Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury netball associations have joined forces with the Penrith Panthers to form two teams for the inaugural Netball NSW Premier League.
The Panthers is one of eight franchises to be admitted to the competition on a two-year license and will have an opens and an under-20s team.
Australian Diamonds player Paige Hadley was a guest at Pepper Stadium last Thursday, as the club held its official launch.
As part of the partnership, the Penrith Panthers have agreed to a sponsorship deal worth $160,000 over four years.
The new format will begin with a preseason tournament, which has been scheduled from March 2-23 next year.
This will be followed by the 14-week regular season beginning on April 18.
The aim of the competition is to attract the best current and emerging talent within NSW and work as a stepping-stone for players, coaches and officials to the Australian Netball League (ANL) and subsequent ANZ Championship.
"With participation and interest in netball at an all-time high, the introduction of the Netball NSW Premier League is an exciting development for the sport within NSW," said Netball NSW executive officer and NNSWPL commissioner Carolyn Campbell.
"While we have, and will continue to run successful competitions, we see the Netball NSW Premier League playing a vital role in retaining our state's emerging and elite talent pool while providing the high-level competition which aspiring athletes, coaches and officials require for higher accolades."