The next tier of elite netballers will get the chance to step back out on court this season, when the new-look Beko Netball League makes its return next month.
In March, the feeder competition to the ANZ Premiership was canned due to COVID-19..
But Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie says the $300,000 funding boost from the government means the competition is able to go ahead, albeit in a revised format.
"We're really excited to be able to get the support of Sport NZ and the Government to have this amateur competition," Wyliee tells Newshub. "Which is incredibly important for our young athletes as they develop."
Six teams will compete over three weekends in a round robin competition beginning August 29.
They will each play five games during the shortened competition, taking place across Auckland, Wellington and Te Aroha.
Netball NZ head of events and international Kate Agnew says the Beko Netball League is an important part of the performance pathway for players leading into the ANZ Premiership and next year's Netball World Youth Cup in Fiji.
"This will be an opportunity for our emerging talent selectors to see more of our NZ U-21 eligible players ahead of the NZ U-21 qquad being announced post the Beko Netball League," says Agnew.
Defending champions Central Manawa will be looking to pick up their fourth consecutive title.
