1.35pm
The Counties-Manukau Cometz will be cut from the National Bank Cup next season as Netball New Zealand (NNZ) looks to streamline the competition.
The number of teams will be reduced by one to eight and the franchises will be aligned to regions in a bid to create an elite showcase for
domestic netball.
Announcing the changes today, NNZ chief executive Shelley McMeeken, said the decision to drop Counties-Manukau Cometz franchise was part of a wide-ranging review of the competition.
"The biggest step forward is the alignment between the franchise holders in the National Bank Cup and the newly created regions," she said.
"It means that every National Bank Cup team will be connected to one or other of the 12 regions. This will create a much stronger framework for elite netball."
The review started about 12 months ago with the commissioning of an independent report on the competition from Price Waterhouse Coopers.
"We understand the Cometz players and supporters will be very disappointed to see their team go from the competition -- the players from that area can be consolidated into one of three franchises that are close by," McMeeken said.
"We acknowledge their disappointment, but believe the changes are in the long-term interests of the National Bank Cup.
"An eight-team competition means there will no byes, no double-headers and creates the least disruption to what has been an extremely successful competition for the past six years.
"We will also be introducing a seeded draw and an extended semifinals format for next year's competition.
"Eight teams also ensures geographic accessibility."
Under the new structure, the remaining eight franchises will be invited to sign-up to play in the cup for another three years.
However, under the new structure, franchises will be formally aligned to regions, similar to the Super 12 rugby competition.
"It prepares the ground for a number of exciting possibilities for this competition," McMeeken said.
- NZPA
