New leadership makes move to improve relations with Super Netball stars

Two years on from the messy pay dispute which fractured the relationship between Netball Australia and players, the governing body has made a big move to avoid further unrest.

Netball Australia has moved to create more open lines of communication with its Super Netball stars after hosting a town hall with the playing cohort.

The week after the Australian Netball Players Association revealed the top concerns among the playing group in its first annual wellbeing survey, NA chair Liz Ellis and chief executive Stacey West held an online meeting on Wednesday to provide key updates on the league.

Netball Australia’s 10-year strategic plan and the sport’s bid for inclusion in the Olympics were at the top of the agenda for the meeting.

After the messy pay dispute in 2023 between the governing body and the players, the move shows the new leadership is making communication with the players a priority.

NA is working towards unveiling its long-term strategic plan and future direction of Super Netball, which will be aligned to the new broadcast cycle in 2027.

Netball legend Liz Ellis. Picture: Supplied

Stacey West. Picture: Supplied

While developing its 10-year plan, Netball Australia has also been working on its push for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics alongside World Netball chiefs.

World Netball is yet to unveil details of a formal bid, but have made it clear they believe the sport deserves its place at the world’s biggest multi-sport event. It looms as a big 12 months for headquarters and the players in the world’s biggest league ahead of the negotiation of a new Collective Player Agreement.

An ANPA wellbeing survey released last week found more than two-thirds of Super Netball players considered financial security and fair pay as their top concerns.

It’s understood Netball Australia is hoping to make the town hall meetings a regular opportunity with players.

West Coast Fever fans have been treated to 10 consecutive wins.

RECORD RUN

West Coast Fever stands on the verge of Super Netball history this weekend.

If the Fever can defeat the Giants at home in Perth on Sunday, they will claim the league record for consecutive wins.

Undefeated since round 3 this season, the ladder-leading Fever is gunning for an 11th straight win as the team continues to strengthen its championship credentials.

The Fever equalled the record of 10 consecutive wins held by the Adelaide Thunderbirds across season 2024 and into 2025 with their victory over the Lightning last round.

West Coast’s unbeaten run started when star Jamaican goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard returned to the line-up.

The Fever are excited to be on the cusp of Aussie netball history.

Fowler-Nembhard said the consecutive win record meant a lot to all the players.

“The squad is elated, we are very excited about that because while we are focusing on a game at a time, having that also is a very good thing,” Fowler-Nembhard said of equalling the T-Birds mark last week.

“It is going to feel really good (to break it) because we’ve been working really hard and to achieve that plus just playing some really good netball, it’s good.”

Despite missing the first two rounds, Fowler-Nembhard sits second in the league for scoring on 600 this season, just one goal behind Swift Grace Nweke.

Donnell Wallam made an impressive return after four weeks on the sidelines.

DONNELL BACK

Australian goal shooter Donnell Wallam has made an impressive return to the court from injury after four weeks on the sidelines in New Zealand. Wallam, who is playing for the Northern Mystics in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership, topped the scoring in the match against the Stars in Auckland on Monday night. In her first match since hurting her wrist in round four, Wallam finished with 52 goals from 57 attempts as the Mystics shot to the top of the ladder.

The Swifts and Lightning will be trying to bounce back after round 12 defeats.

SUPER NETBALL ROUND 13

SATURDAY

NSW Swifts v Sunshine Coast Lightning, Ken Rosewall Arena, 5pm

Both teams will be aiming to hit back after round 12 losses to build momentum leading into finals. The Swifts suffered an upset loss to the Mavericks, while the Lightning fell to the ladder-leading Fever and have dropped out of the top four. After being pegged as early title favourites in a blistering start to the season, the Swifts have now lost three of their past four matches. The Lightning will again be sweating on the fitness of Diamonds goaler Cara Koenen, who has missed the past two games with a foot injury.

Adelaide Thunderbirds v Melbourne Mavericks, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 7pm

The Thunderbirds kept their premiership three-peat dreams alive after pushing back into the top four with their victory over the Vixens in Melbourne. But the T-Birds will come up against a Mavericks team riding high after their rousing win over the Swifts. If the Mavs, who were led last week by centre Molly Jovic, prolific goal shooter Shimona Jok and skipper Amy Parmenter, can play the way they did against the Swifts, they are every chance of claiming another big scalp.

SUNDAY

Melbourne Vixens v Queensland Firebirds, John Cain Arena, 2pm

After five straight victories, the Vixens’ winning run came to an end against the T-Birds, but they’ll be desperate to get back on track ahead of the finals. The Vixens last meeting against the Firebirds – when they won 70-52 in round six – marked the start of their five-game charge. Melbourne suffered a midcourt blow with Hannah Mundy ruled out for an extended period with a stress-related foot injury, but young gun Zara Walters is making the most of her opportunities at wing attack. Meanwhile, the injury-hit Firebirds are limping to the end of the season.

West Coast Fever v Giants, RAC Arena, 4pm

The Fever continue to enhance their championship credentials after extending their winning streak to 10 games with their big victory over the Lightning. Boosting their run towards the finals, the Fever has its final two games of the season at home and on paper, this match-up should keep their unbeaten stretch going. But the Giants’ form has lifted, winning three of their past four matches.

Originally published as New leadership makes move to improve relations with Super Netball stars