The Netball Super League has confirmed some drastic changes are to be implemented from next season, in yet another step towards the professionalisation of the sport within the United Kingdom.
Eight clubs have been confirmed so far for the NSL’s 2025 relaunch, in what is being described as a “new era” for netball.
One of the changes will see 50% of games in the league played in major arenas across the country, in a bid to attract bigger crowds and enhance the match day experience for those in attendance.
Another stat anticipates that the average salary for players will increase by at least 60%, as the minimum salary payment is set to more than double.
With this evolution, the 10 team format as it currently sits will be reduced to eight next season, while squad sizes will be cut from 12 to 10 registered players.
Six of those eight teams exist in the current structure, namely Leeds Rhinos, London Mavericks, London Pulse, Loughborough Lightning, Manchester Thunder and the renamed LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons.
The other two teams who will enter the league come the 2025 season are the Birmingham Panthers and Nottingham Forest Netball.
This all means Severn Stars, Strathclyde Sirens, Surrey Storm and Team Bath will be among those who will say farewell to the NSL upon the 2024 season’s conclusion, with the final league games on June 15th and the Grand Final, after a playoff series, on June 29th.
Claire Nelson, Managing Director of the NSL, spoke of the impact she hopes this revamp might have.
"Going from 10 clubs at present to eight next year will be a case of fewer, bigger, better," Nelson says.
"We have big plans as a league and believe that we have the right clubs who can come on this incredible journey with us."
Fran Connolly, Chief Executive of England Netball also described it as a “pivotal moment for our sport.”
“This is without doubt the right time, and the right thing to do for the future of our sport that will help to strengthen every area of the game and inspire generations to come."
The NSL have also committed to providing each and every game with video coverage, meaning each game will be available to watch from home.
It comes as England won a silver medal at the 2023 World Cup, 18 years on from the establishment of the NSL in 2005.
Originally it had eight teams, and increased to 10 in 2017, even adding an 11th club from 2021.
With Wasps entering administration the year after, the league reverted back to 10 teams.
It runs from February to June every year and the ‘big three’ within the league are considered to be Manchester Thunder, London Pulse and Loughborough Lightning.
