But does that make the mass exodus of netball players leaving our shores for greener pastures any less alarming?
Eight players are heading to Australia to test themselves in Suncorp Super Netball, described as the world’s best netball league.
Grace Nweke has re-signed with the New South Walkes Swifts after a standout 2025, after which she was named their MVP, and took her game to new heights.
Silver Ferns defender Kelly Jackson, midcourter Maddy Gordon and former shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit have signed with the Queensland Firebirds, Kate Heffernan leaves the Southern Steel for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Karin Burger joins the Sunshine Coast Lightning, and veteran defender Jane Watson will join the Giants, alongside midcourter Whitney Souness.
Five of those players required Netball New Zealand exemptions as current Silver Ferns — and another Kiwi is rumoured to be heading to the United Kingdom.
That is a starting team and a couple of reserves, if anyone is keeping count.
As a netball fan, my first thought is: how great it will be to see our top talent tested. But the undercurrent shows what a precarious position the sport is in in New Zealand.
It is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
NNZ had to tweak its eligibility criteria to allow Silver Ferns to play domestically overseas. Otherwise, it risked losing elite players without having them for international duties.
That was evident when Laura Langman was forced to walk away from the black dress nearly 10 years ago and one assumes NNZ learnt from that, which is why its hand has been forced now.
You cannot blame the players.
They deserve to be paid accordingly — and NNZ provided no financial security through the ANZ Premiership season as they explored a 2026 broadcast deal — and it is hard to turn down $120,000, which is believed to be what some imports can make in Australia.
That is a big difference from $60,000, which top-tier players reportedly make in the ANZ Premiership — though that could be slashed back with a reduced broadcast deal in 2026.
Gordon said the uncertainty around the ANZ Premiership was frustrating and sad for netball in New Zealand and it has undoubtedly played its part in players making the choice to leave and protect themselves financially for the future.
Players deserve to test themselves, grow their game and play with, and against, the best in the world — and Nweke’s form is proof of where players can head if given the chance.
Newcomers will play alongside and against Jamaican, Ugandan, English, Australian, South African and Tongan internationals.
The Sunshine Girls have grown exponentially on the world stage from SSN, and you cannot over-estimate how much intel players have on each other when they return to their home nations. New Zealand will benefit from that next year.
While I support players leaving for Australia and will watch with great interest, what does that say about the state of the game in New Zealand?
Is there still a viable pathway? Are we doing enough to keep players here? How many exemptions are NNZ prepared to hand out? Will fans still turn out to watch in 2026? What does that mean for the ANZ Premiership?
There will still be a large chunk of Silver Ferns playing in New Zealand next year, but will more explore their options elsewhere in the future?
Maybe the concern should not be with players heading to Australia, but with those opting for England instead of their home league.
The Vitality Netball League only turned professional this season and has always been viewed behind Australia and New Zealand, but perhaps that is changing. If that league provides financial security, players would be be silly not to explore it.
Something need to change — but does anyone really know what the answer is?
