Jason Pine: The lack of clarity from Netball NZ is staggering

Netball New Zealand faces intense criticism for its lack of communication regarding recent decisions that have left players and stakeholders in the dark. The silence from the organization, particularly following the abrupt end of a partnership with prospective commercial partners Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray, has been described as "dereliction of duty" and "negligence." Observers note that this pattern of poor communication has persisted through various challenges, including the handling of Dame Nolene Taurua's suspension and the loss of the Sky Broadcast deal.

Jason Pine expresses disappointment in CEO Jenna Wooten, who had initially inspired hope for greater transparency within the organization. He emphasizes that leadership in sports comes with the responsibility to address difficult questions, especially when significant decisions impact players and fans alike. Pine outlines several critical questions that remain unanswered, including the rationale behind the recent decisions and the future plans for the domestic competition, which Wooten and Chair Alistair Carruthers have failed to address.

The situation raises concerns about the governance of Netball New Zealand and its commitment to its players and supporters. As the organization navigates these challenges, the demand for clarity and accountability grows, with stakeholders eager for a response that acknowledges their investment and passion for the sport.

Staggering. Utterly jaw-dropping. No communication with the players from Netball NZ, apart from the same corporate phrases they sent to the media. That is verging on dereliction of duty. Of negligence. At the very least, it's an appalling way to treat your people. The silence from Netball NZ in the last 30 hours has been extraordinary. They have clearly learnt nothing from the way they shut up shop when they stood Dame Noeline Taurua down. When they lost the Sky Sport broadcast deal. When they were looking for ways to re-frame our domestic competition. When they dilly-dallied over the changing of eligibility rules for our top players. Interview requests were met with either no response or a not-negotiable no. I had really high hopes when Jennah Wootton took over as CEO. I interviewed her shortly after she started in the job. I liked what she said, and I thought she'd provide a degree of transparency that had been missing in the organisation under her predecessor. But at the first opportunity to do so, she hasn't. The CEO and board of Netball NZ are in positions of power in a sport which is steeped in history and which hundreds of thousands of Kiwis care deeply about. Which we invest our time and money in. Which we help to pay for via Sport New Zealand funding. It is incumbent upon NNZ to front up and explain decisions of this gravity. Not via a press release, but in an interview situation where questions can be asked about the hugely significant decision they've made here. Where questions can be asked on behalf of the people this decision affects the most. You can't just front up when there's good news to talk about, you have to do it when the water is choppy as well. It might be difficult, but that comes with the territory of being in a position of power and influence – sometimes you have to do the things you don't want to do. The unpleasant things, the uncomfortable things. Here are some of the questions I would have asked if our interview request with NNZ had been granted. What were the sticking points that couldn't be worked through? Why haven't Netball NZ told Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray why they don't want to partner with them? Did they think ending the relationship via email was a professional way of dealing with a prospective commercial partner? Why haven't they kept the players regularly updated? And most pertinently: what is the plan now? Shortly after he was appointed in late April this year, Netball New Zealand chair Alastair Carruthers fronted media and promised there would be a domestic competition in 2027. It's November tomorrow; how will they now fulfil that promise? These are the questions that need answering and the ones Netball NZ CEO Jennah Wootton and chair Alastair Carruthers declined to answer for their stakeholders yesterday, and have again today. I know there are layers of confidentially at play here, but answering these questions surely doesn't breach any of them? The last line of Netball New Zealand's media release from yesterday says this: "Giving players clarity as quickly as possible is our top priority.” As we've just learned, the players were blindsided by this, and they too have been given no answers to the questions I've just asked – the ones that affect them more than anyone else. If clarity is indeed NNZ's top priority, why haven't they provided it? When it was announced on September 1st that Netball NZ would formally back the bid by Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams to establish a private franchise league, it appeared as though a solution had been found, and the competition would be saved. Netball NZ have closed the door on their white knights, which brings us back to the biggest question of all: what next? What now? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.