1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:16,267 Speaker 2: The exodus of our top netball players meantime from the 4 00:00:16,307 --> 00:00:20,187 Speaker 2: A and Z Premiership continues. Whitney Sooners and Jane Watson 5 00:00:20,227 --> 00:00:23,987 Speaker 2: will play for the Sydney based Giants next year. Kelly Jackson, 6 00:00:24,027 --> 00:00:27,147 Speaker 2: Maddy Gordon and Tapius Selby Rickett have all joined the 7 00:00:27,227 --> 00:00:31,027 Speaker 2: Queensland Firebirds. Grace Wiki, of course, returns for a second 8 00:00:31,347 --> 00:00:34,867 Speaker 2: season with the new South Wales Swifts. Karen Berger's off 9 00:00:34,867 --> 00:00:38,587 Speaker 2: to the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Kate Heffernan has joined the 10 00:00:38,627 --> 00:00:41,787 Speaker 2: Adelaide Thunderbirds and there may be more to come. So 11 00:00:42,227 --> 00:00:45,467 Speaker 2: how are they feeling about this? Across the Tasman, Let's 12 00:00:45,467 --> 00:00:49,027 Speaker 2: bring in former Australian Diamonds coach and Member of the 13 00:00:49,147 --> 00:00:52,907 Speaker 2: Order of Australia for services to netball, Lisa Alexander. Lisa, 14 00:00:52,907 --> 00:00:55,307 Speaker 2: thanks for joining us across New Zealand. What has your 15 00:00:55,347 --> 00:00:59,707 Speaker 2: reaction been to the influx of New Zealand players signed 16 00:00:59,787 --> 00:01:01,107 Speaker 2: by Australian clubs. 17 00:01:01,827 --> 00:01:05,747 Speaker 3: I am not surprised one beat and it's something actually 18 00:01:05,827 --> 00:01:12,107 Speaker 3: that I once the eligibility rule was discussed by New 19 00:01:12,187 --> 00:01:15,827 Speaker 3: Zealand Netball. Of course, then I just thought it was 20 00:01:15,947 --> 00:01:18,867 Speaker 3: just a matter of time that those players, particularly your 21 00:01:18,947 --> 00:01:25,067 Speaker 3: top seven from the Silver Ferns, would be definitely targeted 22 00:01:25,347 --> 00:01:29,867 Speaker 3: by recruiters over here for those clubs. And you know, 23 00:01:29,907 --> 00:01:33,387 Speaker 3: it's the world's best domestic competition and it's great. I 24 00:01:33,427 --> 00:01:34,507 Speaker 3: think it's fantastic. 25 00:01:35,027 --> 00:01:38,627 Speaker 2: Has there been, to your knowledge, any pushback from the 26 00:01:38,667 --> 00:01:42,067 Speaker 2: Australian nitball public. Maybe some Australian players who see their 27 00:01:42,107 --> 00:01:46,427 Speaker 2: spots potentially taken in these teams by New Zealanders. 28 00:01:48,107 --> 00:01:52,387 Speaker 3: Look, I have a fairly close eye on social media 29 00:01:52,507 --> 00:01:54,307 Speaker 3: over here. But at the end of the day, I 30 00:01:54,387 --> 00:01:59,187 Speaker 3: think everyone realized, and particularly because it's such a globally 31 00:01:59,307 --> 00:02:02,267 Speaker 3: supported competition, there's a lot of people from England that 32 00:02:02,387 --> 00:02:05,787 Speaker 3: support it, also from New Zealand I think, and South Africa. 33 00:02:05,827 --> 00:02:08,027 Speaker 3: They seem to think that it's a great thing for 34 00:02:08,107 --> 00:02:11,227 Speaker 3: the sport that the best players in the world are 35 00:02:11,227 --> 00:02:14,107 Speaker 3: playing in what is I think we know now the 36 00:02:14,147 --> 00:02:16,547 Speaker 3: world's best domestic competition for netball. 37 00:02:17,267 --> 00:02:19,187 Speaker 2: As you pointed out, the catalyst for this has been 38 00:02:19,227 --> 00:02:23,027 Speaker 2: the changing of the Silver Ferns eligibility rules, allowing players 39 00:02:23,027 --> 00:02:24,747 Speaker 2: to apply for an exemption to still play for New 40 00:02:24,827 --> 00:02:27,867 Speaker 2: Zealand while playing their domestic netball elsewhere. Do you think 41 00:02:27,907 --> 00:02:30,467 Speaker 2: that was the right move by Netball New Zealand. 42 00:02:31,547 --> 00:02:35,347 Speaker 3: I think it had to happen because Netbull's moving well 43 00:02:35,387 --> 00:02:38,907 Speaker 3: and truly into the professional era and it would have 44 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:43,747 Speaker 3: been really restricting their ability to earn a salary and 45 00:02:43,827 --> 00:02:46,667 Speaker 3: be professional netball as if they weren't allowed to do that. 46 00:02:47,227 --> 00:02:49,667 Speaker 3: So I think it's a smart move and I don't 47 00:02:49,747 --> 00:02:55,427 Speaker 3: think it will have a major impact on the strength 48 00:02:55,467 --> 00:02:57,587 Speaker 3: of the Silver Ferns, that's for certain. I think it 49 00:02:57,627 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 3: will actually strengthen them to a greater level. And what's 50 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:05,267 Speaker 3: going to have to obviously happen is a lot more 51 00:03:05,267 --> 00:03:09,507 Speaker 3: investment into New Zealand pathway and to ensure that the competition, 52 00:03:09,587 --> 00:03:12,467 Speaker 3: the domestic competition is as good as it can be 53 00:03:13,707 --> 00:03:16,107 Speaker 3: in New Zealand as well, which is what Australia will 54 00:03:16,107 --> 00:03:20,467 Speaker 3: need to do too, particularly with the reserves competition. So 55 00:03:20,507 --> 00:03:23,587 Speaker 3: you've really got to keep and continue that pipeline of 56 00:03:23,747 --> 00:03:27,427 Speaker 3: talent and you've got to keep them interested and then 57 00:03:27,667 --> 00:03:31,747 Speaker 3: obviously getting those opportunities in international contests. 58 00:03:32,147 --> 00:03:34,627 Speaker 2: You've landed on a very good point, actually, Lisa, having 59 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:37,787 Speaker 2: so many of our international players in Supernepal, which as 60 00:03:37,827 --> 00:03:41,027 Speaker 2: you say, is without doubt the strongest domestic competition in 61 00:03:41,067 --> 00:03:43,907 Speaker 2: the world. That will almost certainly strengthen the Silver Ferns. 62 00:03:43,947 --> 00:03:46,227 Speaker 2: I've got no doubt about that. Should that be a 63 00:03:46,267 --> 00:03:50,507 Speaker 2: consideration for administrators in Australia to be aware. 64 00:03:50,187 --> 00:03:53,907 Speaker 3: Of Look, they are aware of it. They were aware 65 00:03:53,947 --> 00:03:57,107 Speaker 3: of it back in two seventeen when I was Australian 66 00:03:57,147 --> 00:03:59,667 Speaker 3: Diamonds coach and we had to put our submissions in 67 00:03:59,907 --> 00:04:05,187 Speaker 3: around from our high performance unit, around the rules for eligibility, 68 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:08,707 Speaker 3: and even at that time we argued that perhaps two 69 00:04:08,747 --> 00:04:13,227 Speaker 3: imports per team would be enough, but you know, the 70 00:04:13,267 --> 00:04:15,467 Speaker 3: powers that be at the time felt that they really 71 00:04:15,507 --> 00:04:19,027 Speaker 3: wanted to have a league on its own that would 72 00:04:19,067 --> 00:04:22,067 Speaker 3: be the best domestic competition in the world, so they 73 00:04:22,187 --> 00:04:25,867 Speaker 3: went with the open entry of as many imports as 74 00:04:25,867 --> 00:04:29,827 Speaker 3: possible and I think it's actually enriched our netball here 75 00:04:29,827 --> 00:04:33,147 Speaker 3: in Australia as well. I think we are learning more 76 00:04:33,227 --> 00:04:36,027 Speaker 3: about our opposition as well at the same time, so 77 00:04:36,147 --> 00:04:39,867 Speaker 3: it's not necessarily all doom and gloom. In fact, you 78 00:04:39,907 --> 00:04:43,667 Speaker 3: know you've got eight Kiwi's coming over and you know 79 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:47,187 Speaker 3: there's still sixty five spots for restraint and athletes in 80 00:04:47,427 --> 00:04:50,707 Speaker 3: this competition, so there's still you know, the numbers are 81 00:04:50,747 --> 00:04:51,667 Speaker 3: still in our favor. 82 00:04:52,307 --> 00:04:55,507 Speaker 2: As you say, it'll need a rethink over here, a refresher, 83 00:04:56,067 --> 00:04:57,707 Speaker 2: a look at the pathways to make sure that the 84 00:04:57,707 --> 00:05:01,667 Speaker 2: azet premissup out domestic competition is still strong. How important 85 00:05:01,787 --> 00:05:05,067 Speaker 2: is it you know that New Zealand nipple internationally and 86 00:05:05,147 --> 00:05:06,947 Speaker 2: domestically strong. 87 00:05:08,427 --> 00:05:12,027 Speaker 3: Oh, it's absolutely critical for the next stages of the 88 00:05:12,067 --> 00:05:15,507 Speaker 3: growth of the sport, particularly if we're going as we've 89 00:05:15,587 --> 00:05:18,667 Speaker 3: already said and Lizzellis has put out there, we want 90 00:05:18,707 --> 00:05:22,987 Speaker 3: netball to be in the twenty thirty two Brisbane Olympics. 91 00:05:23,227 --> 00:05:26,027 Speaker 3: You know, I think it's vital that we have as 92 00:05:26,107 --> 00:05:31,027 Speaker 3: much international competitiveness as we possibly can, and we're starting 93 00:05:31,067 --> 00:05:34,307 Speaker 3: to do that now. South Africa coming over to play 94 00:05:34,307 --> 00:05:37,307 Speaker 3: our in a Test series I think is terrific, and 95 00:05:37,907 --> 00:05:39,867 Speaker 3: we just need to really grow the sport from a 96 00:05:39,867 --> 00:05:44,427 Speaker 3: global perspective. Of course, that means higher income from broadcast 97 00:05:44,587 --> 00:05:49,707 Speaker 3: rights when it gets displayed into countries like America. I 98 00:05:49,787 --> 00:05:53,187 Speaker 3: know there's a push over there to get more eyeballs 99 00:05:53,227 --> 00:05:57,507 Speaker 3: on screens watching netball, and certainly from my point of view, 100 00:05:57,507 --> 00:06:00,667 Speaker 3: we've got to make sure we provide a fantastic high 101 00:06:00,707 --> 00:06:05,427 Speaker 3: performance setting an environment for those athletes to really grow 102 00:06:05,787 --> 00:06:07,907 Speaker 3: and shine on the international stage. 103 00:06:08,307 --> 00:06:11,667 Speaker 2: I read some quotes from you recently saying you were 104 00:06:11,667 --> 00:06:13,467 Speaker 2: a fan of there being a couple of New Zealand 105 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:17,107 Speaker 2: teams in Super Netball as part of competition expansion. Now 106 00:06:17,107 --> 00:06:20,467 Speaker 2: that was before these eligibility rules over here were changed. 107 00:06:21,267 --> 00:06:23,387 Speaker 2: Can you still see that happening? Are you still keen 108 00:06:23,427 --> 00:06:26,107 Speaker 2: on that idea of a couple of New Zealand based 109 00:06:26,147 --> 00:06:27,467 Speaker 2: teams in Supernitball? 110 00:06:28,427 --> 00:06:30,347 Speaker 3: Yeah? Look, I think so, and I think we can 111 00:06:30,387 --> 00:06:35,707 Speaker 3: also look to Asia as well. Singapore, particularly from an 112 00:06:35,747 --> 00:06:39,467 Speaker 3: economic point of view, is a very big part of 113 00:06:40,027 --> 00:06:43,907 Speaker 3: the driving economics in this area, and they've also got 114 00:06:43,907 --> 00:06:48,347 Speaker 3: some very strong netballers there too, So I think reaching 115 00:06:48,387 --> 00:06:51,107 Speaker 3: out a little bit and particularly over the ditch is 116 00:06:51,107 --> 00:06:54,827 Speaker 3: an important part of the puzzle if we can get 117 00:06:54,827 --> 00:06:56,427 Speaker 3: that expansion model happening. 118 00:06:56,827 --> 00:06:59,667 Speaker 2: Some very interesting thoughts, Lisa, thanks so much for joining us. 119 00:06:59,747 --> 00:07:02,227 Speaker 2: Really appreciate your insight from your side of the Tasman 120 00:07:02,307 --> 00:07:06,107 Speaker 2: Lisa Alexander their former Australian Diamonds coach. By the sounds 121 00:07:06,147 --> 00:07:09,347 Speaker 2: of it, well, it's obvious she's a fan had to happen, 122 00:07:09,427 --> 00:07:12,347 Speaker 2: she said, was always going to happen when the eligibility 123 00:07:12,467 --> 00:07:16,187 Speaker 2: rules changed, that the Australian teams would snap up our 124 00:07:16,187 --> 00:07:18,747 Speaker 2: best players. And as she said, there's still a lot 125 00:07:18,747 --> 00:07:24,827 Speaker 2: of spots available for Australian players. For our best players, 126 00:07:25,027 --> 00:07:28,347 Speaker 2: great right, great, great for them to get the opportunity 127 00:07:28,387 --> 00:07:32,627 Speaker 2: to go over there and experience a higher standard of 128 00:07:32,947 --> 00:07:35,827 Speaker 2: nep all let's be honest to also pick up a 129 00:07:35,827 --> 00:07:38,627 Speaker 2: contract because there's still a little bit of uncertain about 130 00:07:38,627 --> 00:07:41,547 Speaker 2: what's going to be happening back here. The next challenge 131 00:07:41,547 --> 00:07:45,307 Speaker 2: for New Zealand franchises and for NEPBA New Zealand is 132 00:07:45,347 --> 00:07:48,987 Speaker 2: to make sure that our am Z Premiership doesn't drop 133 00:07:49,107 --> 00:07:52,747 Speaker 2: down a couple of notches. Inevitably it may well do 134 00:07:52,907 --> 00:07:55,147 Speaker 2: with all of these players leaving, but they've got to 135 00:07:55,147 --> 00:07:58,067 Speaker 2: find a way to keep it generating. At the bottom 136 00:07:58,147 --> 00:07:59,867 Speaker 2: ends a couple of bits of news you might have 137 00:07:59,907 --> 00:08:02,507 Speaker 2: caught up on today. A boost for the Southern Steel 138 00:08:03,547 --> 00:08:06,667 Speaker 2: Kimmi Order pois Silver Fern's mid quarter has resown with 139 00:08:06,707 --> 00:08:10,387 Speaker 2: them for the upcoming season, so that's good news. Tiana Matido. Meantime, 140 00:08:10,387 --> 00:08:13,987 Speaker 2: the Pulse Shooter and former Silver fern Shooter has signed 141 00:08:13,987 --> 00:08:18,187 Speaker 2: with the Birmingham Panthers in England's Netball Super League, so 142 00:08:18,387 --> 00:08:21,747 Speaker 2: she has gone even further afield. Be very interesting to 143 00:08:21,787 --> 00:08:24,667 Speaker 2: see what happens in terms of the ANST Premiership and 144 00:08:24,747 --> 00:08:27,507 Speaker 2: the shape of it in twenty twenty six. 145 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:31,747 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 146 00:08:31,827 --> 00:08:35,147 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday or follow 147 00:08:35,187 --> 00:08:36,787 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.