Silver Ferns players say the collapse of the private netball league has left them devastated, financially exposed and unsure whether they can keep playing the sport at all, in candid interviews published by the NZ Herald on 5 November 2026.
Midcourt Kate Mason and shooter Grace Salmon, both fresh from New Zealand's 3-1 Constellation Cup series win over the Australian Diamonds, described tears, panic and sleepless stress after Netball New Zealand (NNZ) walked away from a deal with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams. Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennah Wootten apologised to players on Monday for the way they learned of the collapse, which came through the media rather than from the sporting body itself.
What happened to the private netball league?
The privatised competition, backed by Mowbray and Williams, had been widely seen as the sport's lifeline. According to 1News, NNZ withdrew from negotiations just eight weeks after signing a term sheet with the investors, leaving the 2027 domestic season in limbo. Players had been receiving weekly updates through the New Zealand Netball Players Association (NZNPA), and many said the optimism of those briefings made the sudden collapse harder to absorb.
Salmon said she had seen models of what the league would look like and had been genuinely excited. Now she is planning to contact a psychologist.
“I was so upset and low-key kind of heartbroken. I just cried straight away, and my husband was away at uni, so I had no one to talk to about it and just, yeah, kind of bawled my eyes out.”
Mason said the news blindsided the entire squad.
“It was just devastating. The tears immediately came out. The reality of the complete uncertainty that's about to face a big group of us players hit quite hard. We're just completely lost.”
Players on the benefit: the financial reality behind the headlines
The most sobering detail to emerge from the Herald's reporting is that some athletes have been forced onto Government support. The outlet spoke to a fully contracted ANZ Premiership player who spent two to three months on the Jobseeker benefit while searching for work. The Auckland-based athlete has since moved away from family to represent another region and is weighing up whether to abandon netball and return home.
Wootten told the Herald she had not realised players were using Government assistance. Central Pulse boss Ann Hay was also unaware, though unsurprised.
Both Mason and Salmon knew, and neither treated it as a secret.
“That's our income, and most of the time we roll back-to-back contracts and you're getting paid full year-round. Government is probably where we're going to have to go for that financial support because we've got nowhere else.”
Salmon defended those turning to the dole, pointing out the impossible timing the collapse has created. A contract could arrive tomorrow, or in two months, which makes committing to any employer difficult. “I don't blame them for going on the dole. Not having answers really is frustrating,” she said.
Lost opportunities and the World Cup question
Mason admitted the saga has weighed on her heavily over recent months, and that trusting NNZ to deliver a professional competition cost players real chances elsewhere.
“We had confidence, so lots of us probably missed opportunities that now we probably regret not taking. And now we're out here trying to scramble and be willing to take anything for an opportunity to stay in the sport.”
She has watched close friends head overseas, happy for them but conscious that the same pathway may now be closed to her. “To get my head around that that may not be a possibility for me next year is super, super hard,” she said.
Salmon was talking to Australian clubs before choosing to stay in New Zealand to be near family. With a Netball World Cup scheduled for next year, she fears the uncertainty will undermine the Silver Ferns' preparation. As Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan noted, many players have already relocated to Australia this season and now face doing it all over again, with further stress and pay cuts.
The toll extends beyond the elite squad. Former Silver Ferns defender Erena Mikaere, who plays for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, told 1News the collapse threatens not only her own job but the pathway for the next generation of netballers, including her own daughter.
What happens next?
NZNPA chief executive Pippa Moore has urged NNZ to resume talks with Williams and Mowbray, and wants players directly involved in any effort to salvage the deal. Moore raised concerns about athletes' mental health last week, citing the renewed uncertainty over their jobs.
The NZNPA has helped some players access financial assistance, but with no domestic competition confirmed and no timeline for one, the pressure keeps building. Mason warned that financial stress among young franchise players will keep rolling into the collective's mental health, an effect she expects to intensify in the coming months.
FAQ
Why did the private netball league collapse?
Netball New Zealand withdrew from negotiations with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams eight weeks after signing a term sheet, according to 1News. The reasons for the withdrawal have not been fully explained to players.
Are Silver Ferns players receiving Government support?
Yes. The NZ Herald reported that a fully contracted ANZ Premiership player spent two to three months on the Jobseeker benefit, and both Mason and Salmon confirmed they knew of players relying on Government assistance.
What does the collapse mean for the Netball World Cup?
Salmon said she is unsure whether the Silver Ferns will have a proper lead-up to next year's World Cup given the uncertainty surrounding the domestic competition.