Netball: Players welcome return of domestic netball

Katrina Rore. Credit: Image - Getty; Video - Sky Sports/Newshub.

Netball's ANZ Premiership has been given the green light to start under Alert Level 2, although what it will look like is still very much up in the air.

Netball New Zealand is hopeful it won't be the only netball competition that returns this year.

It's been a long seven weeks for Central Pulse's Katrina Rore, so that news that netball will soon be back was welcome relief.

"I've chucked on the rugby boots and done a few field sessions down the road," Rore told Newshub.

Unlike rugby, netballers will be given four weeks of training before competition begins and when it does, it's likely that matches will be played at one venue over multiple weekends.

"They will play probably, at this stage, a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and in some instances, a Monday," said Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie.

For players and staff, that will mean a lot of time away from whanau for players and staff. But it's a sacrifice they're willing to make.

"If that's the price we have to pay then we're all happy to do that," Rore stated.

But an added benefit is the likelihood of some international netball later in the year.

While Netball NZ has been in talks with England and South Africa, a Constellation Cup series is most likely, especially if a Trans-Tasman bubble is formed.

"New Zealand and Australia have such a great rivalry. If we can get the Constellation Cup  done, I think it will be great for all of us," Rore added. 

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