Relief for netball fraternity as orange light move locked in

Confirmation of the move to the orange light setting comes as a relief to the country’s top netballers – and the sports administrators.

With the national premiership played indoors, it was the lone major competition unable to lift crowd limits when outdoor restrictions were dropped late last month.

While the likes of Super Rugby and international cricket have welcomed back thousands of fans, a maximum of just 200 have been allowed into netball matches.

Netball New Zealand boss Jennie Wyllie said, although it had been a long time coming, the change would make the world of difference for the sport.

“To be able to have the noise, the excitement, to be able to look after our [commercial] partners and to allow the athletes to have their family and friends with them.

“It makes such a big difference, and it will definitely help the teams financially as well.”

That financial impact would perhaps be the most welcome.

Wyllie said although some franchises had been creative, for most, staying afloat had been a big strain.

“It has probably been the hardest year yet in terms of financial impact, but also the impact on the welfare of players, management and umpires as well.

“Everyone is on tenterhooks … [so] this does provide some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz

But Wyllie was also staying cautious.

With more than half-a-dozen premiership matches postponed through the first five rounds, she said they knew better than most no-one could predict what would play out with the pandemic.

“[The number of postponements] would indicate a high proportion of our athletes have come through the worst of the illnesses and impacts on their teams.

“We’re pretty hopeful we will be able to get through to the end of the season, but also mindful we don’t know what is going to play out, what second waves might look like, when booster shots were had and therefore where immunity might be impacted.

“We’ve got a watching brief on it, but pretty comfortable we’ll be able to find our way through to the end.”

The first game to enjoy unlimited crowds was set to take place on Saturday afternoon, when the Tactix hosted the Northern Stars in Christchurch.

The other round six matches featured the Steel against the Mystics in Invercargill on Sunday afternoon, while the Magic were at home against the Pulse on Monday night.