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SYDNEY - Australia's netball community has given a mixed and cautious reaction to the prospect of a professional trans-Tasman competition.
A new professional league including five teams each from Australia and New Zealand, and bankrolled by pay television, is expected to replace the domestic Commonwealth Bank competition from
next year.
Netball Australia has yet to confirm the new format but is expected to make an announcement in mid-March after a meeting with union officials next week.
And while the new league would see elite players - who earn between about A$2000 ($2258) and A$5000 a year - finally reaping financial rewards, there has been a mixed reaction from Australia's netball community.
Former Australian captain and current Queensland Firebirds coach Vicky Wilson warns it has implications for the depth of talent developed at elite level.
"When you've got eight teams reduced to five that's 30 players less being exposed on the international stage," she said.
"What will it mean for those teams and coaches who will miss out? I think they'll be having a lot of sleepless nights."
Reports suggest that the Sydney Swifts, Queensland Firebirds, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Phoenix and Perth Orioles are the favoured franchises, leaving out the AIS Canberra Darters, the Melbourne Kestrels and Hunter Jaegars.
Kestrels coach Jane Searle said Netball Victoria would push for two Victorian teams in the competition, and if not successful, the best players from the Phoenix and Kelstrels would be selected.
Meanwhile, Netball New South Wales said it would also fight to secure places for both its teams, the Swifts and Jaegers.
"I'm always open to new ideas and ways to improve netball and I think it's a good idea, but we have to see what the underpinning program is," Searle said.
For long-time Australian player and Swifts shooter Catherine Cox, a trans-Tasman league is well overdue.
She said she was confident Netball Australia would find an adequate structure for the teams that miss out.
"It's about time, Australia and New Zealand have the best domestic competitions in the world," Cox said.
"The opportunity to play with the best players in the world is a step forward.
"We have always known that we have had the products, it's just been about finding the right way to put it in the right direction."
Cox also dismissed criticism that the league would widen the existing gulf between the trans-Tasman rivals - New Zealand ranked No 1 and Australia No 2 in the world - and other netball nations.
Australian Netball Players' Association spokesman John-Paul Blandthorn said a number of issues would need to be considered, including sponsorship and monetary aspects, before the plan was given the green light.
"I think Netball Australia has the right idea but we need to be mindful that the structure put in place is viable," Blandthorn said.
Reports suggest the competition and broadcasting deal will be worth A$1.5 million a year to Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia with guaranteed primetime television slots until 2010.
- AAP