It's been eight years since the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship and moves to see it return in 2026 are gaining traction.
While the domestic ANZ Premiership is confirmed for next year, what lies beyond is unclear, especially with a new broadcast deal yet to be signed. Under the current arrangement, New Zealand's top talent need to play here in order to wear the black dress.
New Zealand Netball Players Association executive manager Steph Bond said there are different options on the table.
"There's a balance to find here," Bond said.
"We definitely need our players playing against the best. I think that's been made pretty public."
The Silver Ferns last month suffered a series defeat to England but surprised many by beating Australia and winning back the Constellation Cup for the first time since 2021.
Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie sees the benefit of having New Zealand's best playing on this side of the Tasman.
"We've got a group that just beat Australia 3-1," Wyllie said.
"They've all played in ANZ Premiership for a number of years and things are clicking.
"I think we need to be really mindful that the competition we have is bringing through some great personnel. Those are things that our board need to consider and balance out as we go through 2025 and 2026."
But it's becoming harder to keep New Zealand's best in the country. Despite not applying for an exemption, shooter Grace Nweke will play for the New South Wales Swifts next year, making her ineligible for the Silver Ferns.
It's heightened calls for New Zealand teams to join Australia's Suncorp Super Netball, although Wyllie said it's just one option they're considering.
What a combined competition could look like is one thing, but what players want is financial security. That's far from certain with no broadcast deal agreed.
Former Silver Fern Anna Harrison has played in both competitions and knows the financial risk of Kiwi players heading across the Tasman under the current rules.
"As a player, especially a Silver Fern that's deciding to go and play in Australia — and they don't get to play for the Ferns — they're taking a pay cut because they're not getting a Ferns contract," she said.
Bond said players want to play as much netball as they can, but also profit from it.
"We want players to give the sport some priority and to be able to earn a living. There could be different options on the table and I think back into the mix will be whether players can play in Australia."
This would need agreement from Netball Australia and repeated approaches by 1News for comment from the national body were unsuccessful.
Australian commentator Sue Gaudion, however, supports a revived trans-Tasman competition.
"We've got a great tagline for Suncorp Super Netball that it's the world's best league, but in theory we don't always have the world's best players playing in it," Gaudion said.
"Some of those players are sitting across in the land of New Zealand."
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