BREAKING NEWS: Central Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio have both criticized the lack of information regarding the future of the ANZ Premiership netball league and expressed concerns about their role in the sport’s future.
As the 2026 ANZ Premiership season reaches its conclusion, frustration over the competition’s long-term stability has come into sharp focus. Central Pulse head coach Anna Andrews-Tasola and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio have publicly highlighted the absence of clear communication from Netball New Zealand about what lies ahead for the league. Their comments reflect wider unease among players and staff who continue to compete without knowing the shape of the competition in 2027 and beyond.
The coach’s remarks were made in the final week of the regular season during a radio interview. Andrews-Tasola stated that neither the performance staff nor the athletes had received any concrete information about the league’s future. She described the situation as another period of uncertainty looming over the Pulse and questioned how netball repeatedly finds itself in such positions despite the hard work being done behind the scenes to secure its future.
These comments carry extra weight because the Pulse, like the Stars and Magic, had already been eliminated from finals contention. The final round of matches became an opportunity to finish the year with pride rather than a push for postseason success. Yet the lack of clarity about broadcast arrangements and the overall structure of the competition created an additional mental load for everyone involved.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the veteran shooter and leader who returned to the Pulse for the 2026 season, shares similar concerns about the direction of the sport. As captain and one of the most experienced figures in the squad, she has witnessed multiple cycles of uncertainty during her career. Her decision to rejoin the yellow and black was driven by passion for the club and the domestic league, yet the absence of a clear roadmap affects how players plan their careers, manage their bodies, and commit to the competition long term.
The 2026 season was always going to test the Pulse. The team underwent one of the biggest rebuilds in the league after losing several established players. Andrews-Tasola integrated new Australian midcourt talent and international signings while welcoming back Ekenasio’s leadership and finishing ability. On-court results were mixed, but the coaching staff remained focused on development and competitiveness even as off-court questions grew louder.
This is not the first time the ANZ Premiership has faced questions about its viability. The competition has operated under short-term broadcast agreements in recent years after a long partnership with Sky Sport came to an end. A significantly reduced one-year deal was in place for 2025, and similar arrangements continued into 2026 alongside a 20 percent reduction in player payments. These measures were presented as necessary steps while longer-term solutions were pursued, yet they have contributed to a sense of instability felt across all franchises.
Netball New Zealand has consistently stated that work is ongoing to secure a sustainable future for the league, including new broadcast partnerships. Officials have emphasised that negotiations are active and that the governing body remains committed to delivering a high-quality domestic competition. However, the pace at which information reaches coaches, captains and players has created friction and a perception that those most affected are being kept at arm’s length from key decisions.
For athletes such as Ekenasio, who have balanced club and international commitments, repeated periods of uncertainty complicate everything from contract negotiations to personal planning. The 35-year-old has previously spoken about prioritising her physical and mental wellbeing, including a break from Silver Ferns duties. The domestic league forms a central part of that ecosystem, and any lack of clarity around its future directly influences how players assess their options both in New Zealand and potentially overseas.
The impact extends beyond the Pulse. Across the six-team competition, coaches and players are preparing for the possibility that the current format may change or that broadcast visibility could be reduced again. Such scenarios affect sponsorship interest, fan engagement and the ability to attract emerging talent into professional pathways. The league has prided itself on developing athletes who go on to represent the Silver Ferns, yet that pathway feels less secure when the foundation competition itself remains in flux.
As the 2026 Grand Final approached, with the GoSweetSpot Mystics securing a record fourth title, attention inevitably turned to what comes next. The comments from Andrews-Tasola and Ekenasio add urgency to calls for greater transparency. Players and staff want to know the timeline for decisions on broadcast rights, salary structures and competition format so they can prepare accordingly rather than operate in a holding pattern.
The frustration expressed by the Pulse leadership is not directed at the competition itself or the quality of netball being played. Both Andrews-Tasola and Ekenasio have spoken positively about the talent and commitment within the league. Their criticism centres specifically on the communication gap and the repeated experience of uncertainty that disrupts preparation and erodes confidence in the sport’s domestic structures.
New Zealand netball continues to benefit from strong grassroots participation and growing interest in women’s sport. The ANZ Premiership remains the pinnacle of that domestic pyramid. For it to thrive, however, the organisations responsible for its governance must provide the clarity that coaches, captains and players have requested. Without it, even the most dedicated figures in the game will continue to voice their concerns about the future they are being asked to invest in.
The 2026 season delivered competitive matches, standout individual performances and memorable moments for fans. Yet the underlying questions about sustainability have not disappeared with the final whistle of the Grand Final. The candid remarks from Central Pulse’s coach and captain serve as a reminder that the sport’s on-court success ultimately depends on stable and transparent foundations off the court. Netball New Zealand now faces the task of responding with both urgency and openness if it is to retain the trust of those who deliver the product week after week.
