Today, England Netball have officially launched the tender process for clubs to enter the new 2025 Netball Super League. This is the first major public step to initiating a new professional netball league in 2025 and is something that the NPA have been supporting England Netball with in the preparation stages.
This is an exciting time for the sport and will see netball harness the opportunities that the increased profile of women’s sport has to offer. For our members it will mean a more professional club environment with greater support through coaching and sport science, along with a financial package that will give players opportunities to reduce the time they do other work and give them time to focus on their game and club.
Our Player Rep Chair, Fran Williams expressed her own excitement about the plans, saying “This is an exciting step towards taking netball in our country to that next level. Moving towards more professional, elite environments within our clubs will not only allow players to progress their game, and in turn create a highly competitive and thriving league, but also be fully supported to do so.”
“It’s important that the players’ voice is represented along this journey. The NPA has and continues to play a pivotal role in providing player input and feedback into the planning for professionalisation. The players are excited to embrace the opportunities ahead and grow our game even further in this country.”
While Liz Bloor, Managing Director of the NPA said, “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting and ambitious moment for our sport, the start of a progressive plan to build a professional future for netball.
“This provides the long-awaited opportunity for elite netballers to become professional athletes in the UK, to showcase their talents in bigger venues in front of their fans and to earn a living playing the sport they love. For all the youngsters up and down the country who love netball, greater visibility of their heroes and the chance to dream of a netball career will be so inspiring.
“The Netball Players Association, on behalf of our members, has worked closely with England Netball over the last two years to input the players' voice and to help shape the plans for the league. We look forward to continuing our work with England Netball, the league and the clubs that become part of it to ensure the player voice continues to be integral to the decision making, the drive and the ambition for the league as the plans evolve.”
Once tender bids have been received in January 2024, it is expected that the announcement of the new league will be made in March 2024.
If you would like more information on the new league, please head to www.netballsl.com