ANZ Premiership champion Mainland Tactix left ravaged by Netball NZ eligibility U-turn

Saturday, 16 August 2025

Tactix star Karin Burger is set to join the Kiwi exodus to Super Netball with the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

The ramifications of Netball New Zealand’s decision to allow leading Silver Ferns to compete in Australia’s Super Netball won’t be truly known for two years.

That’s the view of Mainland Tactix general manager Kate Agnew, who has seen her title-winning squad ravaged for 2026.

Former Silver Ferns shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit, a 66-test stalwart and key member of the Tactix squad since 2020, will join leading Silver Ferns Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon at the Queensland Firebirds next year, coached by Kiwi Kiri Wills.

Fellow Tactix grand final winners, Silver Ferns star Karin Burger, and former Fern Jane Watson, look poised to join the growing Kiwi exodus across the Tasman. Burger has been heavily linked with a move to the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Agnew declined to comment on Watson’s plans, but it would not be a surprise if the 35-year-old decided to finish her career in Super Netball. The Tactix confirmed on Thursday Watson would not return next season, saying: “We back you on your next chapter”.

Silver Ferns standouts Maddy Gordon and Grace Nweke will feature in Australia’s Super Netball next year.

Star midcourter Kate Heffernan brought the tally of current Silver Ferns heading to Super Netball to four on Thursday, signing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Ace shooter Grace Nweke has re-signed for her second season with the NSW Swifts.

As of Friday, there were 10 contract spots remaining for 2026 Super Netball sides. The Thunderbirds, Firebirds, and champion Melbourne Vixens have completed their 10 roster spots, but the other five teams each had two spaces open.

The flurry of New Zealand netballers to Australia is little surprise after NNZ’s eligibility criteria U-turn last month. NNZ’s revised regulations allow athletes playing abroad the opportunity to be considered for Silver Ferns selection through a formal exemption process.

Brilliant Tactix defensive duo Karin Burger and Jane Watson won’t be back to defend their ANZ Premiership title next year.

Kiwi netballers can earn as much as $60,000 more by competing across the Tasman, The Post revealed last month.

With potentially seven of the country’s top players not featuring in the ANZ Premiership next year, it would be a blow for the competition, which switches from Sky to free-to-air TVNZ. Not having some of the most well known netball faces in New Zealand playing would have an impact on the quality of matches and fans’ interest.

Agnew, who was previously involved with NNZ for 21 years in a variety of roles, believed it would take two years to fully know whether the right call had been made. How the Silver Ferns performed at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney would be the true test, she said.

NNZ were in a difficult situation where blocking Silver Ferns who were featuring in Super Netball from wearing the black dress would have drastically weakened the national side. The standard of netball, money, and chance to improve against the world’s best players was a powerful lure in Super Netball.

“I think it isn’t going to be something we’re fully going to be able to understand and appreciate until I would say two years. I think in two years’ time we’re going to have a better sense of whether it was a good decision or not [by NNZ]. It depends what your objectives are too,” Agnew said.

The Tactix celebrate their ANZ Premiership title win over the Mystics, but their squad will be vastly different in 2026.

“Ultimately Netball New Zealand have got some conflicting objectives. They want to make sure they’ve got a Silver Ferns team that can win on the world stage, but they’re also trying to ensure the visibility and excitement and development of the product domestically is able to continue.’’

The Tactix, who won the ANZ Premiership for the first time this season, face the prospect of losing the bulk of their starting side. Their brilliant defensive combination of Watson and Burger won’t be back, while goal shoot Ellie Bird has retired and Selby-Rickit is off to Queensland.

Tactix goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit will be the third Kiwi netballer to join Kiri Wills’ Queensland Firebirds, alongside Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon.

The Central Pulse have also been affected with their two best players, Jackson and Gordon, departing.

ANZ Premiership sides would be able to contract two import players for 2026 (up from one), which would help teams offset some of their key losses to Super Netball.

“Well, we’re certainly exploring all the options. It would be remiss of us actually if we didn’t for our fans and supporters and our partners,” Agnew said on whether the Tactix would utilise two imports.

“We are definitely working to collate the best roster we can. You know [head coach] Donna [Wilkins], she’s hugely competitive. She believes and I back her ability to create better players and to improve players.”

While some players from the second-tier National Netball League (NNL) would step up to ANZ Premiership contracts, Agnew urged caution. The intensity between the two competitions was a sizeable one. Young players would have to adjust to greater training requirements and a jump in playing standard.

“I think you can see [NNL] athletes and they do two or three weeks in the premiership really well, but I think there is a gap. There’s no doubt in terms of that sustaining performance at that premiership level across multiple weeks [is a challenge].”

AT A GLANCE:

Kiwi netballers confirmed for 2026 Super Netball:

Grace Nweke (NSW Swifts)

Kelly Jackson (Queensland Firebirds)

Maddy Gordon (Queensland Firebirds)

Kate Heffernan (Adelaide Thunderbirds)

Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Queensland Firebirds)