NSL 2.0: The Future of Women's Netball
Netball has often been deemed the sport that girls had to play. As other women's sports are rapidly growing, it is now time for netball to prove it is a sport that women want to play – and it is doing exactly that.
The Netball Super League (NSL), the top-level netball competition in the UK, relaunched on 8 March 2025. Following in the footsteps of other netball leagues internationally, such as the SunCorp Super Netball league in Australia, the relaunch (known as NSL 2.0) is set to elevate professional netball in the UK with the hope of becoming the “most captivating, commercially vibrant and competitive league in the world”1.
Background
An independent review into the professionalisation of the NSL was commissioned by England Netball in 2021, during which key stakeholders and the Netball Players Association were consulted to discuss the long-term development of professional netball in the UK2. This review came at a time when there was significant momentum in the sport, particularly in the wake of the England Roses' victory at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Subsequently, England Netball launched its “Adventure Strategy”, and the development of NSL 2.0 began.
Commercial Growth
Since its inception, the NSL has seen significant growth in terms of visibility, commercial value, and talent. NSL 2.0 signals a renewed commitment to promoting the sport, enhancing its competitive appeal and broadening its fan base. For example, the NSL has successfully signed high-profile commercial partnerships, such as its deal with Sky Sports, which began in 2020 and significantly increased the league's exposure on television. All matches will be shown on television this season – the BBC will show 25% and Sky Sports recently announced that its coverage will be extended to ensure 75% of games in the 2025 season are available to watch live on TV or various streaming services3. This partnership has not only enhanced the league's visibility but has also provided a model for other women's sports leagues in the UK seeking similar broadcast deals.
Whilst the globalisation of the NSL brand has increased awareness of the league within the global sporting landscape, NSL 2.0 also presents more opportunities closer to home. Not only have the stalwart teams of the league remained such as Manchester Thunder, Leeds Rhinos and London Pulse, there are two new teams: Birmingham Panthers and Nottingham Forest Netball. Birmingham Panthers has recently announced a new partnership with the University of Wolverhampton. This three-year partnership has established the University's Walsall Campus as the official training base for the Panthers, marking “a shared commitment to fostering excellence, innovation, and community engagement”4. In addition, the collaboration will offer students industry placements in Performance Analysis, Sports Therapy and Strength and Conditioning, “empowering the next generation of talent”5.
NSL 2.0 also features something different: a cross-over between the Premier League, the top tier of English football, and professional netball. Taking notice of netball's popularity in the UK, with annual participation of three million and over 8.5 million people viewing the sport on TV each year, Nottingham Forest FC has transcended into the world of netball by launching its own NSL team, Nottingham Forest Netball6. This expansion into netball will no doubt present new commercial opportunities for prospective partners of the club, one of the key benefits of diversifying their sporting portfolio.
Structure
With the professionalisation of the NSL, its governance has come under greater scrutiny. England Netball is the sport's national governing body that has overseen NSL 2.0's development and will be responsible for continuously collaborating with each of the league's teams to ensure a smooth transition to the new league structure in which there is greater fairness, transparency and accountability for all participants, stakeholders and fans.
One way in which there will be greater fairness and transparency is how players will be remunerated. As part of NSL 2.0, new salary caps and banding structures are being introduced. In addition, salaries are set to increase by at least 60%, with the lowest salaries more than doubling7.
Furthermore, how talent is distributed within the league has changed. Now that there are only eight clubs as opposed to ten, fewer players in the league will increase the quality of games and competitiveness amongst players. Squad sizes have also been reduced to ten players, which means that the most talented players are more likely to be dispersed across the teams and not concentrating so much in the top teams.
All eyes on the court
The first round of games of the inaugural NSL 2.0 season kicked off on 15 and 16 March 2025, marking the start of what is set to be a thrilling season. Adding an extra edge to the game, the “supershot” has been introduced for all NSL 2.0 games from March 2025, where teams can score two-goal shots from the outer edge of the shooting circle as well as the usual one goal shot from closer to the net in the last five minutes of each quarter”8.
It really is an exciting time to be part of netball in the UK as NSL 2.0 hopes to improve the netball experience for all involved, whether that be the players, stakeholders or the fans. NSL 2.0 also presents an opportunity to raise the standard of the England Roses through the increased quality and competitiveness of the league. The impact of the relaunch will ultimately be tested on the global stage at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, where the England Roses will be hoping to reclaim the title.
1Sky Sports (2025), “Sky Sports to treble coverage of Netball Super League in updated rights agreement”
2Netball Super League (2023), “England Netball announces a new era for the NSL with first step in the drive towards professionalisation”
3Sky Sports (2025), “Sky Sports to treble coverage of Netball Super League in updated rights agreement”
4Birmingham Panthers (2025), “Birmingham Panthers and University of Wolverhampton Announce New Partnership”
5Sky Sports (2025), “Sky Sports to treble coverage of Netball Super League in updated rights agreement”
6Insider Sport (2024), “Nottingham Forest begins multi-sport plans with netball team addition”
7Netball Super League (2024), “Clubs confirmed for relaunched Netball Super League'”
8Sky Sports (2024), “Netball Super League introduces two-goal Super Shot for 2025 as part of revamp”
