Netball: Franchises delay expanded competition

Netball New Zealand has delayed the expansion of its National Bank Cup competition until 2007.

Yesterday it released the draw for next year's competition under the same format as this year, with just one full round before the semifinals.

It intended to introduce an extended playoff round between the top four teams next year, adding two weeks to the competition, but this was scrapped. Instead it will move to two full rounds in 2007.

Netball NZ received feedback from the eight franchises who preferred to focus their resources on the 2007 competition.

Factors cited include current franchise sponsorships, developments in venue availability and next year's full netball calendar.

Chief executive Shelley McMeeken said the decision to hold off changes until 2007 was made with the good of the game in mind.

"It [the 2007 competition] is a huge step up for the game and for the business side of netball.

"It's an exciting extension as it will mean more high-quality netball for our players and our fans, but our franchises need time to be able to plan effectively for this."

Cup draw

Round one, April 28-30:

Magic v Sting, Hamilton; Rebels v Flyers, Dunedin; Force v Shakers, North Shore; Diamonds v Flames, Auckland.

Round two, May 5-7:

Sting v Flyers, Invercargill; Shakers v Magic, Wellington; Flames v Force, Christchurch; Diamonds v Rebels, Auckland.

Round three, May 12-14:

Flames v Magic, Christchurch; Flyers v Shakers, Palmerston North; Sting v Rebels, Invercargill; Force v Diamonds, North Shore.

Round four, May 19-21:

Magic v Flyers, Rotorua (venue subject to approval); Rebels v Flames, Dunedin; Shakers v Diamonds, Wellington; Force v Sting, North Shore.

Round five, May 26-28:

Flyers v Force, New Plymouth; Sting v Diamonds, Invercargill; Flames v Shakers, Christchurch; Magic v Rebels, Hamilton.

Round six, June 2-4:

Flyers v Flames, Napier; Diamonds v Magic, Auckland; Shakers v Sting, Wellington; Force v Rebels, North Shore.

Round seven, June 9-11:

Rebels v Shakers, Dunedin; Magic v Force, Tauranga; Sting v Flames, Invercargill; Flyers v Diamonds, Napier.

Minor semifinals, June 16-18:

1st v 2nd, 3rd v 4th.

Major semifinal, June 23-25:

Loser 1 v winner 2.

Final, June 30-July 2.

- NZPA