Netball Australia’s pay dispute series has reached a new low following revelations that some players are ‘sleeping in cars’ after receiving no wages for nine weeks.
Former Diamonds captain Kathryn Harby-Williams confirmed many Super Netball players are struggling as they face an uncertain future, while star defender and Australian Netball Players Association president Jo Weston broke down in tears in front of TV cameras on Thursday over the rawness of the situation go home.
Fellow Diamonds star Sophie Garbin also revealed that the Australian Cricketers Association has stepped in to help some players financially.
It comes as Netball Australia (NA) and the Players Association have been locked in a bitter pay dispute for much of the year, with the previous collective players agreement (CPA) set to expire on September 30.
NA offered a deal on Wednesday that would have resulted in a proposed 11 percent pay increase, but Garbin spoke for many of her co-stars when she said it was just a “publicity stunt” by the beleaguered governing body.
The pay dispute saga at Netball Australia has reached a new level following revelations that some players are ‘sleeping in cars’ after not receiving pay for nine weeks (pictured, defender Jo Weston)
The messy pay dispute comes just months after the Diamonds won the World Cup in South Africa (pictured, after beating England in the final)
“Essentially it’s what they offer all the time, and I think it’s a bit of a PR stunt to be honest,” she shared Broad sports world.
“They’ve come out and said they’re going to pay us, but it’s still not a partnership, it’s still not what we’ve been trying to achieve and what we’ve been asking for.
“But I think at the time I’ve seen it, they’ve been portrayed in quite a negative light, which they’re not going to be happy with.”
Harby Williams, who is also chief executive of the netball union, said the ongoing saga has taken its toll, with Weston’s tears in front of the cameras being a prime example.
“We’re desperate to get a deal for these players because that’s the emotional toll you see there,” she said.
“I’ve seen players sob and cry; players have slept in their cars; players had to leave their homes and move across the country to their families.
“That’s the toll it takes on these players. “It’s a very fair and reasonable deal (that we’re asking for).”
Netball Australia has reportedly threatened legal action against stars if they boycott the awards in Melbourne last Saturday – with members of the Diamonds team contractually obliged to attend
Courtney Bruce (pictured) was the big winner of the evening, taking home the Liz Ellis Diamond Award for the second time and also being named International Player of the Year
In a statement, Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan said the governing body had “listened to the players and their need for financial security at this time.”
“Thanks to this offer we have made, they can be paid immediately while we continue negotiations with ANPA on building a financial model for the league,” she said.
‘We hope that this provides all parties with the certainty and stability they are looking for.’
Last Saturday, many Superkorfball stars boycotted the sport’s major awards ceremony in Melbourne over the messy pay dispute.
Diamonds players only attended after being threatened with legal action by NA if they did not show up.
Liz Ellis, another Australian netball great, earlier this week expressed her disappointment that Diamonds players were forced to attend the ceremony for the award named after her.
“My disappointment and embarrassment at not being able to attend turned to anger when I was informed that current Diamonds players and their advisors were being threatened with possible legal action if they did not attend the dinner,” Ellis said Monday .
“As a former Diamonds captain, I cannot believe that the governing body of the sport I love would treat its Diamonds athletes, who are brilliant role models and ambassadors for netball, with such callous disregard.”
Australian netball great Liz Ellis earlier this week expressed her disappointment that Diamonds players were forced to attend the ceremony under threat of legal action
The sport has been in disarray since mining magnate Gina Rinehart withdrew her $15 million sponsorship from the Diamonds last October.
Donnell Wallam (pictured right) reportedly felt uncomfortable wearing the uniform with the Hancock Prospecting logo after comments made by Rinehart’s father Lang more than 40 years ago
Ellis also questioned the leadership at Netball Australia.
“So once again, netball is in the news for the wrong reasons: another crisis caused entirely by the sport itself,” she said.
‘These women [Super netball players] have not been paid for eight weeks. They fight for fair pay and conditions, not only for themselves, but also for the players who come after them.
“Questions need to be asked… and we need an immediate answer.”
The sport is in disarray after mining magnate Gina Rinehart withdrew her $15 million sponsorship from the Diamonds last October.
The team raised concerns at the time about comments made about First Nations people by Ms Rinehart’s late father Lang Hancock in the 1980s.
Indigenous player Donnell Wallam reportedly felt uncomfortable wearing the uniform with the Hancock Prospecting logo.