Netball Australia confirms new eight-team division and bumper broadcasting deal

Australia's five existing netball franchises will be joined by three new teams in an all-Aussie league.
Collingwood, the Melbourne Storm and Greater Western Sydney have been confirmed as the new preferred bidders for brand new franchises in Australia's revamped netball competition.

Key points:
•Australia and New Zealand to part ways from trans-Tasman competition
•Three new teams backed by Storm, Collingwood and GWS
•Five-year TV deal will see two games a week broadcast live

Netball Australia has announced a "breakthrough broadcasting deal" and three new teams to enter the new national netball league, as Australia's five current trans-Tasman franchises team up with three new teams to create a new eight-team all-Australian division.

The Melbourne Storm's licensed team will be based at their Sunshine Coast facilities in south-east Queensland, while the GWS Giants have allied with Netball NSW in their bid for a Sydney team. Collingwood's licensed team will be based in Melbourne.

The three new teams will be joined by the NSW Swifts, Melbourne Vixens, Queensland Firebirds, Adelaide Thunderbirds and the West Coast Fever.

It confirms the breakaway from New Zealand and the existing trans-Tasman arrangement, with both Australia and New Zealand's organisations agreeing to go their separate ways.

The five-year broadcasting deal with the Nine Network and Telstra will ensure live free-to-air TV coverage of two games a week for the 2017 season.

"It's time for our sport to take another leap forward, to challenge the norm, to be innovative and to take more risks," Netball Australia's chief executive Kate Palmer said at a media gathering.


"This allows more girls to be out on court ... as a result, we'll see a stronger Australian Diamonds side," Queensland Firebirds star Laura Geitz said.

"[We can now see] these wonderful women playing, this wonderful game, and know that they too can grow up and head down the path of being a professional athlete.

"I hope that we continue to encourage that message across to all of our participants coming through grass roots."

In a statement, Palmer said the broadcasting deal would provide improved pay for players, and better sponsorship and cash distribution for clubs.

"It is truly transformative. It lays the foundation for the full professionalisation of elite netball and the cementing of Australia's reputation as having the prime netball competition in the world," she said.

"At the grass roots, it will encourage participation and allow girls and young women to realise their dream of a career in netball."