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'Unsettling': Mystics captain on ANZ Premiership’s murky future

Author
Nathan Limm,
Publish Date
Fri, 25 Apr 2025, 2:22pm

'Unsettling': Mystics captain on ANZ Premiership’s murky future

Author
Nathan Limm,
Publish Date
Fri, 25 Apr 2025, 2:22pm

Northern Mystics captain  admits the lack of communication about the future of the ANZ Premiership is troubling.

Netball New Zealand  beyond the expiration of their current broadcast deal with Sky this year.

NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said they are considering several competition options for 2026.

Sokolich-Beatson told Newstalk ob体育接口 that NNZ has not said anything to the players.

Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson: 'The people that make the decisions will make the right decision.' Photo / PhotosportMystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson: 'The people that make the decisions will make the right decision.' Photo / Photosport

鈥淣ot that I鈥檝e heard, which is kind of unsettling. But I also understand the lay of the land. It is what it is and I鈥檓 sure they鈥檒l give us an update when they鈥檝e got one themselves.鈥

The uncertainty has prompted some to look abroad, with former Stars coach  in Australia鈥檚 Super Netball.

Sokolich-Beatson admits her offshore prospects might be limited.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I鈥檇 be wanted overseas. I鈥檓 28 now. Teams might not want to invest in an older player. Teams like to invest in youth because you can get more out of them.鈥

The Mystics skipper is keeping faith in Wyllie, despite the lack of communication.

Sokolich-Beatson said she is sure the NNZ chief executive has the best interests of the players at heart.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what she鈥檚 dealing with behind the scenes, but I鈥檓 sure she鈥檒l do the best thing she can for us as players and for netball in New Zealand.鈥

Sokolich-Beatson said she thought players were under the impression 鈥渢he people that make the decisions will make the right decision 鈥 whatever that may be with what they have on offer鈥.

Preseason has looked a little different for the Mystics in 2026 after  and Phoenix Karaka on maternity leave.

Midcourter Peta Toeava has been training at goal attack, with a new-look shooting circle taking shape.

Usually a wing attack, Toeava is loving the change, Sokolich-Beatson said.

Northern Mystics' Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava. Photo / PhotosportNorthern Mystics' Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava. Photo / Photosport

鈥淧eta would love to be a goal attack fulltime, I think. She鈥檚 practising her shooting all the time so for us it gives another option. Is she our first go-to goal attack? No. Is she our second? Probably not. But she鈥檚 there as a third back-up if we need her.鈥

Sokolich-Beatson said they only have three shooters 鈥 Donnell Wallam, Filda Vui and Hannah Glen.

鈥淚f one of them gets injured or goes down, then we only have two. Then you鈥檝e got no changes, nothing to fall back on. We鈥檝e been in that situation before and it hasn鈥檛 served us well.鈥

The ANZ Premiership starts on May 10.

 has been a Multimedia Journalist with Newstalk ob体育接口 and New Zealand鈥檚 Herald since 2020.

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