Netball SA reveals plan for ‚'evolution' of Premier League following independent review (SA Premier League )
Changes to the Netball SA Premier League – dominated by two clubs for more than a decade – have been unveilved in a bid to strengthen the competition. See the full plan here.
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The state’s top netball league will undergo an “evolution” to increase the evenness of the competition following more than a decade of domination by two of its clubs.
Netball SA revealed a string of recommendations for the future of its Premier League on Tuesday night which it hoped would make the competition more competitive and enable it to grow.
The proposed changes, which include a review of the current points system, the introduction of regional zones and a reduction in squad sizes, were made by an independent committee formed in January.
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It comes as competition powerhouses Contax and Matrics prepare to play in this Friday night’s Premier League grand final.
Between them, the two clubs have won every premiership since 2010.
Netball SA chief executive Bronwyn Klei said it was time for change to ensure the state’s pinnacle competition remained strong into the future.
“(The league) was last reviewed back in 2009 with some changes made in 2011,” Klei said.
“So it was time for change and to ensure that process was really thorough we employed an external committee and consultant.
“This process is an evolution not a revolution, with the elevation of the league at the heart of all nine recommendations.”
The recommendations, which were endorsed by the governing body’s board, have been presented to presidents of the eight Premier League clubs with Netball SA to continue to consult them through the process.
While significant change would not be achieved in the short term, Klei said modifications to the player points system and contracts would be implemented for 2023.
Netball SA also plans to reduce each Premier League squad size from 30 to 24 players.
She said the review was not about limiting the success of Contax and Matrics but raising the level of the competition in general.
Friday night will be the fourth-straight year and ninth time since 2010 the two clubs have met in the decider.
“That’s testament to the strength of those clubs and how well run they are,” Klei said.
“This review takes nothing away from them or what they achieve with their members, this is about how do we bring the other clubs up to the same standard.
“An ideal competition for us is one where there are competitive, exciting games every week and it becomes the competition the Thunderbirds and Super Netball look to pull their players out of.”
Netball SA will continue to review the recommendations as it works with its clubs and stakeholders on how they are delivered.
The Premier League grand finals will be played this Friday night with Contax and Matrics facing off in both the senior and reserves deciders.
Both matches will be exclusively live streamed by KommunityTV.
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