Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke will be joined in Australia by Kate Heffernan, Karin Burger, Maddy Gordon and Kelly Jackson, alongside former Silver Ferns Jane Watson, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Whitney Souness for the 2026 season.
It is not the first time Silver Ferns have played in Australia, but it is the first time a significant number will have plied their trade there in one season.
Laura Langman, Maria Folau, Cathrine Tuivaiti and Leana de Bruin previously played across the Ditch, and Katrina Grant, Kimiora Poi and Casey Kopua were replacement players.
Former Silver Ferns player and coach Lois Muir believes it is an exciting opportunity that will lead to benefits for netball in New Zealand.
"We are so fortunate some of our top talent has been given the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow their game in the top Australian netball league," Muir said.
"These high-standard players ... have made the decision to play in Australia for their own development, but this experience would be outstanding as, on retiring from playing, they will be experienced to go into coaching netball at the high level in New Zealand."
Sport was similar to business and things could not remain the same to stay at the top.
Netballers loved a challenge — "the opportunity to grow the game is outstanding" — and players being able to test themselves at a higher level was crucial.
Winning Netball World Cups and Commonwealth Games titles through the years showed there were talented players in New Zealand, Muir said.
"New Zealand has shown over many years our players have played and punched above their weight.
"It has never worried us about the population numbers to compare with other countries — we have just got on and done the job."
While the crop leaving were experienced, it opened the door for fresh talent to test themselves.
Muir said franchise coaches would be challenged to grow the promising players.
They needed court time and to be put under pressure, and seeing their confidence flourish was important for the future.
It would be disappointing if teams opted to plug any gaps with past players and miss out on a chance to develop the game further, she said.
"I know as a spectator I want to see the new talent grow and take on the world in not too many years, as all netball fans and supporters want to see this happen.
"It’s going to be fun to see them grow."
Many future franchise players are in Dunedin this week playing for the 80 teams in the South Island secondary schools tournament at the Edgar Centre.
