Netball Tasmania confirms interest in joining Super Netball as expansion race heats up

The first contender to be one of Super Netball’s expansion clubs has gone public with its bid, declaring “now is the time” for it to join Australia’s premier netball competition.

Netball Tasmania confirmed it would throw its hat into the ring for a new Super Netball licence after expansion was officially put on the agenda, declaring “now is the time” to bring a top-level team in the world’s best league to the state.

After Netball Australia’s call out for expressions of interest for two new licenses for inclusion in Super Netball as soon as 2027, Netball Tasmania confirmed its intention to officially put forward its case for a team based on the Apple Isle.

Netball Tasmania said it had been “preparing extensively” for the opportunity to join Super Netball when expansion was put on the table with a plan to “ensure the long-term viability and success of an SSN team in the state”.

The sport’s state body was confident its final proposal would position Tasmania as a “compelling choice” for league expansion.

Mavericks players celebrate a win after a Super Netball game in Tasmania.

It added it had engaged in “positive conversations” with the Tasmanian Government in support of its Super Netball ambitions.

“This is our chance to bring a top-level netball team to Tasmania,” Netball Tasmania chief executive Penny Shearer said.

“We’ve thought this through every step of the way, making sure it’s sustainable and truly benefits our players, coaches, and the community.

“Together, the Tasmanian netball community has worked toward this goal for years.

“Now is the time to stand behind it with pride and conviction, demonstrating the strength, unity, and passion of netball in Tasmania.”

NA formally opened an expression of interest period on Friday for two new Super Netball team licences, which would expand the competition to a 10-team competition.

Tasmania’s taste of Super Netball action has so far come through Melbourne teams playing “home” games in the state.

Netball Tasmania boss Penny Shearer.

The now defunct Magpies had a partnership with the Tasmanian Government to play home games in the state, while the Melbourne Mavericks have also played home games in Hobart the past two seasons.

Netball Tasmania and the Adelaide Thunderbirds also announced a partnership at the end of last year, helping to “fill a gap” in the high-performance pathway in Tasmania.

The confirmation of Netball Tasmania’s intent to submit an EOI came as Netball Victoria (NV) indicated it would not be making a submission at this stage for a third franchise in the state, based out of Geelong.

NA CALLS FOR LICENCE BIDS WITH EXPANSION ON SUPER NETBALL RADAR

— Emma Greenwood, Exclusive

The expansion of Super Netball is officially on the agenda, with the call out for expressions of interest for two new team licences for inclusion in the world’s best league as soon as 2027.

Netball Australia (NA) will formally open an expression of interest (EOI) period on Friday, from qualified organisations and consortia seeking to secure a new team owner licence, subject to board approval of the league expansion and confirmation of timelines.

That board approval seems a certainty after the release earlier this week of NA’s 10-year strategic plan, Made in Netball, which listed “transform Super Netball to accelerate growth and enhance its status as the world’s best league” among its strategic initiatives.

Super Netball has operated with eight teams since its launch in 2017 but could expand to 10 from as soon as the 2027 season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Speculation the league would look to expand has been rife for some time and the move is crucial if netball is to stave off raids on its talent from other women’s sports, while ensuring Super Netball maintains its position as the best league in the world.

While it has not yet approved expansion, the NA board has formally endorsed the strategic intent to explore and evaluate opportunities for growth.

Freshwater Strategy sports advisory – a business involved in several successful expansion bids for the NRL and A-League – has been engaged to run the expansion process.

The Freshwater team was involved in the introduction of the Dolphins to the NRL, as well as assisting on the recent Perth Bears bid, while they also recently advised Darren Lockyer and Grant Weshcel on their bid to own the London Broncos in England’s Super League.

Kiera Austin and the Vixens could soon have more competition for the Super Netball title. Picture: Getty Images

Their Super Netball involvement would be both to help interested parties formulate their bids and advise NA on the strength and commercial viability of bids should there be more than two qualified parties.

NA CEO, Stacey West, said the EOI process reflects the ambition and momentum of a sport coming off the back of a record-breaking season for attendance and viewership.

“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 SSN.”

The eight current Super Netball licences are mainly owned by state-based member organisations, with two clubs – the Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning – privately owned.

Netball Australia CEO Stacey West has backed expansion that is strategic and sustainable. Photo: Netball Australia

Global Sports Fund Management Group (GSF), the partnership formed by former Wests Tigers powerbrokers Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis, took over the Lightning licence from the NRL’s Melbourne Storm in October, while clubs behemoth the Mounties Group remains interested in a Super Netball licence, having held talks earlier this year with Netball NSW about a possible purchase of the Giants.

The EOI process is open to private ownership groups, existing SSN licence holders, entities affiliated with other sporting codes and/or consortia or hybrid ownership models.

The timing is likely to be the sticking point for interested parties.

The 2027 season initially looked the most sensible timeline for expansion given it coincides with the start of a new broadcast deal but chair Liz Ellis said discussions were ongoing on that front.

“We would love to expand and that’s not a secret, but there’s a process we’ve got to go through and part of that is understanding what the media rights look like, so there’s a bit of work to be done,” Ellis said.

“But we would like to announce expansion one way or another – whether it’s for 2027 or beyond – at some point early next year.

“I would be very hopeful of having a (broadcast) deal done late this year or early next year.”

Originally published as Netball Tasmania confirms interest in joining Super Netball as expansion race heats up