By Brad Lewis
Netball New Zealand have been quick to shut down reports out of Australia that Netball Australia is on the verge of launching a new eight team competition in 2017 that will consist solely of Australian based teams.
The new competition will reportedly have prime time backing by Australia's Channel Nine.
A joint statement this afternoon from Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia says that an agreement for the future shape and format of the ANZ Championship is expected next week.
However the statement did not deny the speculation, it simply stated the both parties were surprised.
Former Diamonds coach Norma Plummer believes that Netball Australia should do what's best for them and that New Zealand teams are holding their Trans-Tasman rivals back.
"Australia has more depth but they are not getting the development needed with only 5 teams. It's very much about Australia keeping their development going," said Plummer.
Plummer says Laura Langman's recent decision to play in Sydney with the Swifts is an example of the current state of the competition that a high profile New Zealand international wants to play in an Australian team.
"I would imagine it's what the players want if they believe the level of competition is coming down."
The Southern Steel are the only New Zealand team with a victory over Australian opposition in 2016.
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