Former Silver Fern Maia Wilson more confused after meeting with Netball NZ

Former Silver Fern Maia Wilson says if she was still in high school now, she would have taken up a basketball scholarship to America that was once offered to her as a 17-year-old.On Friday, RNZ revealed Netball NZ had abandoned plans to privatise the elite competition, just eight weeks after signing a non-binding term sheet with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams over a privately run league.The collapse of the deal blindsided players, already facing months of uncertainty over their professional futures.Mowbray and Williams said they were devastated by the decision, claiming they were given no explanation for Netball NZ's decision to walk away.On Monday, Netball NZ chief executive Jennah Wootten told RNZ the pair drifted too far away from the key elements of the original agreed terms, ultimately prompting the board to pull the plug on the deal.Netball New Zealand held an online meeting with the players on Monday night and Wilson told RNZ's Morning Report that Wootten apologised that they learned about the collapse of the proposed league via the media."There definitely is a lack of trust between a lot of the playing group and Netball New Zealand right now," Wilson said.The national body said it was already working on an alternative plan to ensure an elite domestic competition could go ahead in 2027 and was working closely with the six franchises."I personally asked the question about is it more likely that it's amateur league and again, those questions right now couldn't be answered. So I don't feel like I've got any more information apart from an apology from last night's meeting."The 29-year-old, who has played more than 150 National League games, said she didn't know where she stood now and wondered if she needed to get a full-time job.The 52 Test cap Silver Fern said she left the meeting feeling more confused, "and probably just a lot more unsure about where this league or what 2027 looks like".At the age of 16, Wilson debuted for the Tall Ferns.In her final year of high school Wilson turned down a very lucrative basketball scholarship at the University of Idaho.Instead the multi-talented sportswoman signed with the Central Pulse for the 2016 ANZ netball championship season."If this was happening when I was growing up in high school, I would have taken a basketball scholarship to America."Silver Fern Parris Mason does not have a contract yet for 2027.Marty Melville /PhotosportWilson said she was concerned about the impact on netball pathways in New Zealand."It's impacting my livelihood right now, but I'm really worried about the future ... those five and six-year-olds that want to become a Silver Fern."Wilson said if the league becomes amateur, New Zealand will continue to lose players to competitions overseas or they will walk away from the game entirely.But Parris Mason, Martina Salmon, and Peta Toeava who were part of the Silver Ferns team that won the Constellation Cup 3-1 against Australia last week, don't have overseas contracts in 2027."Those three who didn't take up opportunities elsewhere because they wanted to come to the elite domestic game here in New Zealand. And then there's people like myself, like I'm not ready to retire. I wanted to keep contributing and ... I guess [be] a kaitiaki (guardian) in this space."Wilson said players made it clear at the meeting on Monday they they want to help."There's definitely an aim to work with Netball New Zealand to try and make whatever we can to bring this elite domestic competition alive. And if there's anything that we can do to advocate alongside them or anything like that, then we're so willing."