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."

Collingwood and Carlton were involved with NSL clubs- didn't really work out.

I've wondered this a few times in the past.

On one hand, it might feel a bit traiterous if the AFL owned an A-League franchise. But if they ultimately had the best interests in our sport, and did everything by the book without sabotage, I'd probably be okay with it.

I reckon it could work in Geelong tbh - Geelong FC in the blue and white hoops playing out of Simonds Stadium, shared membership facilities and sponsorship opportunities.

I reckon it could work in Geelong tbh - Geelong FC in the blue and white hoops playing out of Simonds Stadium, shared membership facilities and sponsorship opportunities.

Two of the most irrelevant competitions in world sport uniting as one...seems like a perfect fit.

A-league clubs do have franchise partnerships...it's called the W-league.

Agree, and NPL clubs, and youth teams

Did have some decent players come through, especially Carlton SC. But agreed, as a general rule it was a colossal failure.

Isn't this thread about multi-sport partnerships?

Regarding Geelong. Didn't the cats indicate some form of interest in regards to a Geelong A-League franchise?

Edited by sydneyfc1987: 19/5/2016 12:20:10 PM

The thread is, I was just talking in regards to his comment and I'm really trying to impress him so I wanted to strike up a convo.

If we have multi-sports they should be good ones. I'd pick Boxing, Skateboarding, Handball, Calcio Storico, that snow game with the cross country shooting for starters


Edited by tsf: 19/5/2016 12:27:10 PM

Would be people here be opposed to cross-ownership from clubs of the same code? Eg, Man City + Melb. City?

Would people be frustrated if they had a Liverpool side in Sydney? Or a Chelsea side in Melbourne? Is it a great and reliable investment, or just marketing fluff?

If it didn't work in Newcastle with the long history in both sports, parochial fanbase and the amount crossover then I can't see it ever working.

Don't forget Jai alai!

Two of the most irrelevant competitions in world sport uniting as one...seems like a perfect fit.

A-league clubs do have franchise partnerships...it's called the W-league.

If it didn't work in Newcastle with the long history in both sports, parochial fanbase and the amount crossover then I can't see it ever working.

This Netball announcement will help to get the new teams off the ground but I can't see the football clubs still running these teams in 5-10 years time.

Wonder if this is Collingwood, GWS and Melbourne's thinking that the AFL womens league isn't going to get off the ground?