‘Something new’: Super Netball readies for a shake-up

Sebastian Tan | March 13, 2026

Inspired by the “best shooter in the world” and with the Commonwealth Games in the back of her mind, Kate Heffernan knew she had to take a leap of faith and move to Australia.

“I was getting to that stage in my career where I just needed something new, a new challenge to see how much further I could take my game,” the New Zealander told AAP ahead of her debut with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

“Super Netball is like (playing) internationals week in and week out. You can’t get much better preparation for the international season than that.”

This year’s Super Netball season, which kicks off on Saturday afternoon, features nine Kiwi imports after Netball New Zealand relaxed its rules to allow players to feature in the Australian competition.

It was all sparked by star shooter Grace Nweke’s shock move to the NSW Swifts before last season.

“Grace (Nweke) has definitely led the way, and her being just the quality player that she is … she’s reaped the rewards,” Heffernan said.

“She’s already the best shooter in the world.”

With the Commonwealth Games beginning in July, Heffernan believes this season can take the world No.2 New Zealanders to another level, as they gun for a first gold medal since 2010.

But there has been criticism that the move will limit the options for home-grown Australian talent to make an impact on the league, while the Silver Ferns earn regular playing time against the world No.1 Diamonds ahead of the Games.

However, Netball Australia’s chief executive Stacey West says this season is about cementing the sport in Australia, and that the Kiwis will play a big part in that. 

It comes as the organisation looks to expand the league as soon as next season and continues to push for the sport’s inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“We’ve got the best athletes coming across the Tasman, and it further strengthens the league,” West told AAP.

“The diversity of these athletes, the journey they’ve been on, the stories we can share only further strengthens how impactful netball is here in Australia.”

Diamonds captain Liz Watson says there’s a big unknown with how the New Zealanders will fare, although she believes they will help the league evolve.

Watson also expects the NZ players to bring their signature defence and physicality, something she’ll have to be wary of because her Sunshine Coast Lightning outfit is without the retired Steph Fretwell.

“The first thing to notice is that we can never replace Steph. She was such an incredible player,” Watson told AAP.

“We’ve all got to pick up that off-court leadership, all the stuff Steph was really good at in just bringing a club together and embracing everyone.”