New Zealand's leading netballers are preparing to head offshore in unprecedented numbers as the future of the country's elite domestic competition remains uncertain.This week will provide the clearest picture yet of the scale of the talent drain facing Netball New Zealand, after the contracting window for the Australian league opened on Monday.According to netball officials, upwards of 15 players are expected to take up contracts overseas in 2027 - the vast majority bound for Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition, while three are understood to have deals lined up in the United Kingdom.The expected exodus comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of the ANZ Premiership. Without a broadcast deal in place for next season, Netball NZ has been unable to provide any assurances there will be an elite domestic competition next year.Follow the player movement below:Former Silver Ferns skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio has signed a one-year deal with the West Coast Fever in Australia.Michael Bradley Photography LtdConfirmed signingsEkenasio joins West Coast FeverFormer Silver Ferns skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio was the first of several new Kiwi players expected to announced they are joining the SSN this week, when it was confirmed on Wednesday she has signed a one-year deal with the West Coast Fever.Ekenasio elected to step away from the Silver Ferns last year, saying she needed a break "for my mind, body and spirit".The 35-year-old has stated in the past her desire to play in the Australian league and has undoubtedly been pursued by clubs across the Tasman in previous seasons.But confronted with the possibility of no elite domestic competition in New Zealand next year, Ekenasio faced potential retirement unless she jumped across the ditch.The confident long-range shooter will play alongside prolific Jamaican goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.In a statement accompanying her signing, Ekenasio said she was excited by the opportunity to grow her game."Being able to play with Jhaniele will be special as well, that circle will be a lot of fun," she said."I'm someone who is all in and to be able to come over and experience a new environment is a privilege, I just want to work hard to be my best for Fever and play great netball."Star defender Kelly Jackson will return for another year at the Queensland Firebirds.Marty MelvilleJackson back at FirebirdsThe Queensland Firebirds will welcome back star defender Kelly Jackson for the 2027 Super Netball season.The Silver Ferns defender returns to Brisbane after a stellar first campaign in purple, in which she swept the club's end of season awards, including being named most valuable player.Firebirds' head coach Kiri Wills said securing Jackson's signature for another season was a huge result for the franchise."Kelly's impact in her first season with us was simply extraordinary," Wills said."To sweep our end-of-season awards in your debut year and then go on to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the Silver Ferns tells you everything about the calibre of player and person we have in Kelly Jackson."Burger re-signs with LightningSilver Ferns skipper Karin Burger has signed for a second season with the Sunshine Coast Lightning.The Lightning announced on Monday the world class defender had been retained after impressing in her maiden season at the Queensland franchise this season.Burger will again pair up with Australian Diamonds defender Courtney Bruce in the Lightning defensive circle, forming one of the strongest defensive combinations in the league.UnconfirmedStar shooter Grace Nweke, whose decision to play in the SSN helped pave the way for other New Zealand players to explore opportunities in Australia, is on the move in 2027. The NSW Swifts confirmed over the weekend that Silver Ferns' linchpin would not be returning for a third season with the club.Reports out of Australia suggest Nweke will join cross town rivals the Sydney Sirens, formerly known as the Giants, who have new owners at the helm.Silver Ferns midcourter Maddy Gordon will also turn out for a new SSN club in 2027. Gordon's club, the Queensland Firebirds, announced on Tuesday the versatile midcourter was exiting the franchise after one season. She has been linked to a move to the Fever, where she will play alongside her former Central Pulse teammate, Ekenasio.Midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan is understood to have signed with the Melbourne Vixens for 2027.www.photosport.nz / Bruce WhiteThere has been speculation in Australia that Mila Reuelu-Buchanan - one of the revelations of the Silver Ferns' Commonwealth Games campaign - will replace Gordon at the Firebirds. However, RNZ understands Reuelu-Buchanan has signed with this year's beaten finalists, the Melbourne Vixens.Fellow Silver Ferns' midcourter Kimiora Poi, is understood to be joining the Firebirds, where she will link up with New Zealand coach Kiri Wills.Poi previously had a brief stint in the SSN competition in 2019 when she played for the now defunct Collingwood Magpies as a temporary injury replacement player.There will likely once again be a strong Kiwi contingent at the Firebirds, with Jackson's return confirmed, while former Silver Ferns shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit is also expected to re-sign in 2027.Also expected to return to her club in 2027 is Kate Heffernan, who was one of the stars of the Adelaide Thunderbirds' championship-winning run this year.The versatile midcourter is understood to be joined in the Australian league next year by twin sister Georgia Heffernan, who is rumoured to have signed with the Lightning.Georgia stamped her mark on the Ferns' goal attack bib in Glasgow, forming a strong combination with shooter Grace Nweke.The 26-year-old overcame an ankle injury in pool play and went on to play nearly every minute of the semi-final and final.