How Aussie netball has been left in chaos as stars slam ‘unfair’ offer to boost their shockingly low pay packets

The pay dispute between Super Netball players and Netball Australia has left the sport in limbo after negotiations broke down again, with stars blasting the “unfair” offer presented to them.

Australia’s professional netballers are technically unemployed after their contracts with Super Netball expired on September 30, and new deals cannot be signed without a collective agreement from the players.

It has caused huge headaches for the country’s biggest stars, who are preparing to face New Zealand in the Constellation Cup which begins on Thursday before an international series with South Africa.

The Australian Netball Players’ Association said negotiations “failed” between the two sides, with players rejecting a 10 per cent increase that would have taken the minimum base salary to $44,000.

“The Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) advises that discussions with Netball Australia to ensure an equitable partnership between players and administrators have failed,” the ANPA statement said.

Pay negotiations between players and Australian netball’s governing body have broken down (pictured, stars Steph Wood, left, and Liz Watson)

The Australian Netball Players’ Association has rejected a 10 per cent increase in the minimum base salary to $44,000 (pictured, Australian stars celebrate after winning the World Cup in August)

“NA has rejected a true player partnership model. There is also a dynamic in these negotiations whereby the actors believe they have gone out of their way and made significant concessions to reach an agreement without reciprocity.

“For these reasons, stakeholders are now calling for mediation to achieve meaningful and equitable progress.

“Our requests are very modest and adapted to the difficult financial circumstances of the time,” added the players.

“It is also disappointing that NA is saying ‘no’ to a player partnership model that aligns the interests of both parties in good times and bad.

“What the players are saying is: ‘We would like to share the good times that we helped build and we will share the risks when times get tough.’

“We cannot, in good conscience, lock players into an unfair three-year deal that does not reflect their value and contribution.”

Netball Australia has released its own statement saying it is “disappointed” that players have rejected a groundbreaking proposal.

“Since February, Netball Australia and the Super Netball clubs have been attempting to reach a resolution with the ANPA on a new CPA,” the statement said.

Players are calling for mediation to make “meaningful and fair progress” and end the current situation, which means they are technically unemployed

“Throughout the negotiations, Netball Australia and the Clubs have made significant concessions in good faith to finalize the agreement and build a strong partnership model with ANPA and Super Netball players.”

Netball’s governing body said it believed mediation would “delay the stability and certainty sought by all parties”.

“Under the latest offer, Netball Australia would increase its investment by $1.275 million – an increase of 20 per cent over the life of the three-year agreement – ​​in addition to the earning potential of a partnership model with profit sharing,” the press release added.

“This makes no prediction of a significant increase in revenue from the sport in the short term, given that the current broadcast deal runs until 2026,”

“Players would benefit from a nine percent base salary increase over three years, increased potential commercial income, playing opportunities and additional income with the introduction of recruits and, for the first time in netball, a share of Netball Australia’s profits generated by the Netball Super League. The maximum salary cap would also increase by 3 per cent.

“ANPA rejected this proposal.”