Netball Australia hits back over $15 million sponsorship furore

The $15 million sponsorship controversy for Netball Australia (NA) looks set to come to a head this week, with players to meet with Hancock Prospecting bosses in the coming days.

The Diamonds have been rocked by a week of on-court defeats and off-court controversy around the new partnership with Hancock Prospecting, the mining company of billionaire Gina Rinehart.

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Hancock has agreed to a four-year, $15 million sponsorship deal with the cash-strapped governing body, with Netball Australia suffering losses of more than $7 million over the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Diamonds players reportedly refused to wear new uniforms with the logo of the sponsor after siding with Indigenous squad member Donnell Wallam, who has raised concerns over the company's record on Indigenous matters.

The situation took a dramatic turn on Monday when Marina Go stepped down as chair of Netball Australia amid the ongoing controversy.

However, NA has defended its partnership with the mining giant and says reports of a widespread player protest are wide of the mark.

The governing body has conceded there is a divide between playing group and the team's new sponsor, with talks aimed at resolving the issue this week.

Diamonds skipper Liz Watson said the playing group supported the sponsorship deal, but also understood the concerns of Indigenous player, Wallam.

Hancock representatives addressed the Australian team on Tuesday morning and Watson said all parties "wanted to make it work".

"As players we do know that Hancock is such a great investment for our program," Watson said on Tuesday ahead of the team's third Test in the Constellation Cup series against New Zealand in Melbourne.

"We are supportive of Hancock and all the players here are as well."

Wallam is not part of the Constellation Cup playing group and will join the squad for the series against England which starts later this month.

When she makes her debut, the West Australian goal shooter, who plays for the Queensland Firebirds, will become the first Indigenous Test player in more than 20 years.

When the sponsorship was announced, Wallam raised concerns over Hancock Prospecting's record on Indigenous matters, which date back 40 years to extreme right-wing comments made by Rinehart's late father Lang Hancock.

Watson said the players wanted to stand by Wallam, who is reluctant to wear the sponsor's logo.

"She's part of this program, she knows where we stand, and we're supporting Donnell with everything that's going on. I'm confident that we will get a solution on this," Watson said.

"We're supporting her cultural sensitivities around the program, around the partnership, and we want her to be herself and feel comfortable and strong. I know that the girls are supportive of that."

NA said on Tuesday it had been decided it was not in the "best interests" of the players to wear the branded uniform as it could prove a distraction, and this was supported by the sponsor.

Incoming NA chair Wendy Archer, who replaced Marina Go on Monday, said it was a priority to address and resolve player concerns about the partnership as soon as possible.

"Netball Australia has continually attempted to understand, support and work on a long-term solution to this matter which at this time remains unresolved," Archer said in a statement.

Archer also denied suggestions that players were not consulted before the governing body signed off on the sponsorship deal with the mining giant.

The sponsorship agreement with Hancock Prospecting has been described as "groundbreaking" for Netball Australia, which found itself in financial turmoil largely due to the costs associated with Australia's domestic competition, Super Netball.

Backlash over Netball Australia sponsorship deal

However, environmental concerns have been raised about Netball Australia striking a deal with a mining giant, while Hancock Prospecting's record on Indigenous affairs has also come under question.

Former Diamonds captain Sharni Norder (nee Layton) spoke to Diamonds player in the build-up to the Constellation Cup series about her opposition to the dal with Rinehart's company.

“This is a company that doesn’t suit Netball Australia’s values," said Norder, a Sports Environment Alliance ambassador.

“We’ve always stood up for social justice, we’ve always been anti-gambling, no smoking... and there were, and are, other avenues to source sponsorship.

“Lang Hancock’s past and what he said in regard to Indigenous people is just not suitable for Australian sport. Netball Australia has always tried to be inclusive... we now have Donnell (Wallam) in the team.

“This is not a respectful way to act and even if Donnell wasn’t in the team, we must do better."

Netball Australia says the issue will be resolved at the end of the Constellation Cup series.

Rinehart and Hancock also sponsor the Australian Olympic Committee, Volleyball Australia, Rowing Australia, Synchronised Swimming Australia and Swimming Western Australia - all of whom are likely to be watching this episode closely.

The Diamonds will play their first home Tests since 2019 when the Constellation Cup concludes in Melbourne on Wednesday and the Gold Coast on Sunday.

After losing the opening two matches to a sharper and more precise Silver Ferns outfit, the Diamonds need two strong wins to claim back the trophy.

with agencies

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