Banking group ANZ has agreed a deal to become the title sponsor of the Netball Elite League, New Zealand’s newly-formed domestic club competition.
The three-year deal will run from 2017 to 2020 and officially names the competition as the ANZ Netball Elite League.
The Netball Elite League has been formed following May’s decision to disband the ANZ Championship, which comprised teams from Australia and New Zealand. ANZ had served as the title sponsor of the ANZ Championship since its inception in 2008.
The new competition will be a triple round robin featuring the five New Zealand-based ANZ Championship teams, as well as a new team based in the greater Auckland area.
“ANZ, and before it the National Bank, has been a proud supporter of netball from the grassroots to the elite level for 15 years,” ANZ New Zealand chief executive David Hisco said. “It’s part of our commitment to supporting communities and the things Kiwis are passionate about. Netball is New Zealand’s No.1 female sport, and is followed by 1.3 million Kiwis. This new sponsorship will promote netball’s profile and continuing advancement in this country and support a pathway for the development of future Silver Ferns.”
Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie added: “Netball New Zealand has been working closely with ANZ to create the world’s most intensely fought, captivating and innovative female sports league, featuring the world’s best players. We are genuinely excited about the new-look competition and believe it is the best step forward for Netball in New Zealand. This is an important focus for New Zealand to strengthen performance pathways and increase quality of players, coaches and officials.”