australian league attracts some of the best players in the world. England's Super League is also going from strength to strength. "This recognises that global competition for talent and that's what you see is driving some of those interested players to play in these other competitions." Australia's SSN competition pays the best. Currently the highest paid Silver Ferns can earn around $136,000, which also includes their ANZ Premiership retainer. If you take away the ANZ Premiership component then the optimum earnings for the highest paid Silver Ferns is in the vicinity of $70,000. RNZ understands that international defenders can earn around NZ$120,000 in the SSN, while midcourters are signed for about $100,000. If players are given exemptions, overall they would be better off financially once they received an SSN and Silver Ferns retainer, where they could make as much as $190,000 per year. In terms of any specific criteria, Whineray said number of Test caps won't come into it. "No there isn't and there hasn't been in the past, I know that was the narrative that it was 100, that just happened to be the number of Tests previous players who had received exemptions, had played. "What this criteria does is allow us to make sure the players fully understand the decisions they are making, it allows us to have the conversations with them in terms of their growth and development and their existing Silver Ferns' development plans. "It allows us to consider the needs of that high performance system and then thinks about how we think about the strong and sustainable domestic competition. So we've got all of those in the mix and the balance of those so it's a broader range of criteria - before there were none, there were no explicit considerations and now we've got them." Talented goal keep Kelly Jackson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Whineray said the process for applying for an exemption will be handled quickly so players can make decisions about where they will play next year, with the season about to wrap. "We'll be very responsive with this process, we need this process to happen in a way which enables contracting to happen so our approach is to be quick in response to any of the players and we will start having those discussions and then we will consider them as a board." Silver Ferns' coach Dame Noeline Taurua has supported Nweke's decision to play in Australia in an effort to improve her game. Dame Noeline has spoken about the need for New Zealand's top players to get more international exposure if they want to be competitive. Netball New Zealand is still working on signing off on a broadcast deal for the 2026 domestic competition. There is a risk players will have to take pay cuts if the national body can't get a deal similar to previous years. But Whineray said that was not a factor in relaxing the eligibility rules. "It isn't a factor in this, this has been under consideration for a little bit longer but what I can say in relation to the ANZ Premiership next year is that that will be going ahead, we have the balance sheet capacity to make that happen so that's what we are planning to do." Grace Nweke joined the Swifts this year in Australia. Photo: Jason McCawley / Getty Images Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
