The ANZ Championship is the pre-eminent netball league in the world. The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by ten teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand. The competition is administered by Trans Tasman Netball League, which was formed as a joint venture by the netball governing bodies of both countries. ANZ Bank has been naming sponsors of the competition since its inaugural season.
The ANZ Championship was launched in 2008 as a successor to the Commonwealth Bank Trophy in Australia and the National Bank Cup in New Zealand, both of which were retired after 2007. The ANZ Championship saw netball become a semi-professional sport in both countries, with increased media coverage and player salaries. The current champions are the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, who defeated the Melbourne Vixens in the grand final of the 2012 season.
Read more about ANZ Championship: Teams, Format, Media Coverage, Champions and Minor Premiers, Rivalries