Latest news with #SuncorpSuperNetball
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hannah Hollis' shock career move: Popular Aussie TV presenter announces sudden departure from Fox Sports after 10 years
Hannah Hollis has revealed her shock new career move, announcing she is stepping away from her presenter role at Fox Sports. The Aussie TV presenter, who has been working for the sports broadcaster for 10 years, will continue fronting lifestyle show Luxury Escapes, which is currently being produced by Foxtel. The 36-year-old's final broadcast will be on Sunday as she covers the Suncorp Super Netball. This won't be Hannah's first time on Luxury Escapes. She has already featured on the second season of the popular travel show. The program, which first aired in 2016, gives viewers a glimpse into some of the best holiday experiences across the globe, as well as our very own backyard. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Hannah opened up to about the career move after having just returned from a luxury escape in the US. 'I've been to some of the most beautiful places around the world experiencing wild indulgence, adventure, food, art and culture all steeped in local tradition,' she said. 'It's a joy to share stories like this.' Despite the complete 180 from sport to travel, Hannah assured her fans she wasn't turning her back on her passion for the field, but instead hoped to blend the two in the future. 'My time with Fox Sports and Foxtel — and the opportunities I've enjoyed over the past decade — have further fuelled my ambition,' she said. She added that it felt like the perfect time to step out of her comfort zone and explore broader possibilities within the media landscape. It comes after a new shot was fired by Fox Sports in the broadcaster's increasingly bitter footy war with Channel Seven. This year, Fox is the only way footy fans across most of Australia can watch games on a Saturday for large parts of the season due to a change in the league's broadcasting agreement. It's a move that has infuriated footy fans and left a big dent in Seven's coverage, which has been bolstered by its huge investment in AFL panel shows with the likes of Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson. This is also the first year viewers have had the option of watching every game on Fox, with the pay TV giant's commentators covering every match, with ratings jumping by a huge amount as a result. Seven star Brian Taylor has been taking pot shots at Fox by reminding fans that they don't always send their commentary crews to matches and instead have them cover the games from the studio, whereas he and his colleagues are always at the ground. Fox recently hit back by launching an ad showing a Taylor lookalike banging on the door of a pub when he couldn't get inside to watch footy on a Saturday. That has crossed a line with Seven, with a staffer at the broadcaster hitting the commercial with the 'disrespectful' tag, according to The Age.
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- 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.
RNZ News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Netball: Kiri Wills gets coaching contract extension in Australian league
Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills watches on during a warm up. Photo: Mark Kolbe Photography / Getty Images The Queensland Firebirds have extended Kiri Wills' contract through to the end of the 2027 Australian domestic competition, building on the New Zealand coach's original two-year term. Wills, who joined the Firebirds at the end of last year, became just the second New Zealand head coach in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition, when she was appointed on a two-year deal. Current Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua was the first Kiwi to coach in the most competitive league in the world. Dame Noeline coached the Sunshine Coast Lightning for three years, leading them to two titles in 2017 and 2018. After seven seasons as head coach of the Stars in the ANZ Premiership, Wills felt she had reached a ceiling in New Zealand. Her first season has been challenging, with the Firebirds sitting at the bottom of the 2025 ladder with four rounds left. The 2.01m tall Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok was a prized signing for the club but has taken a while to adapt in her first season in the league. The club said the decision to extend Wills' contract underscored the club's commitment to fostering stability and sustaining the transformative systems Wills had implemented since her appointment. Wills came in after a tumultuous 2024 season for the Firebirds on and off the court. The Firebirds let go of its coach mid-campaign, amid reports of player unrest. Netball Australia launched an investigation into the Queensland Firebirds after Remi Kamo, who now ironically plays for the Stars, complained that there was a toxic culture at the club. In March this year the national body said an independent investigator concluded that there were no breaches of the Netball Australia code of conduct and member protection policy by Netball Queensland and its management. The club said foundational progress was critical to long-term success. "Kiri has instilled structures and an environment that aligns with our vision for sustained excellence," Netball Queensland chief executive Kate Davies said. "We recognize that meaningful change requires time, and this extension ensures continuity as we accelerate toward our goals. Kiri's approach has redefined our identity. This decision is a vote of trust in her strategy and our collective future." Acknowledging on-court results haven't been what she would have wanted, Wills firmly believes that the team is progressing on her ambitions of returning to the top of the SSN in years ahead. "We're not happy with where we sit on the table, but we've laid a strong foundation," Wills said. "Our staff and players are fully invested in this vision, and we're determined to finish 2025 with pride - particularly in our final three home games." The decision to extend Wills' tenure has been welcomed by Firebirds leaders Hulita Veve and Ruby Bakewell-Doran, who praised Wills' impact on the team's culture. "Kiri has brought so much confidence into this group. She's had our back since the day she arrived," co-captain Veve said. "Kiri's knowledge of the game is outstanding and she knows netball back to front but my favourite thing about her is the way she's brought us together off the court. That connection piece is something she thrives on. Bakewell-Doran said Wills impact on the club in the past six months had been significant. "I can't wait to see what she's able to create with more time under her belt. Her vision, passion and wisdom is next to none and I feel honoured to have her leading us," Bakewell-Doran said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Super-shooter's 71 goals as Fever end Swifts' streak
The great Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has scored 71 goals as the West Coast Fever ended the NSW Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season with an impressive 79-68 win at Ken Rosewall Arena. In a heavyweight blockbuster between the competition's two best teams, the Fever (7-2) started quickly and finished with a flourish, extending their winning streak to seven and ending the Swifts' eight-game unbeaten run in 2025. Remarkably, NSW have never tasted victory against West Coast at their Sydney home base, a trend that continued on Saturday night. Unbeaten no more. Fever too strong in Sydney 💥 — Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) June 7, 2025 "It's really good," said Fowler-Nembhard, the world's best shooter, who missed just one shot attempt all evening. "I came up against some brilliant defenders. "The Swifts are an incredible team and we couldn't come here and underestimate them." At the other end, NSW shooter Grace Nweke racked up a whopping 13 rebounds to go with 48 goals at a less efficient 80 per cent. After a goal-for-goal opening, the Fever created some separation through Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 21 in the opening stanza to give the visitors a 22-16 buffer at the first change. Fowler-Nembhard's connection in attack with the likes of Alice Teague-Neeld, Jordan Cransberg and Shanice Beckford was a feature. The home side rang in the changes in the second period, particularly in defence, as the contest became scrappier and more physical after opening in clean, clinical fashion. Fowler-Nembhard had 37 by half-time, while Nweke was off-target in the Swifts' attack, hounded relentlessly by Kadie-Ann Dehaney. West Coast held sway 39-32 at the main break before NSW lifted through co-captain Paige Hadley and goal attack Helen Housby. Housby's sixth two-pointer trimmed the margin to three before Fowler-Nembard's second-chance goal put the Fever in front 59-55 with a quarter to play. But the last term belonged emphatically to West Coast, who shot 20-of-20 to the Swifts' 11-of-19 to put the rest of the competition on notice.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Casey Kopua set to take on old foe in netball comeback
Casey Kopua in Giants colours. Photo: Brendon Thorne Former Silver Fern Casey Kopua is set to stay on in the Australian league for the rest of the season and she's looking forward to resuming an old rivalry. Netball fans were left stunned when the Giants announced that Kopua would join the injury-depleted team for last weekend's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) game against the Melbourne Vixens in Sydney. Kopua retired from elite netball six years ago after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool. Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, who coached Kopua for several years at the Magic in the former trans-Tasman competition, sent her an SOS. Once she realised Fitzgerald's text message was not a prank, Kopua couldn't resist the challenge and flew to Sydney in the middle of last week and played a full game on Sunday. The 39-year-old was brought in at the half-way point of the SSN season and is likely to be there for remainder of the competition. "The intent is for the rest of the season we're just going through the process, which I never thought would happen either but yeah that is the intent," Kopua said. This weekend, the Giants are playing the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who are spearheaded by Jamaican goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George. The 36-year-old Aiken-George and Kopua have history - going head to head on on several occasions at international level and during the old trans-Tasman competition. "That goes back in the days again as well so looking forward to that challenge and you just know that it's going to be a battle right from the start and you know you might not get every ball but you'll get one or two that'll make the difference so just have to keep grinding her both mentally and physically so by the end of the game she should be tired, because we both will be," Kopua laughed. Romelda Aiken and Casey Kopua went head to head a lot in the former ANZ Championship. Photo: Bruce Lim / Photosport Kopua was surprised when she was named to start at GK last weekend, given she only had one training session with the team. "To get back out on the court at that level I think I surprised myself and playing a full 60 minutes as well was a bit of a shock but I think for me the top two inches took over and you just got to carry on." The Giants, who are languishing at the bottom of SSN, suffered another loss on Sunday but pushed their opponents for three quarters before the Vixens prevailed 71-61. The former New Zealand captain said she kept fit by doing high-intensity workouts most days at the gym and plays netball once or twice a week in Matamata. Kopua said she hadn't previously considered coming out of retirement but playing in the world's toughest netball league was the one thing missing from her resume. "SSN is something I've never played in and I guess on my netball CV I've played and done and won everything that you can so when this came up it was more like a 'why not, why shouldn't I have a go at it'." Kopua, who played 112 Tests for New Zealand, had noticed the game was faster. "Everyone's got stronger, faster, fitter - the ball moves a lot faster, maybe I've just got slower. I can see things in my mind but the body is not as willing as what it was but I hope the more I'm on the court the better and the faster, even if it's just a little bit each time, it will add up." What has Fitzgerald asked of her? "Obviously, I'm not what I used to be but I'm still looking for those moments ...but rebounds is a big thing for me to get up there and get that extra ball for us but also just sharing my knowledge and experience with the younger ones but also they are teaching me I guess that Aussie style as well." The mother of three said her children were excited that their mum was playing top netball. "My oldest one Maia was as the last World Cup in 2019 and now they get to watch mum on TV ...be a part of it so they are very excited." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
