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Live sport on SN this weekendNetball NZ’s private league plan collapses, leaving 2027 in doubt
Sport Nation • October 30th, 2026 10:28 am
Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Concerns and confusion around the future of domestic netball in New Zealand have deepened, with Maia Wilson describing the collapse of Netball NZ’s proposed private league as “extremely, extremely sad”.
Netball NZ today confirmed it had been unable to reach an agreement with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams, despite “considerable efforts by both parties”.
Reacting live on Sport Nation, the former Silver Fern was visibly emotional as she spoke about what the news could mean for her career and the game’s future.
“I feel like we have no certainty what’s going to happen at the domestic level,” Wilson said.
“For me personally, I am going to be quite selfish here, I wasn’t ready to give up the game and I don’t know what this means for my career.”
Wilson said athletes should be able to decide when their playing careers end.
“If you’re gonna go out, you wanna go out on your own terms,” she said.
“I hope that hasn’t been taken out of my own hands.”
Maia Wilson's passionate plea for the future of netball in New Zealand | Millsy & Guy
The board said communications between the parties were confidential and acknowledged the news would be unsettling for players and support staff.
The proposed deal had been selected as Netball NZ’s preferred path towards a privately run elite competition from 2027. Its collapse leaves the future of next season’s domestic league uncertain, with many leading New Zealand players already signed to play overseas.
Wilson said the impact stretched well beyond the current playing group, raising questions about the pathway for children coming through the sport.
“There’s such a market for netball in this country,” she said.
"It’s been at the forefront, and the pioneers of the game have made a name for women’s sport in this country.”
She described netball as a force that connects people, recalling how the sport had shaped her friendships and career.
“I hope you can hear the emotion in my words because, yeah, it’s hit a nerve,” Wilson said.
