Two years ago, Netball Australia was in trouble. Now they want to expand Super Netball

3 months ago 18

After falling millions of dollars into debt, battling industrial disputes with players, and watching AFL and NRL powerhouses Collingwood and Melbourne severing their connections to teams, Netball Australia is now looking to expand its Super Netball competition after a stunning turnaround.

NA could expand Super Netball by two teams as early as 2027, with the sport’s governing body recording a third straight operating profit and reducing its debt from $4.2 million to $1.2 million, while Super Netball crowds averaged more than 6000 fans per game this season.

Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever play in front of a capacity grand final crowd at Rod Laver Arena in August.

NA’s strategic direction proposes Super Netball should add two new teams from 2027 at the earliest, and have put the call-out for expressions of interest to gauge potential investors.

Those expressions of interest will then be evaluated for their strength, alignment with Super Netball’s goals and commercial viability.

NA is yet to formally approve expanding Super Netball as it wants to see the expressions of interest before making a call and setting the timeline for the entry of any new teams.

Investors from Newcastle have been linked with a potential bid, while a third franchise in Queensland or a second in Western Australia could be looked at, although NA appears ready to consider anything at this early stage in the process.

NA chief executive Stacey West said expansion reflects the ambition and momentum of the sport.

“The Super Netball League has never been stronger,” West said.

“Featuring the world’s best netballers in action week in, week out, a thriving fan base that drives strong viewership audiences, and record-breaking attendances across women’s sports leagues in Australia, it is clear the league has grown significantly over the past decade.

“The 2025 season reached new heights with a record 388,455 attendees throughout the season, including a sold-out and record grand final crowd of 15,013 at Rod Laver Arena.

“The season was also the second highest streamed of all time across the Foxtel Group with a 23 per cent increase in viewership across the drama-filled finals series.”

West added that NA was still happy having clubs from other codes being part of franchise ownership, despite Collingwood withdrawing its team at the end of the 2023 season after seven years in the competition.

That licence was later purchased by Craig Hutchison’s Sports Entertainment Network, with the side now playing as the Melbourne Mavericks.

Netball Australia chief executive Stacey West.

Melbourne Storm and University of Sunshine Coast partnered to create the Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2016 and the team was an immediate success winning premierships in 2017 and 2018 while playing finals in six of their nine seasons.

In September, the Storm and the university announced they would exit netball with the Lightning’s ownership moving to a group led by former West Tigers executives Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis.

The Storm are turning their focus to earning an NRLW licence and growing women’s rugby league in Victoria, while Netball NSW have admitted fielding interest in the Giants’ netball licence – which they share with AFL club, GWS – while also planning for the 2026 season.

Helen Housby of the NSW Swifts takes the ball against Giants Netball earlier this season.

NA said it was happy to hear from existing licence holders, entities connected to other sporting codes, consortiums or hybrid ownership models.

“As we look toward the next era, it is vital that any expansion is strategic, sustainable and aligned with the long-term vision of Australian netball,” West said.

“Investing in women’s sport presents a dynamic space for innovation, growth and purpose, and we look forward to engaging with interested parties as we consider the next stage of evolution for Super Netball.”

Anyone interested in joining the process can email [email protected] to register their interest.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.