Netball: Countries to pursue joint competition

Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia have formed a committee to investigate a transtasman competition.

The committee will examine ideas proposed in Netball New Zealand's review of the National Bank Cup and whether they are affordable and in the best interest of both countries.

Netball New Zealand commissioned the review of the cup, which produced three options for change.

The first was an enhanced version of the competition, which could mean extending the single round robin to 1 1/2 rounds or a double round robin.

The second involved playoffs between the top New Zealand and Australian sides, which would mean bringing the two competitions into line.

The third option was a fully fledged transtasman competition.

Reaction to the transtasman options has been mixed in Australia.

In a radio interview, Netball Australia's acting chief executive, John Bissett, was not confident such a competition would get off the ground soon.

However, Netball Australia president Noeleen Dix was more positive.

"We are certainly interested in anything. We have been talking to Netball New Zealand for years. We are always happy to discuss things that might enhance the profile of our sport."

Netball Australia were more than happy with their Commonwealth Bank Trophy competition, Dix said, but they were always looking at ways to improve it.

"We would be silly not to consider any opportunities to develop our game. But what is right for New Zealand is not necessarily right for Australia."

She said the boards of Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia had formed a committee to investigate the options and whether they could work for both countries.

"This study we are commissioning is going to produce the way forward. Netball New Zealand did their investigation and came up with three options. Now we need to investigate what is best for both of us.

"I really can't pre-empt what this study is going to throw up."

The National Bank Cup and the Commonwealth Bank Trophy have been very successful. This year's cup competition was the closest in its nine-year history, and the trophy competition received a huge boost when ABC decided to screen games live.

With the Australian Government expected to free up restrictions that ban the ABC and SBS from showing news, current affairs and sport on their digital channels, Australian netball fans could be in for more coverage which would raise the sport's profile - an appealing proposition for sponsors on both sides of the Tasman.

While some teams in the National Bank Cup are struggling financially, across the Tasman teams in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy competition appear to be financially sound. Seven of the eight teams have naming sponsors.

"So they are probably better off this year than they have been before," Dix said.

"Things are looking more positive for us. In the [competition's] 10-year history, this year has probably been the most fruitful for them in that respect."

With the high cost of travelling around New Zealand, a transtasman competition could actually be less costly.

If a transtasman competition does go ahead, it would not be the first time. There were occasions during the 1980s and early 1990s when the top provincial or regional teams in each country squared off. However, a regular competition was never established.

"We are very interested in increasing the profile of our sport," Dix said.

"It is in the interest of women in Australia that we profile the most popular women's sport in Australia."