Netball: Ineligible player rulings to remain

The controversial ineligible player rulings are here to stay after ANZ Championship organisers failed to find a workable solution to the issues that have plagued New Zealand franchises for the first two seasons.

The transtasman netball board had initially sought to frame a consistent rule that could apply across Australia and New Zealand. But after months of debate the league office was unable to find an alternative to please everyone.

The application of the rules in New Zealand, where the prevalence of Pacific Island players who are not eligible to represent the Silver Ferns but are still New Zealand citizens, has been a problem.

The competition rules allow for every franchise to contract up to two ineligible players, but teams can sign a second import only with the approval of their respective national bodies.

However Netball New Zealand placed the added stipulation on its teams that the first allowable ineligible player must be a New Zealand resident. Therefore Netball NZ has the right to veto any attempt by a Kiwi franchise to sign an overseas-based player.

This has proved unpopular with many franchises.

Southern Steel chief executive Julie Paterson said she was disappointed league organisers were keeping with the status quo.

Paterson, who advocated the rule be changed to allow simply one ineligible player as of right, believes the current rules heavily disadvantage New Zealand teams in the recruiting of overseas players as they cannot guarantee them a spot in their roster until they get approval from the national body.

Netball New Zealand will not approve an ineligible player until after all the franchises have submitted their preliminary squads.

One change that will be put in place for next season is a rescue package for the Central Pulse.

The competition will introduce a number of concessions aimed at improving the on-court performance of teams at the lower end of the ladder to be implemented for the 2010 season.

Any team that finishes ninth or 10th for consecutive seasons will be able to contract two ineligible players and can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to go towards improving on-court performance.