Netball: Sport NZ grant may provide pay lifeline for ANZ Premiership players

Players in netball's ANZ Premiership could soon be back to full pay.

It's just one significant boost to the game on the back of the $2.2 million cash injection from Sport New Zealand.

The relief package also means jobs that were cut could soon be reinstated.

Reinga Bloxham hasn't just been head coach of the Southern Steel the past few weeks., she's been the assistant coach, manager and even equipment manager.

"I have discovered in the last week or so that I'm not too good at managing a team and I've forgotten to bring bibs and pick up the milk," Bloxham tells Newshub.

And Bloxham's not the only one multi-tasking. Since the ANZ Premiership was suspended, many teams have let go vital support staff.

But the imminent $2.2m grant changes that.

"What this allows us to do is reinstate those really important team personnel that sit around the squad," Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie tells Newshub.

Franchises will work over the weekend to determine exactly how that looks, while players are also set to benefit.

The money will likely guarantee they'll continue to be paid for the extra seven weeks their contracts don't cover, and may even help them avoid taking a 20 percent pay cut.

"I think it is a likelihood," says Netball Players' Association general manager Stephanie Bond. "If we can get to that, that's a great outcome."

While a fair and equitable deal is hoped to be struck across the board, those players at the bottom end of the pay scale might receive a little more than normal to help supplement lost income from their day jobs.

"That is part of the discussions at the moment to try and protect the lower income players and it looks like we will be able to do that."

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