dynamic in terms of our leadership, innovation and operational excellence. These are all things we’ve had to be true to this year.
Cancelling domestic events allowed us to focus on the community game, and lessen the burden on delivery. It was distressing knowing our Netball courts were empty and the opportunities for our young players were taken away. After the nationwide lockdown, there was an urgency and desire to put that back in place.
Popoia was met with an overwhelming sense of unity. This went a long way for us in 2020, setting the foundation that, as a collective, we are stronger than we are on our own. As part of the Silver Ferns’ brand project, the Pure As series was launched in February. An initiative inspired by the NNZ communications and marketing team after the Netball World Cup, the series featured Dame Noeline and a selection of Silver Ferns sharing their respective Netball journeys. Launched through SilverFans.co.nz and screened on Sky Television, Pure As drew an outstanding response. Viewers were moved by the heartwarming and inspiring experiences of those involved in the World Cup victory. This coincided with another spectacular occasion for Netball – a stellar night at the 57th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards. The Halbergs Awards are the country’s pre-eminent celebration of New Zealand sporting achievements. On an unforgettable night for our sport, Dame Noeline was named 2019 Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year, and was recognised with the Sport NZ Leadership Award. The resurgent Silver Ferns then clinched the Team of the Year title and the Sky Sport Moment of the Year, voted by the public. In another highlight for Netball, former Silver Ferns player and coach Yvonne Willering was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, for her enormous contribution to Netball. To complete a perfect evening, the Silver Ferns went home with the Halberg Supreme Award – a phenomenal achievement which touched many. It
We live this game.
The Power of Pure As • Over 1.4 million video views on Silver Ferns channels • G lobal reach 3.3 million • 10,000 new SilverFans sign-ups • All 6 episodes picked up by mainstream media and Sky Sport • Significant increase in followers for Silver Ferns and athlete channels
• International recognition from INF and partner countries
was so humbling for our sport to be recognised across so many categories. And then, everything changed rapidly as COVID-19 took hold around the globe. As New Zealand went into lockdown, NNZ had something of a reference point – as an organisation that has had to adapt and evolve in recent years. And while we’d built the foundation for change, this was different to anything we’d ever encountered before. However, as a team we came together and worked through each challenge. This has been a very tough period. Tough on everyone, but particularly those who have been so impacted by the losses we have suffered. Losing staff from our Zones and Netball Centres has been incredibly difficult. It was devastating
when Mainland Netball went into voluntary liquidation, but as a result, we are building ourselves to be stronger and better. We are grateful to the Mainland Board for guiding us through the process, and for the leadership they demonstrated. We were also forced to make tough calls around the programmes we’d planned to run. And to ensure we didn’t face the worst financial scenario, we went hard. That distilled our focus to participation opportunities, the delivery of the ANZ Premiership and a reduced Silver Ferns programme. We were very mindful of the financial-related burdens on Centres set to host events like the NZ Secondary School champs, age-group champs and the inaugural Open Champs. Our decisions provided some surety for Centres and their future planning.
At a time when so many members were struggling financially, we also decided that NNZ wouldn’t charge membership fees. Ensuring our fees were reduced materially went to the heart of Poipoia – making sure our game remained accessible and affordable while providing participation opportunities in 2020 where possible.
Changes in Alert Levels meant the draw
tenure with the team. She now focuses
was reshuffled – with the first six weeks
her attention on guiding the NZU21
played at the Auckland Netball Centre,
team’s preparation ahead of the 2021
which partnered with NNZ staff to do
Netball World Youth Cup in Fiji.
the lion’s share of running games. We give our thanks to the Auckland Netball Centre organisers for their enthusiasm and hands-on involvement. Matches were played on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with chartered flights allowing out-of-town teams to travel safely. The level of detail to meet all COVID-19 requirements was carried out to the highest of standards.
We feel very privileged that the ANZ Premiership was the only Netball competition run in the world during 2020 that enjoyed the spectacle of full crowds. In another inspired move, the NNZ High Performance team, led by Dame Noeline, worked out how, in this uncertain environment, she could continue to grow the base of elite players, coaches and
The second half of the ANZ Premiership
managers by giving them opportunities.
returned to the regions. This was an important time for teams to
So, the Silver
Our decisions provided some surety for Centres and their future planning.”
The second lockdown really took its toll on the Auckland region. Some players only had a few games this year and it was really felt at Centre level. We would like to acknowledge everyone for their work, in particular those Centres which had to cancel seasons.
reconnect with their
For a long time, it seemed unlikely we would stage the ANZ Premiership in 2020. It was a sobering prospect, planning for ‘what does this look like if there’s no Netball this year?’ – whether it be community or elite. But again, we regrouped and introduced different ways to connect with our community.
Unfortunately, we were unable to
From that emerged NETFIT – streamed and screened live on Sky Sport, demonstrating Netball remained relevant even in our changed circumstances. There was huge willingness and creativity to ensure a televised show went on air during the lockdown. Liaising with Melbourne from their home offices in New Zealand, our NNZ staff made sure that Netball enthusiasts, the young in particular, could participate in original content and activities while stuck at home.
supporters and play in front of home crowds again. We saw big turnouts on game day as
have full crowds at the Finals Series in Invercargill due to Alert Level 2 restrictions. It was still a great spectacle. Congratulations to Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for winning
the NZU21 teams came together for two intense and challenging training camps ahead of two Cadbury Netball Series. This was a
the public embraced the nationwide return of elite-level Netball.
Ferns, NZA and
bold and innovative move which proved a great success with outstanding benefits. Those benefits were far-reaching, with players across the three teams interchanging during the series. All ANZ Premiership coaches were also involved through both series.
back-to-back titles, and we acknowledge
The first Cadbury Netball Series in
outgoing coach Yvette McCausland-
Palmerston North, featured over 40
Durie, for her successful four-year
athletes across the Silver Ferns, NZA
Once the ANZ Premiership was given the green light to resume, we were able to get a largely uninterrupted season to the finish line.
Netball New Zealand Annual Report 2020
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