Silver Ferns stars in limbo as private ownership deal collapses
It may have been a year to remember for the Silver Ferns, but a number of their stars are without club contracts for 2027 after Netball New Zealand (NNZ) rejected a proposal to have the domestic league privately run.
NNZ were in talks with Kiwi investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams, who are co-owners of A-League club Auckland FC, to keep the domestic competition alive, inking a term sheet with the duo two months ago.
The Silver Ferns won gold at the Commonwealth Games then beat Australia to win the Constellation Cup. Getty Images
Those negotiations have since fallen apart with NNZ confirming on Friday that “despite considerable efforts from both parties” a deal could not be reached.
NNZ acknowledged the failed agreement would be “unsettling” for staff and players, but the organisation did not provide any further details on the matter.
Mowbray revealed in a statement to RNZ she and Williams were informed of NNZ’s decision via an email on Thursday, which left the pair “devastated”.
“Ali and I gave this everything. We did it because we’ve seen what a team can do for a community,” Mowbray said in the statement.
“This was our chance to do that for netball, for women’s sport, at a scale this country has never seen. Yesterday that ended with an email. No reason. No call.”
The decision is yet another hurdle in what has been a chaotic 12 months for New Zealand Netball, with internal sagas and domestic league issues clouding the achievements of the Silver Ferns, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games.
It remains unknown if NNZ has an alternative lifeline to keep the domestic competition alive in 2027 or how players will now obtain professional pathways elsewhere, given Australia and England’s domestic rosters are full.
Of the 18 players called into camp as part of New Zealand’s winning Constellation Cup team, six are without contracts next yet, including Martina Salmon, Peta Toeava and Parris Mason.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua will therefore have limited options to look to in top flight leagues if the domestic competition does not get up and running.
No current Silver Ferns player has publicly commented on the uncertainty around the domestic league.
But a former Silver Fern, Maia Wilson - who took a break from international netball in 2025 - feels her chance to finish her career on her terms has now been stolen.
“I wasn’t ready to give up the game. I don’t know what this means for my career,” Wilson, who has 52 Test caps with the Silver Ferns, said on Sport Nation NZ.
“As an athlete, if you are going to go out, you want to go out on your own terms. Regardless of what happens, I hope that hasn’t been taken out of my own hands.
“There is such a market for netball in this country. (The Silver Ferns are) the pioneers of the game and women’s sport in this country.
“I don’t know if there is a future for us right now ... it has hit a nerve.”
Maia Wilson (R) is challenged by Courtney Bruce of Australia. Kai Schwoerer
While many players and coaches wait to see if they will have a job next year, others were quick to jump over to the Suncorp Super Netball in Australia when it first became known the league was in limbo. The 2027 season will see a total of 13 Kiwis play in Australia, 10 of whom were in the starting squad for the Silver Ferns over the past two major tournaments.
Five Kiwi players have also landed deals in the UK, including Aliyah Dunn.
The Silver Ferns are scheduled for one more Test series against their men’s team next month in what is currently their last time together before the World Cup.
