Former All Black Ali Williams and his wife, businesswoman Anna Mowbray, are leading a bid to establish a new franchise netball league in 2028, RNZ can reveal.
By Dana Johannsen of RNZ
As reported by RNZ last week, Netball New Zealand is exploring a private ownership model for the ANZ Premiership, as one of several options being considered as it battles to secure the long-term future of the game.
It is understood the national body is in talks with at least one private investor about a proposal to take over the licence to run the ANZ Premiership, in a move that could fundamentally change the way the country's top domestic netball competition is funded and operated.
With the parties understood to have signed non-disclosure agreements while each side carries out its due diligence, details of the proposal remain closely guarded.
However, multiple sources close to the discussions have confirmed to RNZ the project is driven by Williams and Mowbray, who are looking to expand their sports investment portfolio.
The couple are among a group of high-profile investors in A-League club Auckland FC, which has achieved extraordinary success both on and off the field in its first two seasons in the competition.
It is understood Williams and Mowbray want to bring elements of Auckland FC's approach to commercial and fan engagement to netball.
According to a source who asked not to be identified as talks are at a "delicate" stage, the proposal would see the competition run independently of Netball NZ, with private ownership taking responsibility for the commercial and operational arrangements.
Williams, a 77-test All Black, is said to be leading a lot of the behind-the-scenes work to sound out potential private investors, including key figures from other sports franchises. It is understood he has enlisted the help of several prominent figures from New Zealand netball, including former Silver Ferns Anna Stanley and Adine Wilson.
Despite the ANZ Premiership operating at a deficit of $3.7 million last season, Williams is said to be "bullish" about his prospects of attracting private and commercial partners, and convincing broadcasters to invest.
Williams did not respond to requests for comment.
Netball NZ did not address direct questions about the nature of discussions with private investors, instead issuing a broad-strokes statement.
"Netball NZ is exploring a number of options for the future of the domestic competition for 2027 and beyond," the statement read.
"We are currently in confidential discussions with the [New Zealand Netball Players' Association] and the Zones, and we're not in a position to say any more at this stage."
However, addressing concerns about the future of the domestic competition last month, Netball NZ chair Alastair Carruthers acknowledged private investment was "an area the board is very interested in".
"It's not an obvious possibility for 2027, but I think all forms of investment into our league has to be looked at," he said.
The national body will on Wednesday welcome new chief executive Jennah Wootten, who is expected to front media later this week.
A sport at a crossroads
Netball New Zealand chairperson Alastair Carruthers told Breakfast “it was difficult to sustain these types of losses" after posting a $3.7 million loss. (Source: Breakfast)
The talks with private investors come amid increasing concern over the future of the domestic game.
Without a broadcast deal in place for 2027, the national body is yet to commit to running a competition next season. Carruthers last month revealed Netball NZ is facing losses of up to $6 million for the financial year.
The financial strain has fuelled questions over whether the current model is sustainable, with some inside the game increasingly viewing private ownership as the only viable way forward.
But with the privately-backed proposal understood to target a 2028 launch, it leaves New Zealand's top players in limbo over whether they will have a professional contract next year.
Given the ongoing uncertainty the players are facing, Netball NZ last month scrapped the final restrictions preventing Silver Ferns and other leading players from pursuing contracts in Australia and the UK, removing the requirement for athletes to receive a dispensation from Netball NZ before signing with overseas clubs.
One high-profile netball identity told RNZ that Netball NZ was treating next season as a "bridging year" while it works towards a new competition model in 2028.
The source said options under consideration for next season included pausing the ANZ Premiership for a season or reverting to an amateur competition.
But the source warned either option risked accelerating the exodus of New Zealand's best players overseas, leaving little foundation on which to relaunch a professional competition in 2028.
Not 'dreamed up overnight'
Privatisation is an avenue that has been explored by Netball NZ for some time.
It is understood the origins of Williams and Mowbray's involvement dates back to last year, when the couple was first approached by Netball NZ while former chief executive Jennie Wyllie was still at the helm.
RNZ has learned the approach followed a research project commissioned by the previous board to examine options for improving the sustainability of the elite domestic competition, which has in recent years been operating largely on a year-to-year basis rather than under a long-term commercial model.
"This is not a scheme that's been dreamed up overnight," one netball insider told RNZ.
"It's something Netball NZ has been looking into for a long time, but the change of CEO and the board has complicated matters. We've had fresh sets of eyes come in and examine everything - and rightly so."
The original work was undertaken by former cricket and hockey administrator Anthony Crummy, and examined a range of possible league structures, including the ownership and licensing arrangements for teams.
According to the source, the work was later "sharpened" by Australian sports industry expert Shane Mattiske, a former chief executive of the NRL, who now works as a consultant specialising in commercialisation, sponsorship, and media rights.
The model Netball NZ ultimately landed on was for the organisation to sell the licence to run the league, with private investors taking responsibility for its commercial and operational affairs.
The original ambition was to have the new structure in place for the 2027 season, but the process was disrupted by a period of upheaval at Netball NZ.
Wyllie left the organisation late last year in the fallout from the drawn-out employment dispute with Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. Four members of the Netball NZ board also subsequently resigned.
The leadership changes effectively stalled the work on a new league, with the new board and executive team inheriting a process already under way while also developing their own priorities for the organisation.
As a result, any new competition is now being pitched for a 2028 launch.
It remains unclear how committed the current Netball NZ leadership is to the private-ownership model pursued by its predecessors.
The plan would also need the support of the New Zealand Netball Players' Association (NZNPA), which is currently in collective bargaining with the national body.
NZNPA boss Pippa Moore said she was unable to discuss specific plans on the table, but in principle the organisation is open to the idea of privatisation.
"We are open to considering all credible options, including private investment, that can better unlock netball's commercial value," Moore said in a statement.
"Any future model must provide a strong domestic competition, meaningful professional opportunities for New Zealand players, and a clear pathway that ensures future generations can aspire to play at the highest level."
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