Trans-Tasman netball has confirmed a major shake up with Australia and New Zealand going their separate ways.
Netball New Zealand (NNZ) has confirmed a new six team competition called the New Zealand Elite Domestic League will launch next year after Australia decided to pull away from the ANZ Championship.
The new competition will be a triple round robin featuring the current five New Zealand teams plus a new team based in the greater Auckland area.
Details around the location, team name and coach appointment of the new franchise will be announced in the near future by Netball New Zealand.
Elite Domestic League games will be played on Sunday afternoons, which has proved successful in 2016 from an attendance and viewership perspective.
All six teams will feature in a new Super Sunday fixture slot that will be played at the same venue.
Monday night netball will return, as well as a brand new timeslot on Wednesday nights.
Bailey Mes of the Tactix shoots under pressure from Geva Mentor of the Melbourne Vixens (Photosport)
Netball Australia has also confirmed a new five-year broadcasting deal, with the current five trans-Tasman sides being joined by three others in an eight-team domestic Australian competition.
The three teams are being supported by the Collingwood AFL club, Melbourne Storm NRL club and the Greater Western Sydney AFL club.
Stephanie Bond, New Zealand Netball Players Association executive manager, says they have been working closely with NNZ in the formation of the new competition. "The players are genuinely excited about the new-look competition and believe it is the best step forward for Netball in New Zealand. It will continue to provide opportunities for NZ players to play at an elite level and against international opponents," Bond said.
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