Super Netball expansion given green light as Netball Australia calls for expressions of interest in new licences

Super Netball could be operating as a 10-team competition as soon as 2027 after Netball Australia called for expressions of interest in new team licences.

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 Super Netball expansion given green light as Netball Australia calls for expressions of interest in new licences