Factual. Independent. Impartial.
Support AAP with a free or paid subscription
Sport
Melissa Woods

Super Netball eyes expansion, seeking two new teams

Melbourne Mavericks joined Super Netball in 2024, but two new sides could be added to the league. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Super Netball could have two additional teams by 2027 with Netball Australia calling for expressions of interest to expand the competition.

The league is currently operating with eight teams, with the Melbourne Mavericks the most recent to join the competition last year.

They effectively replaced Collingwood, who handed back their licence at the end of the 2023 season after seven years.

vixens
Melbourne Vixens, who won the 2025 competition, could soon have more competition in Victoria. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

But with more international players joining the world's strongest league and demand from Australian players and fans growing, NA is also keen to keep rival competitions like the AFLW from raiding the talent pool.

The NA board hasn't approved expansion but it has "formally endorsed the strategic intent to explore and evaluate opportunities for growth" and is expected to sign off.

The governing body announced they are inviting expressions of interest (EOI) from qualified organisations and consortia seeking to secure a new team owner licence.

This follows the release of a 10-year strategic plan this week to entrench Super Netball as Australia’s most popular women’s sports league and have the Diamonds become the most-recognised national women’s sports team.

When the Mavericks owned by media mogul Craig Hutchison's Sport Entertainment Network won the last bid, Netball Victoria had made a submission for the eighth licence for a regional-based team in the state’s western corridor in Geelong, Ballarat or Bendigo.

Netball Tasmania has also previously signalled interest in joining Super Netball.

Netball Australia boss Stacey West said the EOI process reflected the ambition of the sport which had record-breaking attendance at games this season, including a sold-out grand-final crowd of more than 15,000.

Stacey West
Netball Australia boss Stacey West believes Super Netball can successfully expand. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

“The Suncorp Super Netball League has never been stronger ... it is clear the league has grown significantly over the past decade,” West said in a statement on Friday.

“As we look toward the next era, it is vital that any expansion is strategic, sustainable and aligned with the long-term vision of Australian netball.

“Investing in women’s sport presents a dynamic space for innovation, growth and purpose, and we look forward to engaging with interested parties as we consider the next stage of evolution for SSN.”

License this article

Sign up to read this article for free
Choose between a free or paid subscription to AAP News
Start reading
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on AAP right now